NBA 2K18 Controls Guide (PS4 & Xbox One): Basic and Advanced Controls

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Complete NBA 2K18 controls, basic and advanced offense and defense, shooting, passing, dribbling, post play, on-ball defense, off-ball defense, etc. Here are NBA 2K18 controls for Xbox One & PS4:

NBA 2K18 Controls | NBA 2K19 Controls | NBA 2K20 Controls

To help you find the controls for skills that you want, the controls are organized by the links below:

Skip to:

Xbox One:

Basic Offense | Shooting | Dribbling | Passing | Post Moves | Post Shots | Off-Ball Offense | Advanced Offense | Basic Defense | On-Ball Defense | Off-Ball Defense

PS4:

Basic Offense | Shooting | Dribbling | Passing | Post Moves | Post Shots | Off-Ball Offense | Advanced Offense | Basic Defense | On-Ball Defense | Off-Ball Defense

XBOX ONE

 

BASIC OFFENSE

  • Left Stick – Move Player
  • Right Stick – Pro Stick: Dribble Moves / Shooting / Passing
  • LT – Post Up (hold) / Dribble Moves (tap/double tap)
  • RT – Sprint
  • LB – Call Play (tap) / Pick Control (hold)
  • RB – Icon Pass
  • A – Pass / Skip Pass (hold)
  • B – Bounce Pass (tap) / Flash Pass (double tap) / Receiver Control (hold)
  • X – Shoot (tap for Pump Fake / Hop)
  • Y – Overhead Skip Pass (tap) / Alley-oop (double tap) / Lead to Basket (hold)
  • Up on D-Pad – Gameplay HUD
  • Right on D-Pad – Point of Emphasis
  • Left on D-Pad – Offensive Strategies
  • Down on D-Pad – Substitutions
  • View – Timeout
  • Menu – Pause

 

SHOOTING

  • Jump Shot: Press and hold X or move and hold Right Stick (toward hoop for bank shot)
  • Hop Gather: Tap X while driving (Left Stick determines direction of hop)
  • Spin Gather: RT and Double Tap X while standing or driving
  • Runner / Floater: Move and hold Right Stick away from hoop (while driving close)
  • Normal Layup: Move and hold Right Stick toward hoop while driving (Right Stick determines finish hand)
  • Reverse Layup: Move and hold Right Stick toward baseline (while driving baseline)
  • Euro Step Layup – Move and hold Right Stick away from the hoop toward the off hand while driving or double tap X while holding Left Stick toward the off hand.
  • Cradle Layup: Move and hold Right Stick away from the hoop toward the ball hand while driving or double tap X while holding Left Stick toward the ball hand.
  • 2-Hand Dunk: RT + Move and hold Right Stick toward hoop (while driving)
  • Flashy Dunk: RT + Move and hold Right Stick away from hoop (while driving)
  • Dominant / Off-Hand Dunk: RT + Move and hold Right Stick left or right to dunk with that hand (while driving)
  • Mid-Air Change Shot: Start dunk/layup, move Right Stick in any direction while in the air
  • Pump Fake: Start a jump shot, then quickly release Right Stick
  • Step Through: Pump fake, then press and hold Right Stick again before pump fake ends
  • Putback Dunk / Layup: Move and hold Right Stick in any direction during an offensive rebound

 

DRIBBLING

  • Rhythm Dribble: Move Right Stick toward hoop then quickly release
  • In and Out: RT + Move Right Stick toward hoop then quickly release
  • Hesitation (Quick): Move Right Stick toward ball hand then quickly release
  • Hesitation (Escape): RT + Move Right Stick toward ball hand then quickly release
  • Crossover: Move Right Stick toward off hand, then quickly release
  • Crossover (Escape): RT + Move Right Stick toward off hand, then quickly release
  • Between Legs Cross: Move Right Stick between off hand and player’s back then quickly release
  • Behind Back: Move Right Stick away from hoop, then quickly release
  • Stepback: RT + Move Right Stick away from hoop, then quickly release
  • Spin: Rotate Right Stick from ball hand around player’s back, then quickly return to neutral
  • Half Spin: Rotate Right Stick in a quarter-circle from ball hand to hoop, then quickly return to neutral
  • Triple Threat Jab: Move Right Stick left or right then quickly release for a quick jab (hold RT for a hard jab)
  • Triple Threat Jab Then Pump Fake: Move Right Stick toward the hoop then quickly release
  • Triple Threat Pump Fake Then Jab: Move Right Stick away from the hoop then quickly release
  • Triple Threat Stepback: RT + Move Right Stick away from hoop, then quickly release
  • Triple Threat Spinout: Rotate Right Stick then quickly return to neutral

