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

Here’s ALL the NBA 2K23 controls for offense, defense, shooting, dribbling, passing and new Pro Stick gestures on PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X.

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.

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. 

NBA 2K23 controller console controls guide offense controls

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 

NBA 2K23 controller console controls guide off ball defense ps5

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. 

NBA 2K23 controller console controls guide defense

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 

NBA 2K23 controller console controls guide off ball defense

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

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