29 Apr 2022 6:38 PM +00:00 UTC

NBA 2K22 Controls Guide: Nail these dunks and dribble moves to prep for success

For new players and veterans of the series alike, our NBA 2K22 controls guide is here to help you show out on the court.

Latest - NBA 2K22 revealed for Xbox Game Pass May Lineup
NBA 2K22 Controls Guide: Player Specific Dribble Moves, Dunks, and more
General Controls

Whether there's a specific type of move you're struggling with or you just need a refresher, we've got all the info you need here about the various NBA 2K22 controls across PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.

Latest - NBA 2K22 revealed for Xbox Game Pass May Lineup

NBA 2K22 is still thriving with tons of new MyTEAM content every week and massive new Seasons along the way.

But while the playerbase has been steady so far, there will be some new players to NBA 2K22 next month, as the game has been confirmed for the Xbox Game Pass May lineup!

For any new players looking to take over in NBA 2K22, make sure to take advantage of all of the controls you'll need below.

NBA 2K22 Controls Guide: Player Specific Dribble Moves, Dunks, and more

There are tons of new moves being brought to NBA 2K22 this year. Dribbling, passing, and shooting are going to get major upgrades and players will have to get used to the changes once again.

We have player specific controls in one place so you can find out how to hesitate like Kevin Durant, throw down a Flashy Dunk like Lebron James, and float a pass like Trae Young.

NBA 2K22 Dribble Moves

With new combinations in NBA 2K22, stay ahead of the competition by mixing some of these dribble moves into your arsenal.

NBA 2K22 Passing Controls

Elite passing is going to build your team's chemistry in NBA 2K22, you'll have to be careful when using some of these passes. Wouldn't want to turn over the ball, would you?

Action	PS4 / PS5 Controls	Xbox One / Series X Controls
Normal Pass	Press X	Press A
Bounce Pass	Press O	Press B
Lob Pass	Press Triangle	Press Y
Skip Pass	Hold X to target a receiver further away	Hold A to target a receiver further away
Fake Pass	Triangle + O while standing or driving to the basket	B + Y while standing or driving to the basket
Jump Pass	Square + X while standing or driving to the basket	A + X while standing or driving to the basket
Icon Pass	Press R1 then press the icon button of the desired receiver	Press RB then press the icon button of the desired receiver
Flashy Pass	Double tap O	Double tap B to pass
Alley-oop	Double tap Triangle	Double tap Y
Alley-oop to Self	Double tap triangle + move LS to the hoop	Double tap Y + move LS to the hoop
Lead to Basket Pass	Press & hold triangle to make the selected receiver cut to the basket. Then Release to pass.	Press & hold Y to make the selected receiver cut to the basket. Then Release to pass.
Full Receiver Control	Press & hold O to freely move the selected receiver with LS. Release O to pass.	Press & hold B to freely move the selected receiver with LS. Release B to pass.
Touch Pass	Press X before the first receiver gets the ball (Use LS to select the second receiver)	Press A before the first receiver gets the ball (Use LS to select the second receiver)
Pro Stick Pass	Press & hold R1 + move RS in the desired pass direction	Press & hold RB + move RS in the desired pass direction
Give and Go	Press & hold X until the receiver catches the ball. Hold X & use LS to move the initial passer. Release X to get the ball back	Press & hold A until the receiver catches the ball. Hold A & use LS to move initial passer. Release A to get the ball back.
Rolling Inbound	Press triangle during baseline inbounds	Press Y during baseline inbounds

NBA 2K22 Shooting Controls & Dunks

Last but certainly not least are the shooting controls in NBA 2K22. Shooting got a massive overhaul this year, including a new shot meter.

