Playmaking moves are core to almost every build in NBA 2K22. These are these little stutter steps, fakeouts, and sudden bursts of speed that take players from covered to wide open. Gamers that use these moves can get open with just a waggle of the joystick.

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Since dribble moves cost stamina, using only the moves that work well is a key component of the game. Using the default selections will end up with the MyPlayer being tired at the end of a game using useless moves that didn't make any difference. These are the moves in NBA 2K22 that pay the best dividends when they get used.

Updated on May 7th, 2022 by Hodey Johns: Perhaps the biggest difference between the pros and the amateurs is their dribbling skills. But one way to catch up that too many rookies fail to find involves the animations. Even the best player, using bad dribble animations, will be frequently stripped and unable to get themselves open. Practice, as always, helps, but practicing with inferior dribbling moves isn't helpful. This guide has been updated not only to show the best overall dribble moves, and it now accounts for player preference for gamers looking to secure the ball better, execute their moves faster, or deceive their opponents. For gamers that are playing with a less-than-elite dribbler, information has been added about the best move for players that don't have the required move.

Dribble Style

There are three pieces to having an ideal dribbling style. Dribbling should be low to prevent steals, fast on the run, and the feet need to be even so that breaking left or right is equally powerful. Each style has its positives and negatives, but the Fundamental style fills all of these categories.

This basic style affects driving, too, so don't forget to invest in the ideal playmaking badges. That can help out when needing to make some adjustments while on the move.

Moving Crossover

The J. Tatum crossover doesn't slow down on the drive like many other crossovers. Also, the body language appears to go in the opposite direction than the player actually moves, which grants some easy ankle-breakers against both AI and human opponents. Jayson Tatum is one of the best power forwards in the league and it's his unique ability to dribble at the position that sets him apart.

For those who don't have superior ball-handling skills, normal and basic are the two choices. The normal is a touch faster and more secure than its counterpart.

Moving Behind The Back

The point of going behind the back is to protect the ball, but almost all of these moves sacrifice speed to pull the move off. Thankfully, the K. Leonard move protects the ball while keeping the same speed while driving, making it the easy choice of the bunch.

Kawhi Leonard is one of the best small forwards in the business, and his ability to shake a defender with this move translated nicely to the video game version of himself.

Non-elite ball handlers will want Normal over Basic. The basic behind-the-back move appears to inadvertently trip at the end, making it slow and very easy to strip.

Moving Stepback

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Because moving stepbacks are used to transition into a jumpshot, they should throw off the defender by appearing to continue forward and then quickly prepare to take a shot. The fastest of these is the C. Paul which also has a very convincing fake at the beginning, making it the no-brainer choice.

If the move works, but the shots don't seem to find the bottom of the bucket, try using a fantastic custom jumper.

The Normal move is a great backup for those who don't have high handling skills. It's over in the blink of an eye, allowing shots to go up as fast as possible after the stepback.

Moving Spin

Moving spins should throw a defender off during a drive, but if they are too slow or unconvincing, the defender can easily get back into position. The J. Embiid moving spin is not only convincing, but manages to accelerate faster during the process. He's one of the best centers in the NBA and many believed he should have been last year's MVP. Anybody that thinks centers don't have ball-handling skills will be floored at this maneuver.

The Normal and Basic spins are very closely related. Normal gets the nod for being a bit faster.

Moving Hesitation

Unlike many dribble moves where the goal is to execute them quickly, the moving hesitation needs to look like the player is changing directions or crossing over. This movement causes the defender to readjust, then the ball handler can resume course with a sudden burst of speed. The fake on the L. Doncic hesitation is a good one and the acceleration afterward has to be seen to be believed.

Basic and Normal hesitations are both very closely related. Basic executes fast but the move is virtually invisible. It's not enough to make opponents get out of position. Normal isn't anything fancy, but it at least does the job.

Signature Size-Up

Size-ups cost stamina to use, so a bad one that doesn't make the defender move is seriously detrimental to ball handlers. Ideally, they need to fake both left and right, then front and back, fooling the defender about what the next move will be. The C. Anthony size-up directions are all believable and engage in all four directions.

Normal size-ups are fancier than Basic but they don't look convincing. Since they are all unconvincing size-up moves that won't shake the defense, it's better to use Basic between the two requirement-free selections.

Signature Combo

RELATED: NBA 2K22: How To Make The Best Three-Point Shooter BuildThis is an easy choice, as Kyrie Irving is widely regarded as having one of the best signature combos of all time. What makes the K. Irving combo so successful is the convincing movements, low ball control, and how well the ball is protected. This move often leaves the ball defenseless for brief moments, but Irving leaves no real window for stealing during these moves.

Unfortunately, Basic is the only option in this category for those without certain minimums.

Size-Up Escape Package

The objective of an escape package is to rapidly adjust to get some space away from the defender. It should cover a lot of distance and resolve hastily for a free shot. The K. Bryant package does all of this and has some unique animations for going back-left and back-right, a recipe for some completely open jumpers.

Between the two freebie options, Basic is by far the better choice. Normal has this floaty motion that leaves the ball rather exposed and takes too long to resolve.

Triple Threat Style

The triple threat should be a smooth but not obvious transition into shooting or dribbling. Most triple threat styles only tease in one direction, but the WNBA 2 triple threat can fluidly move left, right, and forward. What sets it over the top is how the move also goes back for smooth jumpers.

Since there are no triple threat styles that have any requirements at all, feel free to choose a favorite on this one, regardless of height and ball handling.

Park Flashy Passes

This one isn't a dribble, but it is included with the playmaking moves. The Wizard delivers a nice fake pass in one direction while sending the ball flying another way, perfect for making defenders look completely confused in the park.

Once again, there aren't any requirements for these passes, so go ahead and be as flamboyant as desired!

NBA 2K22 was released on September 9th, 2021, and is available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

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