NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

[K_rob11]

Seriously, this was one of my most favorite features ever added to a basketball game and I really wish the NBA Live team would consider bringing this back. I couldn't remember which version of Live had this, so I had to do a little digging and came across this video (I remember when the Live team used to put out visual blogs like this). But yea, this feature was very underrated and probably under appreciated and I really hope to see it included again in NBA Live.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6q_xd-TogMk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

This looks like a solid mechanic that is absolutely needed. From what I gather, it looks like you can have the off-ball teammate come receive a pass, but more importantly come meet the pass.

This would essentially be an alternative to what I'm looking for with regards to player specific screen button. I've never used it because I never really played Live in the past. Even if this were to be brought back at a later date, I obviously would still love for a more player specific screen button.

EDIT: The more I think about it...

Even if this off-ball mechanic were to be introduced in Live 19, the screen button would still be a quicker method to have the off-ball teammate come meet the pass. Teammate specific screen button would still allow me as the ball handler to move around while the off-ball teammate starts moving towards me to set a screen or come meet the pass.

With the off-ball mechanic as shown in this particular video, you can only control one player at a time. You basically "relinquish" control of the ball handler while you're navigating the off-ball teammate with the analog stick.

In other words, both mechanics should be a gameplay control mechanic that needs to be in Live 19, or possible 18 (if that is even a remote possibility).



EDIT (One year later): Actually, the off-ball control mechanics would be superior to simply using the player specific screen button to direct traffic. Bring off-ball control mechanics back to Live.

[El_Poopador]

Re: NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

This looks like a solid mechanic that is absolutely needed. From what I gather, it looks like you can have the off-ball teammate come receive a pass, but more importantly come meet the pass.

This would essentially be an alternative to what I'm looking for with regards to player specific screen button. I've never used it because I never really played Live in the past. Even if this were to be brought back at a later date, I obviously would still love for a more player specific screen button.

EDIT: The more I think about it...

Even if this off-ball mechanic were to be introduced in Live 19, the screen button would still be a quicker method to have the off-ball teammate come meet the pass. Teammate specific screen button would still allow me as the ball handler to move around while the off-ball teammate starts moving towards me to set a screen or come meet the pass.

With the off-ball mechanic as shown in this particular video, you can only control one player at a time. You basically "relinquish" control of the ball handler while you're navigating the off-ball teammate with the analog stick.

In other words, both mechanics should be a gameplay control mechanic that needs to be in Live 19, or possible 18 (if that is even a remote possibility).

100% agree on the screen control. I've been having a hell of a time trying to get Kevin Love to set screens for me instead of Tristan. Not to mention not being able to choose the screener from the triple threat.

I did love that mechanic in Live 10 to control off ball players though. It made weaving a shooter through the defense and getting their man stuck behind a screen so much easier to set up open looks, or alley oops that don't come from a pick and roll.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

An approximate one year necrobump but this off-ball control mechanic is sorely missing, and should be an absolute requirement for future NBA live titles. There are stuff in NBA Live 19 that I imagine doing but I simply can't pull it off because my off-ball teammates aren't moving to where I need them to be.

I popped in NBA Live 10 for about 5 minutes and the ability to orchestrate what I want my teammates to do simply using this mechanic is an absolute breath of fresh air.

Someone please send a memo to team NBA Live. They had it in '10, bring it back for '20 if it's impossible to implement for '19.

[Schwall]

Re: NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

Try tap then hold RB/R1 then select your player. You'll then off ball with that player while the cpu takes over the ball carrier.

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

Try tap then hold RB/R1 then select your player. You'll then off ball with that player while the cpu takes over the ball carrier.

Unfortunately. I can’t get it to work.

Tap R1 brings up player icon, then disappears.
Hold R1 brings up player icon, and it remains on screen, but pressing the corresponding icon simply passes the ball to that player.
Tap R1, then hold R1 is the same as simply holding R1.

[ProjectLeet]

Re: NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

Unfortunately. I can’t get it to work.

Tap R1 brings up player icon, then disappears.
Hold R1 brings up player icon, and it remains on screen, but pressing the corresponding icon simply passes the ball to that player.
Tap R1, then hold R1 is the same as simply holding R1.

You try to tap R1, release, then press AND hold R1 quickly? should bring up icons and whatever you pick should playerlock you to play off-ball.

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

You try to tap R1, release, then press AND hold R1 quickly? should bring up icons and whatever you pick should playerlock you to play off-ball.

Sweet. Did it. Apparently, you have to be very quick. This may have actually saved the game for me. This may have also sold me the game, now I can finally run an offense while incorporating plays and off-ball control.

