Often times when an opponent gets a lead they like to pass the ball around in the back and kill the clock. The reason this can be so effective is that most formations have 2 strikers, and most formations have 4 defenders. When you add your keeper into the mix, you have 5 players to knock the ball around to avoid two attackers. I've literally seen guys waste 20 minutes of clock time doing this. In addition, it just doesn't make sense to let your opponent have time to pick out runs upfield. The solution is Total Pressure.
Total Pressure is one of the d-pad strategies that you can use in FIFA 08. Don't bother looking in the manual for this, because it isn't there. Basically, there are four in-game strategic options that allow you to change the way your players react on the pitch. Total Pressure in a strategy that isn't used enough, and everyone should incorporate this into their game.
Quick Setup
Step 1 - When your opponent has the ball, push down on the d-pad to trigger total pressure. (It works best if used when your opponent has the ball on their own half of the field)
Play Breakdown
Notice in the image to the left there is only one offensive player. You can see four defenders and the goalkeeper to make it a 5 v 1 scenario. To the right, we see that the central defender has passed the pass to the other central defender. The lone striker knows that chasing the ball is not going to work if he's chasing by himself.
To the left you see the team strategy icon show up. We've hit down on the d-pad to trigger total pressure. Notice that there are now four defenders chasing the ball. The ball is now with the right back, and he decides to take a dribble upfield. In the image to the right you can see that after just one dribble there are six offensive players in the image. By using the Total Pressure strategy, all the defenders close down on the ball and stay closer to the man. This means that all passes will be tougher to complete.
The right back realizes there is no one open and decides to pass the ball back to his central defender. The pressure is intense now, as the defense is closing in on the ball and filling passing lanes. Notice in the image to the right that when the center back receives the ball, there are only two options -- pass back to the keeper or clear the ball. If he tries passing to the other center back there is a good chance of a turnover.
Because the center back pauses slightly, the striker was able to come in and tackle the ball away. This leads to a great goal scoring opportunity.
The striker makes one move and slots the ball into the back of the net for an easy goal.
Key Points
Total Pressure works brilliantly against opponents who like to pass horizontally across the pitch. However, if your opponent makes tactical vertical passes there is a chance to give up a breakaway going the other way. This typically only happens if your opponent has a speedy striker. However, because so many people play with Barcelona you need to be careful. Your first priority should be to tackle the ball and prevent vertical passes.
Final Thoughts
Total Pressure should is a mandatory tactic to learn if you want to steal the ball from an opponent who likes to kill the clock. In addition, it can change the timing of passes for your opponent and keep them off balance. Make sure to practice this technique and create more goal scoring opportunities.
