NBA 2K25 Controls Guide

Jayson Tatum in NBA 2K25

Jayson Tatum in NBA 2K25

NBA 2K25 is here, and players can finally experience the new title in the NBA 2K franchise, which introduces many new features.

However, before jumping onto the court, players should learn everything about the NBA 2K25 controls.

Mastering the game's controls is crucial, as it will give players an advantage over opponents, and secure them many wins on MyTEAM and MyCAREER.

NBA 2K25 Controls

Two new shooting controls, and a defensive one, were introduced in NBA 2K25. But apart from that, all of the controls are very similar to last year, so veteran NBA 2K players should be used to most of the controls.

Jayson Tatum in NBA 2K25
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However, for new players, NBA 2K controls can seem a little bit overwhelming, especially when it comes to dribbling or shooting moves. This guide will explain everything about these controls, in a very detailed yet easy way to understand.

So let's get right into it.

NBA 2K25 Offense Controls

It's impossible to win games in NBA 2K25 without a good offense. While it's true that defense wins championships, a competent offense is also required to win anything in NBA 2K25.

Knowing how to perform dribble moves that will create separation from the defender, being able to perform various shoot moves, and knowing how to call for a screen or other plays, is crucial in NBA 2K25.

Mastering the offense controls in NBA 2K25 will make players much harder to guard while making scoring a much easier task. This can help players in pressure situations where they desperately need a bucket.

NBA 2K25 Stephen Curry
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There are three types of offense controls in NBA 2K25, on-ball offense, off-ball offense, and advanced offense. These controls include mechanics from the passing, shooting, and dribbling features.

All of the offense controls are important to learn, but the on-ball and off-ball offense ones are especially important.

Without further ado, let's learn all of the NBA 2K25 offense controls.

On-Ball Offense Controls

NBA 2K25 Offense Controls
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Activity
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S Controls
PS4 / PS5 Controls
Move Player
Left Stick
Left Stick
Pro Stick
Right Stick
Right Stick
On The Fly Coaching
Directional Pad
Directional Pad
Call Play
LB
L1
Post Up
LT
L2
Call Timeout / Coach's Challenge
View Button
Share Button
Pause
Menu Button
Menu Button
Sprint
RT
R2
Icon Pass
RB
R1
Shoot
X / Pro Stick
Square / Pro Stick
Lob Pass
Y
Triangle
Bounce Pass
B
O
Pass
A
X

Off-Ball Offense Controls

NBA 2K25 Off-Ball Offense Controls
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Activity
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S Controls
PS4 / PS5 Controls
Move Player
Left Stick
Left Stick
Pro Stick
Right Stick
Right Stick
On The Fly Coaching
Directional Pad
Directional Pad
Call For Screen
LB
L1
Post Up
LT
L2
Call Timeout / Coach's Challenge
View Button
Share Button
Pause
Menu Button
Menu Button
Sprint
RT
R2
Tell Teammate To Shoot
X
Square
Call For Alley-oop
Y
Triangle
Quick Screen
B
O
Call For Pass
A
X

Advanced Offense Controls

NBA 2K25 Advanced Offense Controls
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Activity
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S Controls
PS4 / PS5 Controls
Call Timeout
View Button while on offense
Share Button while on offense
Coach's Challenge
Press View Button after a foul or violation
Press Share Button after a foul or violation
Positional Playcalling
Press LB then press the teammate's button. Then choose a play from the on-screen overlay menu.
Press L1 then press the teammate's button. Then choose a play from the on-screen overlay menu.
Post Up
Press the right button on the Directional Pad to select the best post scorer in the team.
Press the right button on the Directional Pad to select the best post scorer in the team.
Quick Isolation
Press the right button on the Directional Pad to select the best isolation scorer in the team.
Press the right button on the Directional Pad to select the best isolation scorer in the team.
Pick Control Basic
Press and hold LB to have a teammate set a pick
Press and hold L1 to have a teammate set a pick
Pick Control Side
Press and hold LB. Use the Left Stick to choose the pick side
Press and hold L1. Use the Left Stick to choose the pick side
Pick Control Roll or Fade
Press and hold LB. Use RB to choose Roll or Fade
Press and hold L1. Use R1 to choose Roll or Fade
Slip Screen and Early Fade
Once a pick is called, press LB before the screener gets hit to have them Slip or Fade early
Once a pick is called, press L1 before the screener gets hit to have them Slip or Fade early
Icon Pick Control
Press LB, then press and hold the teammate's button to have them set the screen
Press L1, then press and hold the teammate's button to have them set the screen
Running Baseline
Hold LT and use Right Stick to move the inbouder
Hold L2 and use Right Stick to move the inbouder

As mentioned above, all of these controls are important and need to be mastered. However, controls such as pick control, positional playcalling, and all of the different passing mechanics are especially important.

These controls will help players quickly call plays, choose the best passing method to get the ball to the open player, call screens, and choose pick sides, which can generate easy looks, and create a mismatch players can explore.

NBA 2K25 Defense Controls

Defense is a pillar of NBA 2K, and in NBA 2K25 it's more important than ever. With the new Cutoff Step mechanic, players have more ways than ever to stop ball-handling opponents, making defense more impactful and also fun.

When it comes to defense controls, there are three types, on-ball, off-ball, and advanced defense. Advanced defense mechanics are included in both the on-ball and off-ball defense controls.

Defense in NBA 2K25
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Some players prefer to play on-ball defense, while others like to use off-ball defense and let the AI handle the ball handler. However, both are equally important and to have success in NBA 2K25 players should at least be proficient in the two.

