2K Play Names

Dated Sep 6, 2026; last modified on Sun, 06 Sep 2026

Action Descriptors

The first word in a play name is a descriptor of the primary action of the play, e.g., ISO 1 GO, FIST HORNS FLIP 35. ISO ... are isolation plays. FIST ... are pick and roll plays. PUNCH ... are post up plays. HIGH ... are high post plays. CUT ... are cutter plays where the target player is heading to the basket. GIVE ... are plays where the last step before a shot is a handoff. QUICK ... are offscreen plays where the player comes off a screen ready to shoot. FLOPPY ... are offscreen plays where the player coming off the screen can choose the direction in which to run off.

Numbers in the Play

Generally, the numbers correspond to positions: 1 -> PG, 2 -> SG, 3 -> SF, 4 -> PF, 5 -> C. FIST 15... means that the 1 and the 5 are involved in the PnR (FIST) play.

DIVE Action

A DIVE action involves a big jogging down the middle of the floor as if to set a ball-screen, but instead picks up speed to cut right down the middle of the floor. The number following DIVE notes the player performing the DIVE action. For example, FIST 15 DIVE 4 has 4 doing a DIVE, and then 1 and 5 doing a PnR.

SWING Set

... SWING ... plays involve a set with two players at the slots, 2 players on the wing, and one post player. For example, FIST 14 SWING has a SWING set that leads to a 14 PnR for the scoring option.

A SWING set involves sets up 4 players outside and 1 inside. The objective of SWING is to get inside shots. Credits: www.basketballforcoaches.com

A SWING set involves sets up 4 players outside and 1 inside. The objective of SWING is to get inside shots. Credits: www.basketballforcoaches.com

HAWK Action

The basic option of the Hawk offense is the off guard’s rub cut off a high post screen. As the 1 dribble-penetrates, the 4 sets a back-screen for the off guard.

Basic option of the Hawk offense. Credits: hooptactics.net

Basic option of the Hawk offense. Credits: hooptactics.net

... HAWK ... plays involve an off guard cutting to the basket off a high post screen. For example, FIST 14 HAWK has an off guard get a high post back-screen and then 1 and 4 get into a PnR action.

HORNS Set

In the HORNS set, both post players are high near the arc, and the two guards are in the corner. The formation looks like the horns of a bull. Credits: www.coachesclipboard.net

In the HORNS set, both post players are high near the arc, and the two guards are in the corner. The formation looks like the horns of a bull. Credits: www.coachesclipboard.net

FLIP Action

... HORNS FLIP ... has the two high post players in a HORNS set switch positions by one of them screening the other.

In a flip screen, the screener never comes to a complete stop before quickly flipping to the other side of the on-ball defender. Credits: medium.com/thebasketballactiondictionary

In a flip screen, the screener never comes to a complete stop before quickly flipping to the other side of the on-ball defender. Credits: medium.com/thebasketballactiondictionary

and are using FLIP differently.

References

  1. Da_Czar's #NBA2k16 Tutorial Understand Play Names AGAIN. Da_Czar. www.youtube.com . Oct 1, 2015. Accessed Sep 6, 2026.
  2. “Dive”. Term: Dive | The Basketball Dictionary. Dylan Murphy. medium.com . Mar 28, 2018. Accessed Sep 6, 2026.
  3. Swing Offense - Complete Coaching Guide (Includes Images). www.basketballforcoaches.com . Accessed Sep 6, 2026.
  4. Set Offense - Hawk. hooptactics.net . Accessed Sep 6, 2026.
  5. Basketball Horns Offense, Coach's Clipboard. www.coachesclipboard.net . Accessed Sep 6, 2026.
  6. A Diagram of Every Type of Ballscreen/Pick-and-Roll | by The Basketball Action Dictionary | The Basketball Action Dictionary | Medium. medium.com . Jan 21, 2022. Accessed Sep 6, 2026.