 

PASSING

  • Pass: A (Left Stick selects recipient)
  • Bounce Pass: B (Left Stick selects recipient)
  • Skip Pass: Press and hold A to throw a skip pass to further away teammates
  • Overhead Pass: Y (Left Stick select recipient)
  • Alley Oop: Double tap Y (Left Stick selects recipient, toward basket for oop-to-self)
  • Lead to Basket Pass: Press and hold Y (Left Stick select recipient) then release to pass
  • Flashy Pass: Double tap B (Left Stick select recipient)
  • Receiver Control: Press and hold B, use Left Stick to move the selected recipient then release B to pass
  • Icon Pass: Press RB then press action button of desired receiver
  • Fake Pass: Y + B (while standing or driving)
  • Rolling Inbound: Y during baseline inbounds
  • Give and Go: Press and hold A to retain control of passer, release A to receive the ball back
  • Pro Stick Pass: RB + Right Stick

 

BASIC DEFENSE

  • Left Stick – Move Player
  • Right Stick – Hands Up / Contest / Take Charge
  • LT – Intense D
  • RT – Sprint
  • LB – Defensive Strategies (tap) / Double Team (hold)
  • RB – Icon Swap
  • A – Player Swap (closest to ball)
  • B – Take Charge
  • X – Steal
  • Y – Block / Rebound
  • Up on D-Pad – Gameplay HUD
  • Right on D-Pad – Points of Emphasis
  • Left on D-Pad – Defensive Sets
  • Down on D-Pad – Substitutions
  • View – Intentional Foul
  • Menu – Pause

 

ON-BALL DEFENSE

  • Intense-D: Press and hold LT when in front of dribbler
  • Crowd Dribbler: Press and hold LT when near the dribbler
  • Fast Shuffle: Press and hold LT + RT, move Left Stick in any direction
  • Hands Up Defense: Move and hold Right Stick in any direction
  • Shot Contest: Move and hold Right Stick in any direction when near shooter (during shot)
  • Vertical Contest: Move and hold Left Stick away from the shooter and press Y
  • Swat Block: Hold RT and press Y
  • Take Charge: Press and hold B
  • Flop: While in take charge, release B, press B
  • Intentional Foul: Repeatedly press and hold X near ball handler (press View for Team Intentional Foul)
  • Double Team: Press and hold LB
  • Icon Double Team: Press LB, press and hold the action button of desired double teamer

 

OFF-BALL DEFENSE

  • Bump: Hold LT while impeding the path of the offensive player
  • Chuck: (while standing) LT + Right Stick flick towards offensive player
  • Grab: (while defender is running) Left Stick + Right Stick flick towards offensive player
  • Post Up / Ball Denial: Hold LT when near opponent (based on distance to basket)
  • Deny Hands Out: Right Stick in any direction
  • Ball Pressure: Right Stick press towards ball handler
  • Push: LT + Left Stick into defender (when posted off-ball)
  • Deny / Front Post: LT + Right Stick left/right (when posted off-ball)
  • Pull Chair in Post: Flick Right Stick in same direction as offensive player (when posted off-ball)

 

POST MOVES

  • Enter / Leave Post: Press and hold LT to post up, release LT to faceup
  • Quick Spin: Rotate Right Stick to outside shoulder
  • Hook Drive: Rotate Right Stick to inside shoulder
  • Fakes: Move Right Stick left or right then quickly release
  • Pick Up Dribble: Move Right Stick toward the hoop then quickly release
  • Switch Dribble Hand: Move Right Stick away from hoop then quickly release

