OFF-ball defense tips, advice, etc...

[Bobhead]

I'm kinda new to the series and I'm playing MyCareer for the first time, and I'm quickly seeing that I'm pretty terrible at off-ball defense. Guarding on-ball in regular exhibition games is easy, but I have no clue what I'm doing off-ball. The guy I'm guarding always simply outspeeds me or maneuvers quickly away, while I'm locked into weird defensive animations that prevent me from running at anything close to full speed.

etc... etc...

So does anyone have any advice?

[TeamBuilder]

Re: OFF-ball defense tips, advice, etc...

I always try to stay between the man and the basket no matter where he is on the court. I only go for steals when I feel like I'll have a good jump because getting out of position almost always gets me burned.

[raiderphantom]

Re: OFF-ball defense tips, advice, etc...

It's all about positioning. Pay attention to screeners for curls. You can usually cheat around the screen with no penalty and if its a back screen on the baseline, push the right stick up to stick out your arms and slide through. You have to anticipate so you don't get stuck.

Also, you want to keep a proper distance. If you're defending on the strong side you want to be a bit tighter, but on the weak side you can give more room. But never just watch the ball and lose sight of your man.

[Bobhead]

Re: OFF-ball defense tips, advice, etc...

How do I keep from those weird animations where I just continually run in a random direction? I encounter those a couple times a game, where I'm playing defense and then the offender does some random crossover move and my guy just instantly takes off, usually towards the sidelines. My defense is really holding me back in this game because of the harsh penalties to your performance grade, and I feel like I have no control over what I'm doing.

[leo2k2ndc]

Re: OFF-ball defense tips, advice, etc...

Try not to use turbo unless necessary, you do alot more dumb side to side over runs if you press turbo

[ghettogeeksta]

Re: OFF-ball defense tips, advice, etc...

Off ball defense took a step back this year because you cant bump the cutter anymore.

[The 24th Letter]

I'm not really having issues with off ball defense, but my rebounding is pretty bad....too many times I'll jump and just tap the ball instead of grabbing it...wondering if I'm doing something wrong...

[JasonWilliams55]

Re: OFF-ball defense tips, advice, etc...

I'm not really having issues with off ball defense, but my rebounding is pretty bad....too many times I'll jump and just tap the ball instead of grabbing it...wondering if I'm doing something wrong...

I've noticed tapping Y will get you taps, while holding Y down will grab the board. Could be me just going crazy but I'm pretty sure that works.

[helluvagood]

Re: OFF-ball defense tips, advice, etc...

I've noticed tapping Y will get you taps, while holding Y down will grab the board. Could be me just going crazy but I'm pretty sure that works.

it also has to do with your rebounding and hustle ratings (maybe hands as well). but mostly rebounding ratings. improve that and you will see less taps