I've worked extensively with closing down and it's the key to my defensive success. I reckon I can get any back 4 to be watertight in no time. I close down depending on my formation/tactic. As a general rule, if I am home I close down, if I'm away, I sit back and counter.
Back Four
All of my defenders are just that—defenders. I don't distinguish too much between my full backs and centre backs. I generally manage poorer teams and I feel that it is suicidal to play with attacking full backs because it leaves you susceptible to the counter. My closing down for my defenders is set to the first rarely to the left if that makes sense. This is the prime position I have noticed since it gives your defence just enough leeway to back off and allows them to close down at just the right time.
Note:
The manual states that closing down is split up (from right to left if you split the slider scale into three points) so that all the way to the right means close down in opponents half, the middle means close down from the halfway line, and all the way to the left means close down in own area. I tend to prefer this than close down often, sometimes, and rarely.
With forward runs set to rarely, I notice I always have a solid back 4 that closes down the opponents at just the right time. I could discuss mentalities, defensive line etc. but this is a closing down post.
Midfield
Home
My formation does not change whether I am home or away, but my closing down does. I play a 4-3-3 with two anchors (DM position) and 1 midfielder (CM position). As a rule I only sign determined and fit players for my midfield because I demand a lot from them. My CM closes down always (far right) and my two DMs are set to normal. I like my CM to be a maniac presser, and this is possible only due to the two DMs behind him. I have a constant base of 6 players defending (my back 4 and 2 DMs) so it's worth applying this pressure.
Away
My midfield maniac is still set to close down often (all the way to the right) but my two DMs are set to rarely (first rarely to the left). I have noticed that it's a nightmare for the opposition to break me down when I play away due to that bank of 6, and I'm lethal on the break (Keogh, Kennedy from Boro, and Sharp up top. I'm S****horpe by the way).
Strikers
Closing down set to often (all the way to the right). My philosophy is that there is absolutely nothing to lose by doing this since you have everything to gain by closing down the opposition's defenders. It's amazing how many goals I get from stealing the ball from an old and blushing centre back, or from that goalkeeper who has a touch like Claus Thomsen.
Closing down is a huge part of the game and is one tactical instruction that really depends on your formation. It's vital that you work out the implications of having a player press. In other words, will that player have support should he be dragged out of position? I've never liked closing down in centre mid with a flat midfield for example. Another thing to consider is your opponent. It's no good stepping off a weaker team at home who are going to try and keep the ball. Get at them at home and force them into mistakes. On the other hand, if you press a superior team away from home, it's likely they are going to ping the ball around you and take advantage of those gaping holes. Then again, if you have players with high teamwork, determination, stamina, work rate, decisions, and positioning, then it just may be possible. Attributes are a huge part of it too. Never overlook the attributes
I have not lost a game with my formation and I am sitting pretty at the top of D1 with S****horpe after 15 games. I have conceded only 9 goals and my most memorable match was the last one I played away from Swansea and it was a prime example of closing down. It was 2-2 in the 90th minute, and I think Tate was dallying on the ball. Out of nowhere, my forward 3 closed him down and he had nowhere to go. The only option he decided was to turn and he played it back to his keeper who in turn proceeded to let the ball go through his legs and into the onion bag. I couldn't but let out a scream of delight which startled the wife no end. Closing down can win you games...
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