NBA 2K20: Complete controls guide (offense, defense, shooting, dribbling, stealing) for PS4 and Xbox One

Hoops season is so close you can almost taste it, but if you can't wait for the NBA to get back on the court you can take it over yourself NBA 2K20.

Players all over the world are getting their hands on the title and looking to get stuck into all the new features in the game before the NBA season starts.

But to get started, you need to know the controls. With a host of new features, the only sure-fire way to crush your opponents is to have total mastery of the controls. There have been a few changes from last year, but we have what you need to rain down points and win games in NBA 2K20.

To make the highlight reel plays you have to be able to do the basics first.

Basic Offense

These are the basic controls that you need to compete in 2K at any level. Although basic, if you use them well, they are some of the most important controls you'll need when competing across every game mode.

READ MORE:How to shoot the perfect 3-pointer

Like in previous editions of NBA 2K, the trick is ensuring that you time when to press your buttons and which direction to hold your joystick in order to make the right pass or bucket.

Being able to use a range of different passing styles is crucial. Whilst a basic flat pass may work for short passes from man to man, if you can throw an overhead or a bounce pass from time to time, it will make your play far less predictable and therefore much more difficult for your opponent to defend against you.

Off-Ball Offense

Regarding shooting, it is all about timing. Each player has their own different timing. For example Carmelo Anthony has one of the fastest release in the game, whilst Dirk Nowitzki has a very slow release, so you will need to spend some time on the practice court figuring out which players work best for you.

Learning players' hot spots will help massively.

Those players with high shooting attributes will be slightly more forgiving if you don't get your timing spot on. So if you're attempting a three with one of the A+ shooters for example, you will have more leeway than shooting with those who don't.

Basic Defense

Arguably more important than offense, it is crucial to learn the defense controls like the back of your hand to stop your opposition from picking up easy baskets. Being able to steal consistently is vital, but it is also the control that will give away the most fouls.

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Look for those players with an A-grade steal, they will be your best friend when defending.  Being able to block and take charge well are two other key features for basic defending

The Off-Ball Controls are all self-explanatory. These are the absolute basics that any 2K player needs to know in order to play the game at any level.

Off-Ball Defense

That's what you need to survive on the court, but to thrive there is plenty more to learn. Those 2K players who want to be a little more specific with the choices they make on the court can use a whole host of more advanced controls...

Advanced Offense

When it comes to attacking, simple passing and shooting doesn't always work. There is a whole lot more that you need to know if you are going to be able to outwit your opponent and grab that W.

Playcalling in offense will help you pick up points.

The advance defense controls are difficult to grasp and will take some time to master. Calling zones is probably the most confusing feature for new players but one which can be the difference between winning and losing when executed properly.

Advanced Defense

Dribbling

Brookyln's Kyrie Irving has some of the best handles in the game.

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Dribbling isn't as simple as just taking the ball up the court. Being able to handle the ball well and step past your man will help to open up the court and give you plenty more options on offense. Here is the list of those all-important dribble moves you need to know.

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NBA 2K20: How to shoot the perfect 3 pointer and rack up wins

Raining down threes at will is one of the best ways to dominate any basketball game and demoralize an opponent, both in 2K or in real life.

There's no better feeling than hitting that buzzer-beater from deep to win the game, it's something which we all love, but how many of us have the know-how to pull it off?

Shooting a three on 2K20 isn't as easy as it may seem, there's a whole range of factors which come into play for those daring enough to take the tricky shot on, here's our guide to teach you how to shoot the perfect three.

Picking your man

Now, this may seem simple, but you will not be able to shoot a three with every player on the court.

Each player in the game has their three-point ability graded, from the A+ shooters, the likes of Golden State's Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, all the way down to the F grade shooters, the likes of Philadelphia's Ben Simmons, who is yet to hit a 3 in his NBA career.

Whilst he may be a beast in the post, Ben Simmons 3 point record doesn't make for great reading.

READ MORE: NBA 2K20: Complete controls guide

So this is something you need to remember when you're on the court. If the opposition's defense is consistently leaving your man open from deep, there's probably a good reason for this and that reason is probably their inability to shoot the three-ball.

Know the Hot Zones

Another key element to learning how to shoot the perfect three is knowing the hot zones of your players.

The best way to do this is to hit the court on 2KU and start experimenting with your favorite teams and players.

Each player has their own 'hot zones' based on how they perform in real life. It is crucial to learn where each player's hot spots are, particularly from three-point range, as they are more likely to be successful when shooting from these areas.

Again, the higher the player's rating from deep, the more hot spots they will have. Look at Golden State's Steph Curry, arguably the best three-point shooter to ever grace an NBA court, he has Hot Zones all over the court.

Curry can shoot from pretty much anywhere

In comparison, Lou Williams of the LA Clippers, whilst he still has a solid B+ ranking from deep, only has two Hot Zones, so you will have to be more selective when you shoot three's with the veteran shooting guard.

Your best bet with Lou is shooting from the corners.

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Know your release

Whilst JJ Redick and Bojan Bogdanovic might both be expert three-ball shooters, they both have very different timings when releasing their shot.

New Orlean's JJ Redick is one of 7 A+ shooters from three-point range

This is the case with pretty much any player you will use in the game, everyone has their own shooting technique and release timing.

So again, get on the 2KU court, practice with your team and learn how each player releases the ball, because although they may have a good three-point shot on paper if your release isn't up to scratch, you will struggle to drain those shots.

Be realistic

The final thing you need to do is just be realistic.

Steph Curry may have hot zones from every position around the arc, but that doesn't mean he will make every shot, especially if he is heavily contested or rushed into his shot.

When playing on higher difficulties or online, your opposition will undoubtedly look to double up on those better three-point shooters, so you will have to be very selective in when you shoot the ball and when you don't.

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Shooting an open three with a B shooter will prove far more beneficial than shooting heavily contested with an A, so know all your players and choose wisely.