Defensive GK

GoalkeeperStill being reviewed

In one sentence

A cautious keeper: comes for balls in behind only when clearly first (0.85 s ahead), only within the six-yard-box width, stands at most 4 m off his line and steps out less. Shot-stopping is unchanged.

Who does this affect?

Only while the computer controls the keeper. Found on: GK only. On cards: 1,093 keepers in the defensive style field plus 20 in the main field of the mobile card data.

How it works

The computer sends a Defensive GK for a through ball or loose ball only if he reaches it 0.85 s before the attacker (0.65 s without a style), and only within 9.2 m either side of the goal centre (14.6 m without a style). His standing position is held within 4 m of his goal, and in close situations he steps out only distance/24, at most 1.5 m. No keeper stat is read differently.

When it applies

Only when he is in goal.
Through balls, loose balls behind the defence and his standing position.

Without it

A keeper without a style needs a 0.65 s margin, comes out 14.6 m wide, may stand up to 15 m from goal, and steps out up to 3 m.

Which stats it reads

GK Awareness sets how strong

Gives every keeper up to 10° extra angle tolerance in the flight-path check ((1 − GK Awareness/99) × 10°); not changed by the style.

Common questions

Does a Defensive GK save more shots because he stays on his line?

Short answerNo

No shot-stopping code reads the style; it only limits when and how far he comes out and where he stands.

Will he still come for through balls?

Short answerYes

But only when he is 0.85 s ahead of the attacker and within the six-yard-box width.

The maths

ConditionKeeper styles are read only for the player in goal (their compatible position is GK); outfield players are never affected.

StepComing for a through ball or loose ball: the computer compares his arrival time with the attacker's. He goes if he gets there first by a safety margin: 0.45 s with Attacking GK or Sweeper GK, 0.65 s with no keeper style, 0.85 s with Defensive GK (all halved when the ball is inside his six-yard area).

LimitHow wide he will come out for it: up to 20.1 m either side of the goal centre (penalty-box width) with Attacking GK or Sweeper GK, 14.6 m with no style, 9.2 m (six-yard-box width) with Defensive GK.

LimitStanding distance from his goal (towards the ball): at most 15 m for every keeper except a Sweeper GK in his far-ball mode (up to 42 m); a Defensive GK at most 4 m. While the opponents have the ball the limit is further cut to 4–13 m depending on how far away the ball is (30–60 m).

StepStepping out from his spot towards the ball in close situations: Defensive GK 1/24 of the distance (max 1.5 m), no style 1/10 (max 3 m), Attacking/Sweeper GK 1/6 + 1.1 m (max 4 m).

StepGoing for a ball on its flight path: Attacking/Sweeper GK accept a 43° angle window instead of 48° in one check and get 10 % more time, plus a lateral limit of 17.1 m in one branch.

DetailNot used by this style: GK Catching, Parrying, Reflexes and Reach are not read by the style's checks.; No stat is raised by the style.

Booster points per stat

GK AwarenessBooster points do not count beyond 99 here.

Stats it reads

GK Awareness