In NBA Live 19, running plays to score is fun, but when your opponents have the ball you’ll want to be able to play effective defense as well. In this NBA Live 19 defensive guide, we’ll cover the basics to do the important tasks like getting steals, blocking shots, and other essential plays for your defense. Read on for our how to play defense in NBA Live 19 help guide.
How to play defense in NBA Live 19 basics
There are a number of controls to know when it comes to playing defense like an NBA All-Star. For example, you’ll want to be able to sprint down the court to get back on defense or get into position. You sprint by holding R2 on the PS4 as you use the sticks to move down the court.
To lock down your opponent and give a defensive assist hold the L2 button. Hold L2 and use the Left stick for the best overall defensive position. Watch your opponent’s feet as it will show directional arrows to give an indication which way they’ll go. Use the Left Stick to cut off their moves by paying attention to their direction and staying in their path.
How about getting those steals? You can steal the ball by pressing the Square button on the PS4 controller. However, you don’t want to get overzealous. If you go for a steal and mistime it, your opponent may get an open lane to drive. Additionally, if you tap Square too aggressively, you may get whistled for a foul.
Blocking shots is a matter of timing too. Just before your opponent is going up for a shot, you’ll need to tap the Triangle button on your controller. If timed right, you’ll swat the shot away. Once again, if too aggressive this can also result in fouls or a missed block and an easy score.
How to play defense in NBA Live 19 advanced
The basics can help you do those ordinary tasks in NBA Live basketball, which still require some skills to achieve. More advanced techniques include giving fouls when you need to, taking a charge, double-teaming players, or denying the ball.
Let’s say you want to double team a player who is hot in the game. To do that, hold the Circle button on the PS4. Just keep in mind when you double team one player, it frees up another, so be ready for quick defensive adjustments.
Another option to prevent certain players from getting the ball is to use the Deny Ball control. This is similar to the defensive assist. Hold the L2 button when you’re near an opponent without the ball. This allows your defender to prevent a pass coming to that particular player.
An intentional foul is often necessary for the late stages of a game if you want to stop the clock to put your opponent at the line and get the ball back. Or you may use it if you’re ahead by three points with very little time left and want to prevent the opponent from shooting a three. Either way, you’ll need to repeatedly tap the Circle button on your PS4 controller to intentionally foul.
How to play defense in NBA Live 19 other techniques
Two other advanced controls are also necessary. If a player is driving towards the hoop and you want to try to take a charge, you can hold the Right Stick down as they come at you. Additionally, if a player is driving at you and you want to contest their play, hold the Right Stick up.
There are also some team defensive pressure NBA Live play call controls to use. These all are accomplished by using the directional pad on your controller.
- To pack the paint – Double tap Up
- Focus defense on a star – Double tap Left
- Go to coach default defense – Double tap Down
- Pressure the shooters – Double tap right
Hold down on the D-pad to pull up your coach’s menu and you can choose from a variety of options including adjustments or substitutions.
Mastering these controls takes a bit of work. Luckily, there’s a Drills Mode built into NBA Live 19. This will get you through the basics. Some of the more advanced techniques and figuring out how to guard particular teams will require more in-game practice.
Once you’ve got them down, you’ll have opponents frustrated as they find it more difficult to score or find opportunities against your solid defensive effort!