My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

[Smirkin Dirk]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

The CPU isnt aggressive enough getting into the paint for this to be an issue.

[coached17]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

Well...not sure this is really a "strategy" but switching from the 2K camera to Broadcast has really helped me on defense.

Like I said, it probably has more to do with my fingers then anything else as moving side-to-side on defense in Broadcast is mostly done moving the sticks up-and-down instead of left-to-right...which seems to give me a little more control.

The other thing I am learning to do is to force/funnel players one way...instead of just playing everyone straight up.

Several advantages here...the first being that its easier for me to anticipate because I am almost making the offensive player go that way. I can also shade away from help depending on who I have on the court...

The right stick has also been a help. I just wish it was a tad more responsive. Closing out on 3PT shooters with the right stick is key. I've also HAD to set this to Manual as the other two (Always & Intense D) result in too many unwanted contests from players not guarding the shooter....like when I try to switch to a big and box out - also the L2 trigger.

[madmax52277]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

The CPU isnt aggressive enough getting into the paint for this to be an issue.

Set your defence to smother the ball handler.
Use 2k default simulation slider's.
Play on all-star.

[TheRealHST]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

The CPU isnt aggressive enough getting into the paint for this to be an issue.

it depends on who you playing and how you play them. Some teams will attack some teams don't.

[TheRealHST]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

Set your defence to smother the ball handler.

Use 2k default simulation slider's.

Play on all-star.

Yes. I do this and have noticed that its only good in spots. The CPU does counter this

[ViolenceFight]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

Well...not sure this is really a "strategy" but switching from the 2K camera to Broadcast has really helped me on defense.

Like I said, it probably has more to do with my fingers then anything else as moving side-to-side on defense in Broadcast is mostly done moving the sticks up-and-down instead of left-to-right...which seems to give me a little more control.

The other thing I am learning to do is to force/funnel players one way...instead of just playing everyone straight up.

Several advantages here...the first being that its easier for me to anticipate because I am almost making the offensive player go that way. I can also shade away from help depending on who I have on the court...

The right stick has also been a help. I just wish it was a tad more responsive. Closing out on 3PT shooters with the right stick is key. I've also HAD to set this to Manual as the other two (Always & Intense D) result in too many unwanted contests from players not guarding the shooter....like when I try to switch to a big and box out - also the L2 trigger.

The broadcast thing is definitely a personal preference, but it's good to mention because I guarantee there's other people who have a similar issue, but are lost on a solution.

I need to add to the other posts, Defense in the park is also only as good as your team is. Randoms usually can't/don't communicate. So don't be frustrated of you play perfect D and still lose. Most people don't understand rotations or switching/hedging on a pick and roll situation.

I bring up frustration, because a lot of players get annoyed, and then try to play outside of their ability, or just flat out try to over compensate. even if you're down by ten on the blacktop, stay calm. Calm, cool heads, make better decisions and less mistakes. Defense is about controlling the opponents options and movements. If you can't control yourself, how can you be focused enough to control someone else?

[madmax52277]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

Yes. I do this and have noticed that its only good in spots. The CPU does counter this

Like you said it depends who you are playing.
Because I was trying to smother James and Irving and they started to drive to the hole like crazy.
I use your tips by moving slowly but not to slow playing better on d nice tips.

[madmax52277]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

I'm trying to draw charges but having a hard time getting calls.
To much flopping lol

[sportyguyfl31]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

I played my first online game, an it took me about 3/4 of the way through to get somewhat of a feel for it. The issue I see is that as soon as someone just simply zigs the opposite direction with ther LS..its all over.

I didnt play 2K last year, but I did what I usually have done in the past..I only use intense D if I have forced someone to pick up their dribble..or if I have made body contact. Otherwise, im trying to use the LS and shuffle..but it seems muuuuuuuch harder to do than I remember.

I got a better feel for it towards the end of the game, but something about it feels off this year. Ill keep at it

[ViolenceFight]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

I played my first online game, an it took me about 3/4 of the way through to get somewhat of a feel for it. The issue I see is that as soon as someone just simply zigs the opposite direction with ther LS..its all over.