Action	PS4 / PS5 Controls	Xbox One / Series X Controls
Jump Shot	Press & hold Square then release	Press & hold Y then release
Free Throw	Press & hold square then release(when at the line)	Press and hold Y then release(when at the line)
Layup	Move & hold RS up(when driving)	Move & hold RS up(when driving)
Runner / Floater	Move & hold RS down while driving	Move & hold RS down while driving
Reverse Layup	Move & hold the RS right(while driving along the baseline)	Move & hold the RS right(while driving along the baseline)
Euro Step Layup	Double tap square while driving & hold LS towards the off hand	Double tap Y while driving & hold the LS towards the off hand
Cradle Layup	Double tap square when driving & hold LS towards the ball hand	Double tap Y when driving & hold LS towards the ball hand
Two-Hand Dunk	R2 + move & hold RS up while driving to basket	RT + move & hold RS up while driving to basket
Dominant or Off-Hand Dunk	R2 + move & hold RS up, left or right in close range	RT + move & hold RS up, left or right in close range
Flashy Dunk	R2 + move & hold RS down when driving, release to finish dunk	RT + move & hold RS down when driving, release to finish dunk
Pump Fake	Tap Square	Tap Y
Hop Gather	Tap Square while dribbling with L deflected	Tap Y while dribbling with L deflected
Spin Gather	Hold R2 + double tap Square	Hold RT + double tap Y
Half Spin Gather	Rotate RS in a quarter-circle from right to up then hold while driving with ball in right hand	Rotate RS in a quarter-circle from right to up then hold while driving with ball in right hand
Step Through	Near basket, pump fake, then press & hold square	Near basket, pump fake, then press & hold Y
Putback	Press square when attempting an offensive rebound	Press Y when attempting an offensive rebound

General Controls

Getting familiar with the controls on offense is going to be more important than ever before with the new dribble moves in NBA 2K22. But before you get to using the Pro Stick, you'll need to master your basics.

Here are all the offensive controls for NBA 2K22 you'll need when you've got the rock:

On-Ball Offense Controls

Since the Pro Stick is going to be so important this year, make sure you pay attention to the layout and study it well.

BACK TO BASICS: Although the controls seem simple, be sure to study the NBA 2K22 controls guide

Action	PS4 / PS5 Controls	Xbox One / Series X Controls
Pass	X	A
Bounce Pass	Circle	B
Lob Pass	Triangle	Y
Shoot	Square or RS	X or RS
Sprint	R2	RT
Icon Pass	R1 (choose receiver)	RB (choose receiver)
Call Timeout / Coaches Challenge	Touch Pad	Back Button
Move Player	LS	LS
Pro Stick	RS	RS
On the Fly Coaching	Arrow-Pad	Arrow-Pad
Call Play	L1	LB
Post Up	L2	LT

Off-Ball Offense Controls

Controlling the offense when you don't have the ball in NBA 2K22 is going to be just as important as when you do.

The off ball controls in NBA 2K22 — MAKE A MOVE: Use these tools to get open when not controlling the ball

MAKE A MOVE: Use these tools to get open when not controlling the ball

Action	PS4 / PS5 Controls	Xbox One / Series X Controls
Call For Pass	X	A
Quick Screen	O	B
Tell Teammate To Shoot	Square	X
Call For Alley-oop	Triangle	Y
Sprint	R2	RT
Call Timeout / Coach’s Challenge	Touch Pad	Back Button
Call for Screen	L1	LB
Post Up	L2	LT
On the Fly Coaching	Arrow-Pad	Arrow-Pad
Move Player	LS	LS
Pro Stick	RS	RS

Defense Controls

The defense will be just as critical to your understanding this year so here's a guide to help you figure out every move you can make on defense.

Defensive controls in NBA 2K22 — LOCK UP: Play elite level defense by getting familiar with the controls in NBA 2K22

LOCK UP: Play elite level defense by getting familiar with the controls in NBA 2K22

Action	PS4 / PS5	Xbox One / Xbox Series X\|S
Move Player	LS	LS
Hands Up	RS	RS
Player Swap	X	A
Take Charge	O	B
Block/Rebound	Triangle	Y
Steal	Square	X
Sprint	R2	RT
Icon Swap	R1	RB
Double Team	L1	LB
Intense Defense	L2	LT
Intentional Foul	Touch Pad	Back Button
On the Fly Coaching	Arrow Pad	Arrow Pad

For more articles like this, take a look at our NBA 2K page.