 

POST SHOTS (SHOT STICK)

  • Post Hook: Right Stick left or right toward hoop (close range)
  • Post Fade: Right Stick left or right away from hoop (beyond close range)
  • Post Layup: Move and hold Right Stick left or right toward hoop (close range) while Left Stick is toward hoop
  • Shimmy Shot: RT + Right Stick away from hoop with Left Stick neutral
  • Shimmy Hook: RT + Right Stick toward hoop with Left Stick neutral
  • Post Hop: Left Stick left or right away from hoop, then tap X
  • Post Stepback: Left Stick away from hoop, then tap X
  • Dropstep: Left Stick left or right toward hoop, then tap X
  • Pump Fake: Start a shot listed above, then move Right Stick to neutral
  • Up and Under / Step Through: Pump fake, then Right Stick again before pump fake ends

 

OFF-BALL OFFENSE

  • Call for ball – A
  • Call for Alley-Oop: Double tap Y (while cutting toward hoop)
  • Set Screen: B
  • Call for Screen: Press and hold LB
  • Post Up: Hold LT (while standing or moving into defender)
  • Push: (while posted up) Left Stick
  • Spin: (while posted up) Right Stick twirl clockwise or counterclockwise
  • Walkdown: Left Stick + Right Stick towards defender

 

ADVANCED OFFENSE

  • Quick Playcall: Press LB, then use Right Stick to select a play from the menu
  • Positional Playcall: Press LB, then press teammate’s action button; choose play from menu
  • Basic Pick Control: Press and hold LB
  • Advanced Pick Control: Press and hold LB. Use RB to choose Roll vs. Fade and RT to choose pick side.
  • Icon Pick Control: Press LB, then press and hold the action button of desired screener
  • Slip Screen and Early Fade: Call for pick, then press LB again at any time before the screener gets hit to have him slip or fade early

 

PLAYSTATION 4

 

BASIC OFFENSE

  • Left Stick – Move Player
  • Right Stick – Pro Stick: Dribble Moves / Shooting / Passing
  • L2 – Post Up (hold) / Dribble Moves (tap/double tap)
  • R2 – Sprint
  • L1 – Call Play (tap) / Pick Control (hold)
  • R1 – Icon Pass
  • X – Pass / Skip Pass (hold)
  • Circle – Bounce Pass (tap) / Flash Pass (double tap) / Receiver Control (hold)
  • Square – Shoot (tap for Pump Fake / Hop)
  • Triangle – Overhead Skip Pass (tap) / Alley-oop (double tap) / Lead to Basket (hold)
  • Up on D-Pad – Gameplay HUD
  • Right on D-Pad – Point of Emphasis
  • Left on D-Pad – Offensive Strategies
  • Down on D-Pad – Substitutions
  • Click Touchpad – Timeout
  • Options – Pause

 

SHOOTING

  • Jump Shot: Press and hold Square or move and hold Right Stick (toward hoop for bank shot)
  • Hop Gather: Tap Square while driving (Left Stick determines direction of hop)
  • Spin Gather: R2 and Double Tap Square while standing or driving
  • Runner / Floater: Move and hold Right Stick away from hoop (while driving close)
  • Normal Layup: Move and hold Right Stick toward hoop while driving (Right Stick determines finish hand)
  • Reverse Layup: Move and hold Right Stick toward baseline (while driving baseline)
  • Euro Step Layup – Move and hold Right Stick away from the hoop toward the off hand while driving or double tap Square while holding Left Stick toward the off hand.
  • Cradle Layup: Move and hold Right Stick away from the hoop toward the ball hand while driving or double tap Square while holding Left Stick toward the ball hand.
  • 2-Hand Dunk: R2 + Move and hold Right Stick toward hoop (while driving)
  • Flashy Dunk: R2 + Move and hold Right Stick away from hoop (while driving)
  • Dominant / Off-Hand Dunk: R2 + Move and hold Right Stick left or right to dunk with that hand (while driving)
  • Mid-Air Change Shot: Start dunk/layup, move Right Stick in any direction while in the air
  • Pump Fake: Start a jump shot, then quickly release Right Stick
  • Step Through: Pump fake, then press and hold Right Stick again before pump fake ends
  • Putback Dunk / Layup: Move and hold Right Stick in any direction during an offensive rebound

