NBA 2K23 Controls Guide (PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S)

The controls in NBA 2K23 can be broken down into the following major categories. This includes Offense, Defense, Shooting, Dribbling, Passing, Post moves.

Having a good knowledge of these controls will give you the best opportunity to succeed in the game on both ends of the floor. We’ve got all the controls for this years game including the new Pro Stick gesture controls for dunking.

In this NBA 2K23 controls guide, RS and LS denote right and left analog sticks.

On this page: hide

1. NBA 2K23 Offense Controls
- 1.1. Off Ball Offense Controls
2. NBA 2K23 Defense Controls
- 2.1. Off Ball Defense Controls
3. NBA 2K23 Shooting Controls
4. NBA 2K23 Passing Controls
5. NBA 2K23 Dribbling Controls
6. NBA 2K23 Post Offense Controls

NBA 2K23 Offense Controls

Offensive controls can be broken down into two sub-categories; On-Ball Offense and Off-Ball Offense.

On-Ball Offense is used when you are controlling the player with the ball in hand. Off-Ball Offense is used when you are controlling a player without the ball in hand.

PS4 and PS5

Pass: X
Bounce Pass: Circle
Lob Pass: Triangle
Shoot: Square or RS
Sprint: R2
Icon Pass: R1 (choose receiver)
Call Timeout / Coaches Challenge: Touch Pad
Move Player: LS
Pro Stick: RS
On the Fly Coaching: Arrow-Pad
Call Play: L1
Post Up: L2

Xbox One and Xbox Series X

Pass: A
Bounce Pass: B
Lob Pass: Y
Shoot: X or RS
Sprint: RT
Icon Pass: RB (choose receiver)
Call Timeout / Coaches Challenge: Back Button
Move Player: LS
Pro Stick: RS
On the Fly Coaching: Arrow-Pad
Call Play: LB
Post Up: LT

Off Ball Offense Controls

PS4 and PS5

Call For Pass: X
Quick Screen: O
Jump Ball: Triangle (tap)
Tell Teammate To Shoot: Square
Call For Alley-oop: Triangle
Sprint: R2
Call Timeout / Coach’s Challenge: Touch Pad
Call for Screen: L1
Post Up: L2
On the Fly Coaching: Arrow-Pad
Move Player: LS
Pro Stick: RS

Xbox One and Xbox Series X

Call For Pass: A
Quick Screen: B
Jump Ball: Y (tap)
Tell Teammate To Shoot: X
Call For Alley-oop: Y
Sprint: RT
Call Timeout / Coach’s Challenge: Back Button
Call for Screen: LB
Post Up: LT
On the Fly Coaching: Arrow-Pad
Move Player: LS
Pro Stick: RS

NBA 2K23 Defense Controls

Defensive controls can be broken down into two sub-categories; On-Ball Defense and Off-Ball Defense

On-Ball Defense is used when you are controlling the player that is directly defending the ball handler. Off-Ball defense is used when you are controlling a defender that is not defending a ball handler.

PS4 and PS5

Move Player: LS
Hands Up: RS
Short Contest: RS (move and release)
Post-Pull Chair: O (tap, while being backed down)
Player Swap: X
Take Charge: O
Block/Rebound: Triangle
Steal: Square
Sprint: R2
Icon Swap: R1
Double Team: L1
Intense Defense: L2
Intentional Foul: Touch Pad
On the Fly Coaching: Arrow Pad

Xbox One and Xbox Series X

Move Player: LS
Hands Up: RS
Short Contest: RS (move and release)
Post-Pull Chair: B (tap, while being backed down)
Player Swap: A
Take Charge: B
Block/Rebound: Y
Steal: X
Sprint: RT
Icon Swap: RB
Double Team: LB
Intense Defense: LT
Intentional Foul: Back Button
On the Fly Coaching: Arrow Pad

Off Ball Defense Controls

PS4 and PS5

Move Player: LS
On Ball Steal: RS
Dive for Loose Ball: Square (tap repeatedly while chasing a loose ball)
Player Swap: X
Box-Out Opponent: L2 (hold)
Take Charge: O
Block/Rebound: Triangle
Steal: Square
Sprint: R2
Icon Swap: R1
Double Team: L1
Intense Defense: L2
Intentional Foul: Touch Pad
On the Fly Coaching: Arrow Pad

Xbox One and Xbox Series X

Move Player: LS
On Ball Steal: RS
Dive for Loose Ball: X (tap repeatedly while chasing a loose ball)
Player Swap: A
Box-Out Opponent: LT (hold)
Take Charge: B
Block/Rebound: Y
Steal: X
Sprint: RT
Icon Swap: RB
Double Team: LB
Intense Defense: LT
Intentional Foul: Back Button
On the Fly Coaching: Arrow Pad

These basic offensive controls are essential across every game mode in NBA 2K23. This is perhaps the most important knowledge every player needs to have to be able to compete in 2K23.

NBA 2K23 Shooting Controls

Knowledge of these shooting controls is essential for players looking to succeed at the intermediate or advanced level.