I didnt play 2K last year, but I did what I usually have done in the past..I only use intense D if I have forced someone to pick up their dribble..or if I have made body contact. Otherwise, im trying to use the LS and shuffle..but it seems muuuuuuuch harder to do than I remember.

I got a better feel for it towards the end of the game, but something about it feels off this year. Ill keep at it

Yeah, that left stick hand switch to change direction is lightning fast, and they lose no momentum with it. It's the hardest to deal with IMO. I back peddle to about the 3 point line usually to try and deal with it, but 9 times out of 10 I lose them and let Chase Down Artist takeover for me

[P234thetruth]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

Yeah, that left stick hand switch to change direction is lightning fast, and they lose no momentum with it. It's the hardest to deal with IMO. I back peddle to about the 3 point line usually to try and deal with it, but 9 times out of 10 I lose them and let Chase Down Artist takeover for me

When they are going ISO and cross up like this and you're backpedaling, is it best to be tapping L2 to stop him or using the right joystick left to right or both?

When folks say to "feather" the joystick on D what's that mean slight flicking of the right joystick (and by itself or with a combination of L2) for cutting off penetration?

[coached17]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

I played my first online game, an it took me about 3/4 of the way through to get somewhat of a feel for it. The issue I see is that as soon as someone just simply zigs the opposite direction with ther LS..its all over.

I didnt play 2K last year, but I did what I usually have done in the past..I only use intense D if I have forced someone to pick up their dribble..or if I have made body contact. Otherwise, im trying to use the LS and shuffle..but it seems muuuuuuuch harder to do than I remember.

I got a better feel for it towards the end of the game, but something about it feels off this year. Ill keep at it

It is difficult...and harder than in the past.

I'm like you...I've played 2K every year, except took last year off. It was very difficult earlier on, but I feel like I am getting better, although I still wouldn't say I'm "good".

[madmax52277]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

When they are going ISO and cross up like this and you're backpedaling, is it best to be tapping L2 to stop him or using the right joystick left to right or both?

When folks say to "feather" the joystick on D what's that mean slight flicking of the right joystick (and by itself or with a combination of L2) for cutting off penetration?

No matter how much you think you know about this game you find something new.

I thought feather steps was holding down intense and turbo button lol!

Here are some tip's.
There are some player's that are hard to guard.
Don't always try stop him force him to your denfence/ baseline/paint/his weak hand.

Don't always stay in front of him play his left or right side.
The cpu Ai are very smart love it.

[ViolenceFight]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

When they are going ISO and cross up like this and you're backpedaling, is it best to be tapping L2 to stop him or using the right joystick left to right or both?

When folks say to "feather" the joystick on D what's that mean slight flicking of the right joystick (and by itself or with a combination of L2) for cutting off penetration?

I always assumed feathering was lightly tapping the stick in a direction or back and forth. When I guard a guy after they catch as pass, I tend to shuffle back and forth slightly to make him think about the move he's about to make/influence the direction he's gonna go.

[coached17]

Re: My tips for playing On-Ball defense (on or offline)

No matter how much you think you know about this game you find something new.

I thought feather steps was holding down intense and turbo button lol!

Here are some tip's.
There are some player's that are hard to guard.
Don't always try stop him force him to your denfence/ baseline/paint/his weak hand.

Don't always stay in front of him play his left or right side.
The cpu Ai are very smart love it.

Short and sweet, but there is GOLD here.

You are right with the first one....some guys will never be "stopped". So it's more about "containing" them. LeBron and Melo are going to get theirs...you just have to make it a little difficult.

I have just started doing more of the 2nd tip.

I was always guilty of thinking I had to play right in front of everyone at all times. It was a silly way of thinking from old games without the depth this one has. Now that I've adjusted, I appreciate the depth.


My only wish was that turbo was turned down a bit...it just seems like sometimes certain players are a blur. Maybe I am just OLD....