Let's learn all of the defense controls in NBA 2K25.

On-Ball Defense Controls

NBA 2K25 On-Ball Defense Controls
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Activity
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S Controls
PS4 / PS5 Controls
Move Player
Left Stick
Left Stick
Hands Up
Right Stick Up
Right Stick Up
On The Fly Coaching
Directional Pad
Directional Pad
Double Team
LB
L1
Intense-D
LT
L2
Intentional Foul
View Button
Share Button
Pause
Menu Button
Menu Button
Sprint
RT
R2
Icon Swap
RB
R1
Steal
X / moving the Left Stick left or right
Square / moving the Left Stick left or right
Block / Rebound
Y
Triangle
Take Charge
B
O
Player Swap
A
X
Crowd Dribbler
Hold LT and move the Left Stick toward the dribbler
Hold L2 and move the Left Stick toward the dribbler
Cutoff Step
While holding LT in an defensive stance, tap the Right Stick in any direction to quickly cutoff the dribbler
While holding L2 in an defensive stance, tap the Right Stick in any direction to quickly cutoff the dribbler
Fast Shuffle
Press and hold LT + RT, and move the Left Stick in any direction
Press and hold L2 + R2, and move the Left Stick in any direction
Shot Contest
Hold the Right Stick up when near a shooter
Hold the Right Stick up when near a shooter
Vertical Contest
Hold the Left Stick away from the shooter and press Y
Hold the Left Stick away from the shooter and press Triangle
Swat Block
Hold RT and Press Y
Hold R2 and Press Triangle

Off-Ball Defense Controls

NBA 2K25 Off-Ball Defense Controls
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Activity
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S Controls
PS4 / PS5 Controls
Move Player
Left Stick
Left Stick
Hands Up
Right Stick Up
Right Stick Up
On The Fly Coaching
Directional Pad
Directional Pad
Double Team
LB
L1
Intense-D
LT
L2
Intentional Foul
View Button
Share Button
Pause
Menu Button
Menu Button
Sprint
RT
R2
Icon Swap
RB
R1
Steal
X / moving the Left Stick left or right
Square / moving the Left Stick left or right
Block / Rebound
Y
Triangle
Take Charge
B
O
Player Swap
A
X
Shot Contest
Hold the Right Stick up when near a shooter
Hold the Right Stick up when near a shooter
Vertical Contest
Hold the Left Stick away from the shooter and press Y
Hold the Left Stick away from the shooter and press Triangle
Swat Block
Hold RT and Press Y
Hold R2 and Press Triangle
Box Out Opponent
Hold LT and use Left Stick to stay in front of the opponent
Hold L2 and use Left Stick to stay in front of the opponent
Bump
Hold LT while impeding the path of the offensive player
Hold L2 while impeding the path of the offensive player
Deny Hands Out
Move and hold Right Stick in any direction when near an opponent
Move and hold Right Stick in any direction when near an opponent
Deny Engage
Hold LT when near an opponent while out in the perimeter
Hold L2 when near an opponent while out in the perimeter
Post Up Engage
Hold LT when near an opponent while inside near the basket
Hold L2 when near an opponent while inside near the basket
Post Push
Hold LT to engage in the post. Move Right Stick toward the offensive player
Hold L2 to engage in the post. Move Right Stick toward the offensive player
Post Pull Chair
Hold LT to engage in the post. Move Right Stick in the same direction the offensive player is pushing.
Hold L2 to engage in the post. Move Right Stick in the same direction the offensive player is pushing.
Post Transition
Hold LT to engage in the post. Move Right Stick in any direction
Hold L2 to engage in the post. Move Right Stick in any direction
Post Fight for Position
Hold LT to engage in the post. Move Right Stick up or down when the offensive player attempts to transition.
Hold L2 to engage in the post. Move Right Stick up or down when the offensive player attempts to transition.
Post Steal Entry Pass
Hold LT to engage in the post. Press X as the ball is being passed in.
Hold L2 to engage in the post. Press Square as the ball is being passed in.
Post Disengage
Move Left Stick away from the offensive player.
Move Left Stick away from the offensive player.
Dive for Loose Ball
Press X repeadtefly while chasing down a loose ball
Press Square repeadtefly while chasing down a loose ball
Emote (MyCAREER Only)
Press down on the Directional Pad
Press down on the Directional Pad
Acknowledge Teammate
Double tap B to pint towards an assister, scorer, or neaby teammate after a highlight play
Double tap O to pint towards an assister, scorer, or neaby teammate after a highlight play

Advanced Defense Controls

NBA 2K25 Advanced Defense Controls
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Activity
Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S Controls
PS4 / PS5 Controls
Intentional Foul
Press and hold X when near the ball handler
Press and hold Square when near the ball handler
Double Team
Press and hold LB
Press and hold L1
Icon Double Team
Press LB, then press the desired double teamer's button.
Press L1, then press the desired double teamer's button.
Team Intentional Foul
Press View Button
Press Share Button
Defensive Pressure Adjustments
Press LB, then press the desired defender button. Select a defensive strategy from the menu.
Press L1, then press the desired defender button. Select a defensive strategy from the menu.

These controls will help players lockdown opponents, making it incredibly hard to score, be it from deep, close range, post-up plays, drives to the basket, and more.

Mastering how to contest shots, block shots, steal the ball, force players to their worst hand, and rebound, is very important, as they are some of the most impactful mechanics in the game.

As with everything, practice makes perfect, and the best way to master the NBA 2K25 controls is by going to the new Learn 2K feature, and practicing until they become second nature.

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