Welcome back for another NBA 2K tutorial. Today, we’re gonna talk about one of the most basic basics: the dribble. With this year’s changes to the stamina system, controlling the ball while you dribble is more important than it’s ever been. We’ll be going over the changes to dribbling, the combinations you can pull off to get by your opponent, on the fly adjustments you should make and when to use each move for success in NBA 2K23.
NBA 2K23: Dribbling for Beginners
Attack With A Purpose
Dribbling is all about getting defenders out of position and attacking from there. You never want to do moves just to do them. So it’s important to first know when that actually happens, which is why focusing on the free throw line as the destination you need to get to before the defender has helped make me a way more efficient dribbler and able to counter better because I know I won’t be able to drive because the defender is about to cut me off.
Now lets go over the dribble moves we have at our disposal.
Crossover
A crossover dribble works because the sudden change of direction can get you by the defender in an instant. You want to only use this move when the defender is about to block off your initial angle and activate it before you get too close to the defender we’re their able to steal it from you.
Controls: Flick the right stick up
Between The Legs Cross
This protects the ball better against defenders that are trying to cut you off or playing super aggressive when your on the move because you use your body as a shield. So as a result your able to use this move when defenders are very close to you.
Controls: Flick the right stick left or right (towards your non ball hand)
Behind the Back
This protects the ball the best from defenders whether you’re in a stationary position or while on the move. Using this while on the move will allow you to cover a lot of ground the other way to open you up for a shot, so it’s important to have your players momentum already be heading towards the hoop as it lunges you forward with the ball when you attempt it .
Controls: Flick the right stick down/left or down/right (towards your non ball hand)
Explosive Behind the Back Dribble
The benefit of this move is your able to activate this from a standstill position, catching defenders completely off guard.
Controls: Flick the right stick down/left or down/right (towards your non ball hand), then flick the left stick up/left or up/right (towards your non ball hand)
Step Back
This is most often used right after you cross the 3 point line. As your opponent gets left in the dust thinking you’re still driving, this opens up a 3 point attempt. You should have this in your arsenal to quickly create space when driving. The step back is also a great way to create space for yourself against defenders who are crowding you, because a lot of the time your opponent’s excellent defense can break down if you perform a step back because their unable to adjust to the new found space you have.
Controls: Flick the right stick down
Hesitation
Hesitation is a great move to get your defender to overrun the ball, while you slow down your movement and make a more informed decision about what to do next.
Controls: Flick the right stick towards your ball hand.
In And Out
This is a misdirection dibble move that makes the defender think your about to cross over while you end up still going the same way. A perfect in and out in 2K is if you can get the defender to freeze and you blow right by them or they move completely out the way thinking you’re about to go the other. You also want to give yourself enough space from the defender, when you attempt this to avoid running into them.
Controls: Flick the right stick up/right or up/left towards your ball hand.
Crossover to Hesitation Escape
A Cross to Hesitation Escape can get you separation from the defender moving laterally where you hopefully have freed yourself up to attack.
Controls: Hold RT or R2 on your controller, then flick the right stick up/left or up/right(to your non ball hand)
Hesitation Escape
The Hesitation Escape, keeps the ball on the same side the whole move as you try to create space for yourself against the defender laterally for you to shoot or drive
Controls: Hold RT or R2 on your controller, then flick the right stick left/right(to your ball hand)
Between the Legs Escape
This move is very similar to the crossover to hesitation escape, but provides better ball protection laterally.
Controls: Hold RT or R2 on your controller, flick the right stick directly left/right(to your non ball hand)
Behind the Back Dribble Escape
Steph Curry without a doubt has the most popular Behind the Back Escape in the game.
Controls: Hold RT or R2 on your controller, flick the right stick down/left or down/right(to your non ball hand)
Step Back Escape
This dibble move aims to get you out of trouble from the defender to open up a chance to shoot or drive.
Controls: Hold RT or R2 on your controller, flick the right stick down
Spin
The spin move is a way to create space for yourself when a defender is full out trying to stop your initial path to the basket and this forces you into the lane as the defender is unable to prevent your forward momentum. You also want to make sure you don’t attempt a spin when the lane is already open for you as you’ll bounce the ball directly off of a defender.
Controls: Rotate the right stick from your ball hand around the bottom to your non ball hand
Half Spin
Half Spin’s purpose is to get defenders to respect the threat of you going the other way , making your initial path a lot easier to drive
Controls: Rotate the right stick from your ball hand to the top of your controller.
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