Here's How to Defend in "NBA 2K21" (From Steals to Flops to Intentional Fouls)

Gotta love flopping.

Is any player in the NBA unguardable? Not if we have anything to say about it.

We know exactly how to shut down Giannis, Joel, Dame, Kawhi and LeBron… in NBA 2K21 at least. (In real life? Oh, no, they’d destroy us.)

If you want to have a chance against any opponent while playing the latest instalment of the basketball franchise, you’re gonna need to learn the intricacies of defence, which is just as important as nailing your three-point shot (maybe even moreso given how tricky the new shooting function is).

And a big part of that is drawing fouls by flopping as frequently as possible. It’s not pretty, but it gets the job done.

Read on to find out how!

(This game was previewed on the PS4, as provided for free by 2K Games. All screenshots correspond to the PlayStation experience. Nonetheless, we'll outline the correct buttons for Xbox One as well.)

Knowing Who to Defend

Don’t just rush to whoever has the ball. Your player icon will actually point towards the opponent you need to tail. If you don’t defend them, you’ll be leaving a hole for the offensive team. Instead, press X on the PS4 or A on the Xbox One to player swap if you want to move to another defender that’s cutting to the basket.

On-Ball Defence

These are the first moves you should make before doing something drastic.

Intense-D: Get into a low defensive stance and create an intimidating semi-circle around the opposing player by pressing and holding L2 on PS4 or LT on Xbox One. Yeah, give them that Intense-D.

Crowd Dribbler: Don’t let another player set a screen between you and your man (or woman if you're in WNBA mode). Press and hold L2 on PS4 or LT on Xbox One and move the left thumbstick towards the dribbler to get up close and personal.

Fast Shuffle: Don't let them make a fast break either! Press and hold L2 and R2 on PS4 or LT and RT on Xbox One and move the left thumbstick in any direction to get in their way.

Hands Up: Keep them from taking a shot over you by moving and holding the right thumbstick up.

Hands Out: If you think they’ll pass to either side of you, move and hold the right thumbstick to the left or right and defend their passing lane.

Double Team: It’s not just a classic Dennis Rodman movie! Press and hold L1 on PS4 or LB on Xbox One to call for help.

Blocking a Shot

If the opponent is clearly going to take a shot, or you arrived too late to stop them, here are your options. Just be careful with your timing (and your placement under the net) or you could get called for a foul, or even goal tending (which will result in points against you regardless).

Block: Not in this house. Press Triangle on PS4 or Y on Xbox One when near the shooter.

Swat Block: Are either you or the shooter on the run? Hold R2 and press Triangle on PS4 or RT and Y on Xbox One for the ultimate LeBron move.

Vertical Contest: Add some height or distance to your block by holding the left thumbstick away from the shooter and pressing Triangle on PS4 or Y on Xbox One.

Shot Contest: Not near the shooter but want to freak them out? Move the right thumbstick up and then quickly release as they’re taking a shot. Be mindful of pump-fakes!

Stealing the Ball

Straight up steal the ball from the opponent by pressing square on the PS4 or X on the Xbox One. If you’re up close, move the right thumbstick down then quickly release for an onball steal.

Pro tip: Only steal when the other player is dribbling, or you’ll get a foul called on you for sure. Pesky refs, always upholding the rules!

Flopping and Fouling

Desperate times call for desperate measures. If your opponent is running towards you with the ball, you can either take the charge by pressing and holding Circle on PS4 or B on Xbox One, or you can flop just like they do in soccer by double-tapping Circle/B. If you’re lucky, a foul will be called on the other team. Or, the ref will smell a faker and call a foul on you. Curse their hides!

If you’ve got fouls to give and need a stoppage, it's time for a hug. Intentionally foul by pressing and holding Square on the PS4 or X on Xbox One when near the ball handler.

Yes, there’s even more.

You better believe there are more post body-up moves to uncover that'll help you shut down spins, drives, dropsteps and hopsteps.

Plus, you’ll have an advantage if you know which players are ace defenders in real-life, because how they perform normally is replicated in the game. (Fancy.)

So, get out there and start flopping!

NBA 2K21 is now available. (Affiliate disclosure: Student Edge may earn a commission if you click that link and buy a product from our partner's page.)

Here's How to Defend in "NBA 2K21" (From Steals to Flops to Intentional Fouls)