Basketball is a game of strategy on the run. There are no huddles to discuss tactics, and there are few breaks in the action to catch your breath. Because of this, novice players can easily get flustered when they first try to play videogame basketball. Mastery requires both understanding the controls and coming to grips with the sport's fundamental strategy.
Allen Iverson's still got it.
Introducing the Sport
Basketball as a sport is familiar to millions, and provided you have at least a passing knowledge of the game (as in, you know the ball goes in the basket), you shouldn't feel too uncomfortable starting out with a basketball video game.
Here it comes!
That said, the most important basic for a newcomer to grasp is the different positions and their strengths and responsibilities. Understand the following, and it will go a long way towards getting the most out of your personnel.
- Point Guard (PG): The point guard (think Steve Nash) is your General. He calls the plays and distributes the ball for the best shot. Typically, your point guard should also be a good outside shooter, though they won't be your go-too guy for field goals.
- Shooting Guard (SG): Your shooting guard (think Kobe Bryant) is your outside weapon. He represents the biggest scoring threat outside of the paint (the free throw area underneath the hoop), and is usually a good ball-handler and fast enough to drive to the basket as well.
- Small Forward (SF): The small forward (think LeBron James) plays closer to the basket than your guards, but should also boast a decent mid-range jumper. Because of their size, they're not the best ball handlers, so they work best near the paint, or without a close defender.
- Power Forward (PF): Your power forward (think Kevin Garnett) is at his best in the paint with his back to the basket. With your center, he represents the strength of your D, blocking shots, pulling rebounds, and working the other team under their basket.
- Center (C): Your big man (think Shaq) is the dominant force under the basket. Few centers have a good outside shot, but with their size they can dominate up close. Apart from the all-stars, this position is much more important on defense under the basket than running the court.
Your point guard should control the flow of the offense.
The Basics
The following tips should apply to all basketball video games, and should help you get started:
The Release
In today's basketball games, you no longer simply press a button to shoot. Now the games test your skill by requiring you to release a stick or button at the optimum time in a player's jump to make a basket. The ideal timing may vary from game to game, but most games have a practice mode where you can find your rhythm and get comfortable shooting the ball.
A.I. Defense
Playing defense properly can be tricky, so it is usually best left to the A.I. if you're just getting started. In most games, if you don't move the stick when you switch to a player, the A.I. will maintain control of them. Use this as your basic defensive strategy, and then choose carefully when you want to try to steal the ball or block a shot.
T-Mac never looked so good.
Pump Fake
Faking out your defender by pumping the ball as if you're about to shoot is a classic tactic, and it is especially effective against human opponents, so be sure to use it online. Not only will a pump fake get your defender to leave their feet, but if you shoot when they're in the air, you might get a trip to the free throw line as your defender comes down on top of you.
Make sure they're really shooting before you jump.
Calling Plays
Basketball may not have the fat playbooks with dozens of variations that football has, but you will still have to run plays to succeed, especially on the harder difficulty settings. This isn't comprehensive, but these are the basics:
- The Screen: This play calls out a teammate to stand to one side and screen the defender from you when you run in their direction. They essentially become an obstacle to slow the defender down, leaving an opening for a shot, a drive to the basket, or for another teammate to step up.
- Pick and Roll: This is similar to the screen, except after the screen, your teammates make for the basket, allowing you to pass off to one of them for an easy shot.
- Quick Post: Calling for a quick post tells a teammate (usually the power forward or center) to camp near the basket. Feed them the ball, and they can either take a quick shot, or pass the ball back out to an open shooter.
Strengths and Weaknesses
If you aren't very familiar with your team, take a good look at each player's skills and abilities in the Roster menu. Understanding who the best players are for dunks, jump shots, blocking, rebounding, and passing is vital to using your team effectively.
These are only some of the basics for succeeding in basketball, but they will help you get started as you begin mastering videogame hoops. Good luck!
