Below are the 3 methods of running plays:
Red/Black Circle Plays
First, hit L1/LB to bring up your play chart and choose which particular play you want to run.
The next step is to follow the on screen indicators.
Indicators include the red and black circles as well as the X/A icon above certain players' heads.
RED CIRCLES: tell you where you need to stand in order to run the play. Sometimes you have to stand in the spot until ALL YOUR TEAMMATES are in the right position.
BLACK CIRCLES: tell you where you, as the play-caller (most likely the PG), need to move next.
Example of a play with circles: I can't remember what the play is called (something Nash CF 15), but it is your basic pick and roll and works well when running with the Suns. You call the play and a
red icon will pop up near the sideline behind the 3pt line. After you move to the circle, you will notice that the
red circle you were standing near has disappeared and a
black circle is now visible just outside the 3 pt line. Move to that spot and you will notice that your PF (or other screener) will move up towards the 3 point line to set a pick for you. After the pick is set, the
black circle will again move to a spot right under the basket where you are supposed to run for either a layup or a kick back outside to an open shooter.
So, after you call the play, use the screen to get an open shot from about 20-25 ft or take it to the hole.
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X/A Indicator Plays
The
X/A icon above players heads guides you as you run other plays. The player highlighted by the
X/A icon is the player who is intended to receive the ball.
Wait until the grey
X/A icon above a player's head lights up (the
X will turn blue and I'm going to assume that the
A will turn green on 360). Doing so will allow you to hit X/A instead of using passing icons to get the ball to that receiver.
Example of two plays which use icons (can't think of the names):
One play which is great to run with the Mavs. You are pretty much calling for Dirk to work off of an off-ball screen. So you call the play, the
X/A icon will show up above his head in GREY. He'll work with a teammate near the basket and get free off of the screen. As he finds himself in space rolling towards the top of the key. the icon will illuminate and you should hit
X/
A to give him the ball. Then, shoot the open jumper if the screen was executed properly and if not, work the ball around for a better shot.
There is another play designed to get the ball to your PF, which I remember last running in a game with the Celtics. The play is called and the
X/A icon will show up above the SG head. After it lights up, pass the rock. Once the ball gets to the SG, the
X/A icon will jump to the SF (Paul Pierce in this case). Give the SF the ball and you'll notice that the
X/A icon will show up above the PF (Garnett) but it will be grey. The PF will utilize a screen set by the C on the baseline and ask for the ball, afterwhich the
X/A icon will light up. Give him the ball and either take a quick shot or go to work down low.
Simply, this play calls for your players to swing the ball around the 3 pt line and try to get a high percentage shot down low.
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The last way to run plays is by calling quick plays by hitting
R1/RB. Hitting
R1/RB is a faster way to access the 4 quick plays found on the 3rd page of your team's playbook (or the plays that show up when there are less than 15 seconds on the playclock). So if you hit
R1/RB, you'll notice that your teammates try to get your SG an off ball screen, your PF/C will post up, and your star player will try to get open. Follow the
X/A indicator to run the quick play.
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REMEMBER that you don't have to run every play from star to finish. Just run the play until you get a clean look at the basket. In the pick and roll play, stop and pop once you dribble off the screen. In the icon plays, work the ball around until you have an open look and take it.