PS4 and PS5

Jump Shot: Press & hold Square then release
Jump Shot Alt. Controls: Move and hold RS down, then release
Free Throw: Press & hold square then release (when at the line)
Free Throw Alt. Controls: Move and hold RS down, then release, when at line
Layup: Move & hold RS up (when driving)
Bank Shot: Move and hold RS up, and release
Runner / Floater: Move & hold RS down while driving
Reverse Layup: Move & hold the RS right (while driving along the baseline)
Euro Step Layup: Double tap square while driving & hold LS towards the off hand
Cradle Layup: Double tap square when driving & hold LS towards the ball hand
Two-Hand Dunk: R2 + move & hold RS up while driving to basket
Dominant or Off-Hand Dunk: R2 + move & hold RS up, left or right in close range
Flashy Dunk: R2 + move & hold RS down when driving, release to finish dunk
Pump Fake: Tap Square
Hop Gather: Tap Square while dribbling with L deflected
Spin Gather: Hold R2 + double tap square
Half Spin Gather: 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
Putback: Press square when attempting an offensive rebound
Two-Hand Dunk: Up on Pro Stick (RS)
Strong Hand Dunk: Right on Pro Stick (RS)
Weak Hand Dunk: Left on Pro Stick (RS)
Rim Hang Dunk: Down on Pro Stick (RS)
Flashy Two-Hand Dunk: Up-up on Pro Stick (RS)
Flashy One-Hand Dunk: Down-up on Pro Stick (RS)
Normal Skill Dunk with Meter: Up-down on Pro Stick (RS)
Rim Hang Skill Dunk with Meter: Down-Down on pro stick (RS) (R2 and Pro Stick (RS) dunk gesture, LS to change momentum, RS to pull yourself up to rim)
Quick Scoop Layup: Hold left or right stick

Xbox One and Xbox Series X

Jump Shot: Press & hold Y then release
Jump Shot Alt. Controls: Move and hold RS down, then release
Free Throw: Press and hold Y then release (when at the line)
Free Throw Alt. Controls: Move and hold RS down, then release, when at line
Layup: Move & hold Rs up (when driving)
Bank Shot: Move and hold RS up, and release
Runner / Floater: Move & hold RS down while driving
Reverse Layup: Move & hold RS right (while driving along the baseline)
Euro Step Layup: Double tap Y while driving & hold the LS towards the off hand
Cradle Layup: Double tap Y when driving & hold LS towards the ball hand
Two-Hand Dunk: RT + move & hold RS up while driving to basket
Dominant or Off-Hand Dunk: RT + move & hold RS up, left or right in close range
Flashy Dunk: RT + move & hold RS down when driving, release to finish dunk
Pump Fake: Tap Y
Hop Gather: Tap Y while dribbling with L deflected
Spin Gather: 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
Step Through: Near basket, pump fake, then press & hold Y
Putback: Press Y when attempting an offensive rebound
Two-Hand Dunk: Up on Pro Stick (RS)
Strong Hand Dunk: Right on Pro Stick (RS)
Weak Hand Dunk: Left on Pro Stick (RS)
Rim Hang Dunk: Down on Pro Stick (RS)
Flashy Two-Hand Dunk: Up-Up on Pro Stick (RS)
Flashy One-Hand Dunk: Down-Up on Pro Stick (RS)
Normal Skill Dunk with Meter: Up-Down on Pro Stick (RS)
Rim Hang Skill Dunk with Meter: Down-Down on pro stick (RS) (RT and Pro Stick (RS) dunk gesture, LS to change momentum, RS to pull yourself up to rim)
Quick Scoop Layup: Hold left or right stick

NBA 2K23 Passing Controls

PS4 and PS5

Normal Pass: Press X
Bounce Pass: Press O
Lob Pass: Press Triangle
Skip Pass: Hold X to target a receiver further away
Fake Pass: Triangle + O while standing or driving to the basket
Jump Pass: Square + X while standing or driving to the basket
Icon Pass: Press R1 then press the icon button of the desired receiver
Flashy Pass: Double tap O
Alley-oop: Double tap Triangle
Alley-oop to Self: Double tap triangle + 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
Handoff Pass: Press & hold O to freely move the selected receiver with LS. Release O to pass
Touch Pass: Press X 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
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
Rolling Inbound: Press triangle during baseline inbounds

Xbox One and Xbox Series X

Normal Pass: Press A
Bounce Pass: Press B
Lob Pass: Press Y
Skip Pass: Hold A to target a receiver further away
Fake Pass: B + Y while standing or driving to the basket
Jump Pass: A + X while standing or driving to the basket
Icon Pass: Press RB then press the icon button of the desired receiver
Flashy Pass: Double tap B to pass
Alley-oop: Double tap Y
Alley-oop to Self: Double tap Y + move LS to the hoop
Lead to Basket Pass: Press & hold Y to make the selected receiver cut to the basket. Then Release to pass
Handoff Pass: Press & hold B to freely move the selected receiver with LS. Release B to pass
Touch Pass: Press A before the first receiver gets the ball (Use LS to select the second receiver)
Pro Stick Pass: Press & hold RB + move RS in the desired pass direction
Give and Go: 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 Y during baseline inbounds

