Yesterday we shared some of the improvements we’ve made over the last two weeks to the game from our first beta. Today, we want to give you some tips to help you improve your game this weekend as you chase the ‘chip.

Remember, our second Closed Beta playtest is happening Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 10 AM PT – 2 PM PT (1 PM ET – 5 PM ET). Lock in! 

Shot Timing

The timing is unique to each character based on their jump shot. We don’t have a shot meter because we want you to feel the spot where you should release the button – so you have to aim for the apex. We didn’t want to add a meter to clutter the HUD, our game is more about instinct and fun.

The small circle under each player’s feet when they have the ball indicates how you should feel about them taking a shot from where you are on the court (green is great, yellow is good, orange is okay and red is not good). Depending on which In the Zone ability you have, activating it can extend this range. 

The timing of your shot release, combined with the range dot under your feet, whether your feet are set or you’re moving, if defenders are near you, all makes shooting harder. And when everything clicks – we do have perfect shots, which you’ll see when the ball catches fire.

Stamina Management

This is a key strategic element to the game. You can’t just hold turbo down – if you run out of juice, you can’t do moves like dive, jump up for alley oops or shove. The outlined circle under your feet shows you your stamina and refill rates vary by character. Managing your stamina the right way can keep your run going.

Guarding and Ball Protection

Holding Left Trigger or L2 on your controller is crucial on offense and defense. On defense, it helps you clamp down on a targeted opponent and reduces their stats. This makes steals and blocks easier. On offense, protecting the ball with the same buttons makes you less prone to steals and shoves and can set you up to perform an off the heezay.

Advanced Dunks & Taunts

At launch, you’ll earn CRED and visit the Shop, where you can pick up items to customize your players, including dunk animations and taunts. Because the shop isn’t in the beta, we’ve pre-selected four of each and mapped them for everyone. Advanced dunks are mapped to different combinations of the shoulder buttons and left trigger, along with the dunk button (every player also has a default dunk). These fill up your In the Zone bar quicker, but they are harder to execute, especially if you aren’t playing with a high flyer. Is the risk worth the reward?

Similarly, taunts are mapped to the D-pad. This is streetball, let ‘em know how you feel! We didn’t see a lot of you utilizing advanced dunks or taunts in the first test, and want to make sure you take full advantage this weekend.

Advanced Tricks

Advanced tricks are performed by holding the left bumper plus a direction on the Right Stick. Advanced tricks cost more stamina but are more powerful. Performing an advanced trick does have risks. Players with an average or below handles rating can break their own ankles and cough up the ball. However if a defender misses a shove or steal during an advanced trick they will have their ankles broken. 

Another reason to use advanced tricks is spacing. Advanced spins move you further and faster left or right. Advanced step backs move you back quicker and faster to unleash a clear shot. And the advanced forward tricks are more likely to stun a defender. Look for players that have their own unique animation based on real life.

Modified Passing

To direct pass to a player, hold down Left Bumper and press the button they’re assigned to. You’ll also notice you can also throw the ball off the backboard where you can finish a self alley-oop or toss one to a teammate or even string them together in succession. Can you pull off an alley-alley-oop mid-run?

In the Zone

Last, but not least, there’s In the Zone – a feature that combines some classic mechanics to take your gameplay to the next level for a burst of time. 

It’s simple – the better you and your team play together – more tricks, dunks, dimes and buckets – the more In the Zone points you rack up in the HUD. Once filled your player can trigger 30 seconds of heightened play. Physical stats like speed, power, and stamina are increased and each player gets their own unique Zone Ability.

• Dropping Dimes allows elite passers to give their teammates a shooting boost off a pass. 
• Deep Threat extends your shooting range and reduces the effectiveness of guard ratings. 
• Paint Patrol increases your block rating and chance to posterize, extending knockdown time of your opponents by 1.5x.

Learning everyone’s zone abilities can really inform team composition and in-game strategy and adjustments on offense and defense. We can’t wait to see what kind of combos the community cooks up.

Good luck this weekend! You can keep up to date by RUNNING with us at nbatherun.com and stay ready with the official crew on Discord. Lock in with our socials on X, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. 

For an early peek at what’s coming Saturday, head over to the NBA Discord at 2 PM PT for some fresh gameplay with the Play by Play Studios team and some Q&A with our Creative Director, Mike Young.

Either way, we’ll see you Saturday. Let’s RUN!