Other concerns:

1. How do I quickly pass the ball to that person, do I just press X? or is there an even quicker way?

2. is it possible to use icon to select the exact player you want setting a screen instead of using the analog stick plus bumper. The analog stick plus r1 isn’t always responsive. If I’m on one side of the court with Curry and I want Klay standing at the other corner side three how can I specifically call for Klay to come set a screen. this is one thing that’s still bugging me about the game.

3. play calling - can I cue up only the playbook for a specific player like Draymond Green without having to be distracted by my other teammates playbook?

4. Is it possible to stop my ball handler from moving and speed boost after I select a play?

5. How do I quickly send some to cut to the basket using icon select, or is it only possible with the analog stick with d-pad?

note: it’s simply much more precise using icon select instead of the analog stick, and it’s also much quicker to orchestrate a free flowing offense.

[Schwall]

Re: NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

Sweet. Did it. Apparently, you have to be very quick. This may have actually save the game for me.

Three concerns:

1. How do I quickly pass the ball to that person, do I just press X?

2. is it possible to use icon to select the exact player you want setting a screen instead of using the analog stick plus bumper. The analog stick plus r1 isn’t always responsive. If I’m on one side of the court with Curry and I want Klay standing at the other corner side three how can I specifically call for Klay to come set a screen.

3. play calling - can I cue up only the playbook for a specific player like Draymond Green without having to be distracted by my other teammates playbook?

4. How do I quickly send some to cut to the basket using icon select, or is it only possible with the analog stick with d-pad?

note: it’s simply much more precise using icon select instead of the analog stick, and it’s also much quicker to orchestrate a free flowing offense.

1. Yes, just press the pass button, you should be able to even throw alleys to your off ball guy

2. We hear you. Will look into it for future updates.

3. Not at this time, but understand your feedback. We will be looking at feedback on how to improve playcalling in the future.

4. Cut is either right or left on the d-pad (i can never remember which is cut and which is screen). You double tap the d-pad and icon select your cutter which will cut him to the hoop and then back out to his spot after the cut ends. Just a single tap let's the game decide who cuts.

[biglami]

Re: NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

1. Yes, just press the pass button, you should be able to even throw alleys to your off ball guy

2. We hear you. Will look into it for future updates.

3. Not at this time, but understand your feedback. We will be looking at feedback on how to improve playcalling in the future.

4. Cut is either right or left on the d-pad (i can never remember which is cut and which is screen). You double tap the d-pad and icon select your cutter which will cut him to the hoop and then back out to his spot after the cut ends. Just a single tap let's the game decide who cuts.

Is there lead passing in Live 19? By this, I mean (think NBA 2K), when I initiate a pass with my PG (or whoever) to a SG on the wing, there is about 3/4 of a second during which my PG's arms move to bring the ball into a pass situation. During that 3/4 of a second, plus during the time that the ball is in flight, I then have control of the guy who is about to receive the pass. I can steer that guy into open space.

This "lead passing" as I call it, is the only feature in 2K that I like, that Live does not have. But, that being said, it is such a huge component to my style of play. I mean, passing to a guy who is just standing there, or running a predetermined route into traffic, versus being able to steer a guy an additional 5 feet or so away from defenders so he can do a catch and shoot, is so critical for video game basketball. I cannot figure out how to make this work in the Live 19 demo (or Live 18, or any Live that I have ever played). Can you please put it into Live 19?

[Jingle Johnson]

Re: NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

Thank you so much for being this feature back. I spent a few hours every year or two just to come back here and explain its virtues. Thank you. Please keep this!

1. Yes, just press the pass button, you should be able to even throw alleys to your off ball guy

2. We hear you. Will look into it for future updates.

3. Not at this time, but understand your feedback. We will be looking at feedback on how to improve playcalling in the future.

4. Cut is either right or left on the d-pad (i can never remember which is cut and which is screen). You double tap the d-pad and icon select your cutter which will cut him to the hoop and then back out to his spot after the cut ends. Just a single tap let's the game decide who cuts.

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

1. Yes, just press the pass button, you should be able to even throw alleys to your off ball guy

2. We hear you. Will look into it for future updates.

3. Not at this time, but understand your feedback. We will be looking at feedback on how to improve playcalling in the future.

4. Cut is either right or left on the d-pad (i can never remember which is cut and which is screen). You double tap the d-pad and icon select your cutter which will cut him to the hoop and then back out to his spot after the cut ends. Just a single tap let's the game decide who cuts.

I’ve been getting hang of this off-ball mechanic, but unfortunately one thing that I don’t quite like is that it doesn’t allow me to run my offense through the post. Once I relinquish control of my center to go off-ball control, the center almost immediately attacks the basket or shoots the ball. I want the center to hang onto the ball longer so my wing player or the person I’m controlling off-ball can actually be moved into position for a catch.