NBA 2K23 Dribbling Controls

PS4 and PS5

Signature Size-up: Move & hold RS stick up from a standing dribble
Signature Park Size-up: Repeatedly tap L2 from a stand dribble
In and Out: Move RS right then quickly release while dribbling with right hand
Hesitation: Move the RS then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Hesitation Escape: Move and hold RS right when dribbling with right hand
Crossover: When dribbling with the right hand, move RS up left then quickly release
Crossover to Hesitation Escape: R2 + move RS up left then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Crossover Escape: When dribbling with right hand move & hold RS up left
Between Legs Cross: Move RS left then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Between Legs Escape: Move and hold RS left when dribbling with right hand
Behind the Back: Move RS down left then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Momentum Behind the Back: R2 + move RS down left then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Behind the Back Escape: When dribbling with right hand, move & hold RS down left
Stepback: Move RS down then quickly release
Momentum Stepback: R2 + move RS down then quickly release
Spin: Rotate the RS clockwise then quickly & release when dribbling with right hand
Half Spin: Rotate RS in a quarter-circle from right to up then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Hard Stop / Stutter: Tap L2 while driving for a quick change of speed
Hold Off Defenders: Hold L2
Double Throws: Flick Pro Stick (RS) in a direction, let it go back to center, then quickly move Pro Stick (RS) back in the same direction
Switchbacks: Flick Pro Stick (RS) in a direction, let it go back to center, then quickly move Pro Stick (RS) back in the opposite direction

Xbox One and Xbox Series X

Signature Size-up: Move & hold RS up from a standing dribble
Signature Park Size-up: Repeatedly tap LT from a stand dribble
In and Out: Move RS up right then quickly release while dribbling with right hand
Hesitation: Move the RS right then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Hesitation Escape: Move and hold RS right when dribbling with right hand
Crossover: When dribbling with the right hand, move RS up left then quickly release
Crossover to Hesitation Escape: R2 + move RS up left then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Crossover Escape: When dribbling with right hand move & hold RS up left
Between Legs Cross: Move RS left then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Between Legs Escape: Move and hold RS left when dribbling with right hand
Behind the Back: Move RS left then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Momentum Behind the Back: RT + move RS down left then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Behind the Back Escape: When dribbling with right hand, move & hold RS down left
Stepback: Move RS down then quickly release
Momentum Stepback: R2 + move RS down then quickly release
Spin: Rotate RS clockwise then quickly & release when dribbling with right hand
Half Spin: Rotate RS in a quarter-circle from right to up then quickly release when dribbling with right hand
Hard Stop / Stutter: Tap LT while driving for a quick change of speed
Hold Off Defenders: Hold LT
Double Throws: Flick Pro Stick (RS) in a direction, let it go back to center, then quickly move Pro Stick (RS) back in the same direction
Switchbacks: Flick Pro Stick (RS) in a direction, let it go back to center, then quickly move Pro Stick (RS) back in the opposite direction

NBA 2K23 Post Offense Controls

Post offensive moves are crucial for bigs (C and PF’s) or even smaller players wanting to score in the paint.

PS4 and PS5

Dropstep: Hold LS to the left or right toward hoop, then tap Square
Spin or Drive: Rotate RS to either shoulder
Jab Stepback: Hold R2 & move RS up then quickly release
Straight Stepback: Hold R2 & move RS down then quickly release
Post Up: Press and Hold L2
Post Layup: Move LS toward hoop + hold RS up left or up right
Post Hook: With LS on neutral, move & hold RS up left or up right
Post Fade: Move & hold RS left or right away from the hoop
Post Shimmy Fade: With LS neutral, hold R2 + move & hold RS down left or down right
Post Shimmy Hook: With LS neutral, hold R2 + move & hold RS up left or up right
Post Hop: Move & hold LS left, right or down then tap square
Up and Under: Use RS to pump fake, then let go of L2 and quickly move & hold RS again before the pump fake ends
Dunk Attempt: Hold R2 & move LS + RS up

Xbox One and Xbox Series X

Dropstep: Hold LS to the left or right toward hoop, then tap X
Spin or Drive: Rotate RS to either shoulder
Jab Stepback: Hold RT & move RS up then quickly release
Straight Stepback: Hold RT & move RS down then quickly release
Post Up: Press and Hold LT
Post Layup: Move LS toward hoop + hold RS up left or up right
Post Hook: With LS on neutral, move & hold RS up left or up right
Post Fade: Move & hold RS left or right away from the hoop
Post Shimmy Fade: With LS neutral, hold RT + move & hold RS down left or down right
Post Shimmy Hook: With LS neutral, hold RT + move & hold RS up left or up right
Post Hop: Move & hold LS left, right or down then tap X
Up and Under: Use RS to pump fake, then let go of LT and quickly move & hold RS again before the pump fake ends
Dunk Attempt: Hold RT & move LS + RS up