 

DRIBBLING

  • Rhythm Dribble: Move Right Stick toward hoop then quickly release
  • In and Out: R2 + Move Right Stick toward hoop then quickly release
  • Hesitation (Quick): Move Right Stick toward ball hand then quickly release
  • Hesitation (Escape): R2 + Move Right Stick toward ball hand then quickly release
  • Crossover: Move Right Stick toward off hand, then quickly release
  • Crossover (Escape): R2 + Move Right Stick toward off hand, then quickly release
  • Between Legs Cross: Move Right Stick between off hand and player’s back then quickly release
  • Behind Back: Move Right Stick away from hoop, then quickly release
  • Stepback: R2 + Move Right Stick away from hoop, then quickly release
  • Spin: Rotate Right Stick from ball hand around player’s back, then quickly return to neutral
  • Half Spin: Rotate Right Stick in a quarter-circle from ball hand to hoop, then quickly return to neutral
  • Triple Threat Jab: Move Right Stick left or right then quickly release for a quick jab (hold R2 for a hard jab)
  • Triple Threat Jab Then Pump Fake: Move Right Stick toward the hoop then quickly release
  • Triple Threat Pump Fake Then Jab: Move Right Stick away from the hoop then quickly release
  • Triple Threat Stepback: R2 + Move Right Stick away from hoop, then quickly release
  • Triple Threat Spinout: Rotate Right Stick then quickly return to neutral

 

PASSING

  • Pass: X (Left Stick selects recipient)
  • Bounce Pass: Circle (Left Stick selects recipient)
  • Skip Pass: Press and hold X to throw a skip pass to further away teammates
  • Overhead Pass: Triangle (Left Stick select recipient)
  • Alley Oop: Double tap Triangle (Left Stick selects recipient, toward basket for oop-to-self)
  • Lead to Basket Pass: Press and hold Triangle (Left Stick select recipient) then release to pass
  • Flashy Pass: Double tap Circle (Left Stick select recipient)
  • Receiver Control: Press and hold Circle, use Left Stick to move the selected recipient then release Circle to pass
  • Icon Pass: Press R1 then press action button of desired receiver
  • Fake Pass: Triangle + Circle (while standing or driving)
  • Rolling Inbound: Triangle during baseline inbounds
  • Give and Go: Press and hold X to retain control of passer, release X to receive the ball back
  • Pro Stick Pass: R1 + Right Stick

 

BASIC DEFENSE

  • Left Stick – Move Player
  • Right Stick – Hands Up / Contest / Take Charge
  • L2 – Intense D
  • R2 – Sprint
  • L1 – Defensive Strategies (tap) / Double Team (hold)
  • R1 – Icon Swap
  • X – Player Swap (closest to ball)
  • Circle – Take Charge
  • Square – Steal
  • Triangle – Block / Rebound
  • Up on D-Pad – Gameplay HUD
  • Right on D-Pad – Points of Emphasis
  • Left on D-Pad – Defensive Sets
  • Down on D-Pad – Substitutions
  • Click Touchpad– Intentional Foul
  • Options – Pause

 

ON-BALL DEFENSE

  • Intense-D: Press and hold L2 when in front of dribbler
  • Crowd Dribbler: Press and hold L2 when near the dribbler
  • Fast Shuffle: Press and hold L2 + R2, move Left Stick in any direction
  • Hands Up Defense: Move and hold Right Stick in any direction
  • Shot Contest: Move and hold Right Stick in any direction when near shooter (during shot)
  • Vertical Contest: Move and hold Left Stick away from the shooter and press Triangle
  • Swat Block: Hold R2 and press Triangle
  • Take Charge: Press and hold Circle
  • Flop: While in take charge, release Circle, press Circle
  • Intentional Foul: Repeatedly press and hold Square near ball handler (press Touchpad for Team Intentional Foul)
  • Double Team: Press and hold L1
  • Icon Double Team: Press L1, press and hold the action button of desired double teamer