In addition, it doesn’t seem like I can off-ball control my center when he is in the post. Sometimes I would like to off-ball control my center so he catches the ball several feet outside the paint instead of his existing position.

There needs to be more time to control the off-ball teammate before my cpu teammate with the ball starts to either attack the basket or shoot the ball.

Secondly, how do I cancel the off-ball control once I’ve activated it? Sometimes, I want to immediately change the person I’m controlling off-ball



EDIT: Two additional tidbits to add.

Spoiler

1. Off-ball control lack of response or not quite responding in the heat of the moment, resulting in an icon pass situation leading to a turnover.. I love using this off-ball control mechanic, but sometimes, it doesn't trigger and it actually becomes an icon pass situation (more than likely because I didn't double tap and hold the R1 button) and that's the problem. Because the act of double tapping could be missed or whatever other reasons causing it to be missed, turns this off-ball control mechanic into a regular icon pass.

So instead of off-ball controlling Klay Thompson to come receive the pass from Curry, I would accidentally pass the ball to Klay in the corner and resulting in a stolen pass because as noted somewhere in these Live forum, passing the ball around the horn or in general has a high risk of getting the pass stolen.

2. There really needs a way to "prevent" the computer from actually shooting or attacking the basket when I'm in off-ball control mode or extend the time frame, or have another button that when press actually activates the CPU to go do his thing when I'm off-ball controlling another teammate. In Live 10, off-ball control works exactly like 2k which was incredibly useful. I didn't have to worry about the CPU doing his own thing when I really meant to off-ball control the teammate to ultimately receive the pass. It has happened on multiple occasions. CPU Steph Curry decides to shoot instead of waiting for me to off-ball Klay into the right position. CPU Green decides to drive instead of waiting for me to off-ball Durant into the correct position,etc. etc.

3. Live 10 and 2k off-ball control mechanic leaves absolutely no room to make an error. Both uses the hold mechanic rather than a double tap mechanic. It makes things faster.

2k - simply hold R1 and the corresponding desired player's icon. If I never ever release the R1 button, I can continue to off-ball any of my teammates, back to back to back, which is why it's much quicker to orchestrate the offense. Live 10 - I believe it's hold L2 and then the corresponding desired player's icon. And if I wanted to off-ball control another teammate, I simply continue holding onto L2.

[El_Poopador]

Re: NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

I’ve been getting hang of this off-ball mechanic, but unfortunately one thing that I don’t quite like is that it doesn’t allow me to run my offense through the post. Once I relinquish control of my center to go off-ball control, the center almost immediately attacks the basket or shoots the ball. I want the center to hang onto the ball longer so my wing player or the person I’m controlling off-ball can actually be moved into position for a catch.

In addition, it doesn’t seem like I can off-ball control my center. Sometimes I would like to off-ball control my center so he catches the ball several feet outside the paint instead of his existing position.

There needs to be more time to control the off-ball teammate before my cpu teammate with the ball starts to either attack the basket or shoot the ball.

Secondly, how do I cancel the off-ball control once I’ve activated it? Sometimes, I want to immediately change the person I’m controlling off-ball

I'm having the opposite issue. I was hoping to be able to use the offball control for pick and roll/pops, but I can't get the CPU controlled ball handler to use my screens. He just stands there until I call for the pass.

[Schwall]

Re: NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

I’ve been getting hang of this off-ball mechanic, but unfortunately one thing that I don’t quite like is that it doesn’t allow me to run my offense through the post. Once I relinquish control of my center to go off-ball control, the center almost immediately attacks the basket or shoots the ball. I want the center to hang onto the ball longer so my wing player or the person I’m controlling off-ball can actually be moved into position for a catch.

In addition, it doesn’t seem like I can off-ball control my center. Sometimes I would like to off-ball control my center so he catches the ball several feet outside the paint instead of his existing position.

There needs to be more time to control the off-ball teammate before my cpu teammate with the ball starts to either attack the basket or shoot the ball.

Secondly, how do I cancel the off-ball control once I’ve activated it? Sometimes, I want to immediately change the person I’m controlling off-ball

Yea, once you go off ball, AI takes over and does what they do (post they attack or they are running a play).

To get back to the ball carrier, double tap RB.

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: NBA Live - Off ball control (Bring it back!)

I'm having the opposite issue. I was hoping to be able to use the offball control for pick and roll/pops, but I can't get the CPU controlled ball handler to use my screens. He just stands there until I call for the pass.

Not sure if the following would help, but under coaches settings (after you've gone into Play Now 5 vs 5 NBA), change the "motion offense" to full.

There are three options, full, lite, and none. Default is none.