The NBA 2K21 shooting controls bring a new dynamic to the popular basketball game. In the game, 2K has changed things up with a new shot meter that some gamers hate, and others are learning to love. In this guide, we’ll show you how to shoot using the new shot meter in NBA 2K21 so you can have more makes than misses.
How to use NBA 2K21 shooting with new shot meter
In the previous editions of NBA 2K, the shot meter was a vertical curve with the objective being to time your shot just right for release. Basically, players wanted to go green, meaning it was a perfectly timed shot. In the NBA 2K21 shooting system, they now have a horizontal meter above your shooter.
How to use NBA 2K21 shot meter with controller button:
Press Square on the PS4 controller or press the X button on Xbox One controller. This begins the shooting motion. You’ll see the shot meter appear above your player.
Release the Square/X button as the moving “tick” line on the meter is close to or right on the thin dark line in the shaded/color area of the shot meter. See the image below via NBA 2K Tutes for a closer look at the meter.
How to use NBA 2K21 shot meter with the Pro Stick:
Hold down the Right Stick on your game controller. This begins the shooting and brings up the shot meter above your player. The moving line will start somewhere near the middle of that shaded/color area on the meter.
You can use the Right Stick to aim your shot. While holding the Right Stick down, press it towards the right or left to aim.
You still need to line up the shot meter as shown in the screenshot above, but the Right Stick makes you aim your shot more. Basically, you have to be quick in terms of making your movements with the Stick to get things right.
After you take your shot, you’ll get an on-screen note where the shot meter was. It will tell you if your shot was early, late, to the right, left, or centered, depending on the shot method you used.
Tips for using or adjusting the shot meter
It’s a big change for the NBA 2K21 shooting system, but practice can help you get it down. The 2KU spot in the “Play Now” menu allows for a freestyle mode. With this, you can choose a team and use a shooter to practice the new shot meter. By the way, it’s also possible to adjust the shot meter or take it away completely.
NBA 2K’s Mike Wang provided some helpful NBA 2K21 shooting tips ahead of the game’s release. Of note, he mentioned if you’re planning to use the button for shooting, turning off the Shot Meter can give a boost.
To turn off Shot Meter, go into Options > Controller Settings. Switch Shot Meter to Off or “Free Throw Only.”
Wang also mentions in his tweet you can make it so the Stick doesn’t use Shot Aiming. Simply go into Options > Controller Settings, and set Shot Aiming to Off.
Based on Mike’s tweet, going “green” on your release is even tougher this year, which seems necessary. Why make it easy for everyone to knock down every single shot they take? This will help separate contenders from pretenders. Most likely, the 2K dev team will be tuning things if they’re noticing a lot of bad feedback, though.
Check out the video below to get a closer look at how the new shot meter works. With the use of this guide, Mike Wang’s tips, and the video along with practice sessions, you’ll be shooting lights out in NBA 2K21!
Also, see our guide for how to dunk in NBA 2K21. In addition, see our guide on how to adjust the 2K21 camera angle or view.
Visit our NBA 2K page for more guides and the latest news about the game.