Guide · Fact · FPL, with FPL Tilt's view marked as such
How FPL defensive contributions work
The short answer
A player earns 2 FPL points when he reaches a set number of defensive actions in a match. A defender needs 10. A midfielder or forward needs 12, and more actions count for him. Goalkeepers cannot earn them.
| Position | Actions needed | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| Defender | 10 | Clearances, blocks, interceptions, tackles |
| Midfielder, forward | 12 | The same four, plus ball recoveries |
| Goalkeeper | None | Cannot earn these points |
The rules call these defensive contributions. DEFCON is the name managers use for them; it is not in the official rules.
How the count works
The actions are added together across the match. An example with invented numbers:
| Player | Actions | Total | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defender | 4 clearances, 3 blocks, 2 interceptions, 1 tackle | 10 | 2 |
| Defender | 4 clearances, 3 blocks, 1 interception, 1 tackle | 9 | 0 |
| Midfielder | 3 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 clearance, 6 recoveries | 12 | 2 |
Two points is the most a player can earn this way in a match. A defender with 20 actions gets the same 2 points as one with 10.
The figures can be corrected until the Gameweek is final, so a player on the line can gain the points or lose them after the match.
Why two points matter
A defender gets 4 points for a clean sheet and nothing from it if his team concedes. Defensive contributions do not depend on that. A defender in a team that concedes can still reach 10 actions, and 2 points is half a clean sheet.
The same actions can help in the bonus as well. Every three clearances, blocks or interceptions add to a player's score in the Bonus Points System, which is counted separately.
The other side
The line is a cliff: 9 actions earn nothing. Two defenders with almost the same match can finish 2 points apart, and one match proves little.
Midfielders and forwards need more actions for the same 2 points, so most of them will not reach the line in most matches. It is mainly a way of scoring for centre-backs and defensive midfielders.
Nor does it replace goals or clean sheets. A goal is worth 6 points to a defender and 5 to a midfielder.
When to weigh it
FPL Tilt's view: look at how often a player reaches the line over several matches, not at his best match. It matters most when you are choosing between two players at about the same price, and most of all for cheap defenders, who need a way of scoring beyond clean sheets.
It matters least for an attacking player you are buying for goals and assists.
See it for a player
Each player's page shows his defensive actions match by match against the line for his position, so you can see how often he reaches it. On match days, Live shows the points as they come in.
Rules as published by Fantasy Premier League for 2026/27, read on 30 October 2026.