Defensive Contributions
Defensive contributions are FPL's official count of clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles, plus ball recoveries for midfielders and forwards.
Why it matters. Defenders, midfielders and forwards can earn two extra FPL points for reaching their position's threshold in a match.
Figures built on licensed professional event data. Where the data comes from. Reviewed . Example figures, when shown, carry their own season and data date.
| Position | Qualifying actions | Threshold | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defender | Clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles | 10 in one match | 2 |
| Midfielder or forward | Clearances, blocks, interceptions, tackles and ball recoveries | 12 in one match | 2 |
| Goalkeeper | Not eligible | - | - |
The award is capped at two points per match. More actions beyond the threshold do not earn another defensive contribution award. These points are separate from the one to three points awarded through the Bonus Points System.
The official actions that count
FPL combines four actions for defenders: clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles. The shorthand CBIT comes from their first letters. Midfielders and forwards also count ball recoveries, producing CBIRT.
- Clearances. Removing the ball from a dangerous area.
- Blocks. Stopping an opponent's shot.
- Interceptions. Cutting out an opponent's pass.
- Tackles. Winning the ball in a tackle recorded by FPL.
- Ball recoveries. Regaining a loose ball and securing possession. These count only for midfielders and forwards.
Official tackles and the separate event-data measure called defensive duels won are not interchangeable. Use the official DefCon figure when applying the FPL scoring threshold.
Average volume is not hit frequency
Illustrative example. A defender records 18 contributions in one match and six in the next. That is an average of 12 per match, but the defender reaches the ten-action threshold only once and earns one two-point award.
A season total shows accumulated volume. A per-match average smooths that volume across appearances. Neither tells you how often the player actually reached the threshold. Use DefCon hit rate for that question.
Use the count for FPL decisions
Start with threshold hits when you want to know how often a player earned the two points. Then check the total and minutes played for context. A high total can come from frequent threshold matches, heavy activity in a smaller number of matches, or simply more playing time.
Do not read the count as an overall judgement of defensive quality. It records specific actions under FPL's scoring rules. Clean sheets, attacking returns and Bonus Points System awards remain separate routes to points.
FAQ
Clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles count for defenders. Ball recoveries also count for midfielders and forwards. These are FPL's official published figures.
Forwards are eligible for defensive contribution points. Their clearances, blocks, interceptions, tackles and ball recoveries all count towards the 12-action threshold.
That is how FPL defines the position-specific rule. Defenders use clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles, while midfielders and forwards also include ball recoveries.
Not on its own. It records qualifying defensive activity, not overall defensive quality. Use the official total alongside minutes played and the player's match-by-match hit rate.
No. Tackles are one of four qualifying actions for defenders and one of five for midfielders and forwards. A separate event-data measure such as defensive duels won is not the official FPL tackle count.
No. Reaching the defensive contribution threshold earns two FPL points. The separate Bonus Points System awards one to three points to the highest-rated players in a match.
Where the method comes from
Related terms
See DefCon across the Premier League
Every player, team and match measured on the chances created rather than the scoreline.