 

OFF-BALL DEFENSE

  • Bump: Hold L2 while impeding the path of the offensive player
  • Chuck: (while standing) L2 + Right Stick flick towards offensive player
  • Grab: (while defender is running) Left Stick + Right Stick flick towards offensive player
  • Post Up / Ball Denial: Hold L2 when near opponent (based on distance to basket)
  • Deny Hands Out: Right Stick in any direction
  • Ball Pressure: Right Stick press towards ball handler
  • Push: L2 + Left Stick into defender (when posted off-ball)
  • Deny / Front Post: L2 + Right Stick left/right (when posted off-ball)
  • Pull Chair in Post: Flick Right Stick in same direction as offensive player (when posted off-ball)

 

POST MOVES

  • Enter / Leave Post: Press and hold L2 to post up, release L2 to faceup
  • Quick Spin: Rotate Right Stick to outside shoulder
  • Hook Drive: Rotate Right Stick to inside shoulder
  • Fakes: Move Right Stick left or right then quickly release
  • Pick Up Dribble: Move Right Stick toward the hoop then quickly release
  • Switch Dribble Hand: Move Right Stick away from hoop then quickly release

 

POST SHOTS (SHOT STICK)

  • Post Hook: Right Stick left or right toward hoop (close range)
  • Post Fade: Right Stick left or right away from hoop (beyond close range)
  • Post Layup: Move and hold Right Stick left or right toward hoop (close range) while Left Stick is toward hoop
  • Shimmy Shot: R2 + Right Stick away from hoop with Left Stick neutral
  • Shimmy Hook: R2 + Right Stick toward hoop with Left Stick neutral
  • Post Hop: Left Stick left or right away from hoop, then tap Square
  • Post Stepback: Left Stick away from hoop, then tap Square
  • Dropstep: Left Stick left or right toward hoop, then tap Square
  • Pump Fake: Start a shot listed above, then move Right Stick to neutral
  • Up and Under / Step Through: Pump fake, then Right Stick again before pump fake ends

 

OFF-BALL OFFENSE

  • Call for ball – X
  • Call for Alley-Oop: Double tap Triangle (while cutting toward hoop)
  • Set Screen: Circle
  • Call for Screen: Press and hold L1
  • Post Up: Hold L2 (while standing or moving into defender)
  • Push: (while posted up) Left Stick
  • Spin: (while posted up) Right Stick twirl clockwise or counterclockwise
  • Walkdown: Left Stick + Right Stick towards defender

 

ADVANCED OFFENSE

  • Quick Playcall: Press L1, then use Right Stick to select a play from the menu
  • Positional Playcall: Press L1, then press teammate’s action button; choose play from menu
  • Basic Pick Control: Press and hold L1
  • Advanced Pick Control: Press and hold L1. Use R1 to choose Roll vs. Fade and R2 to choose pick side.
  • Icon Pick Control: Press L1, then press and hold the action button of desired screener
  • Slip Screen and Early Fade: Call for pick, then press L1 again at any time before the screener gets hit to have him slip or fade early

 

PC CONTROLS

*Unconfirmed

DIRECTIONAL MOVEMENT

W – Move player up
A – Move player left
S – Move player down
D – Move player right

OFFENSE

NumPad 1 – Bounce pass
NumPad 2, 4, 6 & 8 – Dribbling moves according to where you want to dribble
NumPad 3 – Alley Oop
Spacebar – Chest pass
Enter – Sprint
Left Shift – Backdown or post-up
NumPad 5 – Shoot
Tab – Call pick
Note: You can also use NumPad 2, 4, 6 and 8 for shoot if you pressed the key/s longer.

DEFENSE

Spacebar – Switch players
Enter – Sprint
NumPad 3 – Jump or block
NumPad 5 – Steal
NumPad 2, 4, 6 & 8 – Intense defense

GAME MENU

Arrow keys – Menu navigation
Spacebar – Select
NumPad 1 – Go back
NumPad 2 – Continue
NumPad 3 – Apply changes
NumPad 4 – Load default
Escape – Exit

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