Above the Rim Controls: Complete Gameplay Guide for Basketball Sim Fans
Master Above the Rim controls with this comprehensive guide. Learn manual gameplay, AI options, season setup, and advanced features for the college basketball sim.
If you've just picked up ASG Games' college basketball simulation and want to hit the court running, understanding the above the rim controls is your first step to dominating the hardwood. Whether you're replaying historic seasons or building a custom tournament from scratch, this guide breaks down every control option and gameplay feature so you can get the most out of your experience. The above the Rim controls give you flexibility that most sports sims don't offer — from full manual play-calling to hands-off auto-play.
Getting Started with Above the Rim Controls
Above the Rim is a play-by-play simulation covering both men's and women's college basketball. Developed by ASG Games, the program lets you replay full seasons (often exceeding 6,000 games), run year-specific tournaments, or create entirely custom season formats using purchased team packs.
When you first launch a game, you'll need to decide how hands-on you want to be. The above the rim controls are designed to accommodate everyone from stat junkies who want to micromanage every possession to casual fans who prefer to sim through entire seasons in minutes.
| Control Mode | Best For | Level of Involvement |
|---|---|---|
| Full Manual | Players who want complete control over every play | High |
| AI Strategy Assist | Players who want to call plays but let AI handle substitutions | Medium |
| Auto-Play | Players who want to sim games quickly | Low |
| Instant Sim | Season-long replay without watching individual games | Minimal |
Manual Gameplay Controls and Options
For those who want to dive deep, the manual gameplay mode puts you in the coach's seat. According to the official game description, you can control teams yourself or delegate specific responsibilities to the AI.
When playing manually, you'll interact with several key systems:
- Strategy Control: Decide offensive and defensive schemes for your team
- Substitution Management: Rotate players based on fatigue, matchups, and foul trouble
- Play-by-Play Interaction: Make decisions as each play unfolds
The game also offers transparency into its underlying engine. You can view dice rolls against specific player ratings and see a summary of how various ratings affect the outcome of each play. This feature is particularly valuable for understanding why certain plays succeed or fail, helping you make better strategic decisions over time.
Auto-Play and Simulation Controls
Not every game needs your full attention, and that's where the auto-play above the rim controls shine. You have multiple options for letting the AI take the wheel:
Partial Auto-Play Options:
- Pass strategy control to AI while you watch
- Let AI handle substitutions while you call plays
- Combine both for a mostly hands-off experience
Full Auto-Play:
- Simulate individual games instantly
- Auto-play specific tournament rounds
- Run entire tournaments from start to finish
- Simulate full seasons in one go
This tiered approach means you can stay engaged with rivalry games while breezing through less interesting matchups.
Navigating the Game Interface
The above the rim controls extend beyond just gameplay decisions. The interface includes several screens that help you manage your basketball universe:
| Screen | What It Shows | How You Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Game Screen | Live action and current game state | Make real-time decisions during manual play |
| Dice Rolls | Random number generation results | Understand the math behind outcomes |
| Game Engine | Rating impact breakdowns | Learn which stats matter most |
| Boxscore | Detailed stats by period | Analyze performance post-game |
| Play by Play | Text description of each possession | Follow action you might have missed |
| Schedule | Upcoming games and results | Plan your season and track progress |
| Tournament Schedule | Bracket display with autoplay options | Manage tournament progression |
| Standings | Conference rankings and seedings | Track your team's position |
| Statistics | Sortable team and player stats | Identify strengths and weaknesses |
| Leaders | Top 10 lists and season highlights | Find the best performers |
| Teams | Team summaries, rosters, availability | Manage your roster and starters |
| Players | Individual player profiles | Scout opponents and track development |
Season Format Controls and Setup
One of the most powerful aspects of the above the rim controls is the ability to create custom seasons. The game offers three main season format types:
Regular Seasons
Build a league with up to 4 conferences containing up to 20 teams each. You can schedule:
- Conference-only games
- Mixed conference and inter-conference play
- End-of-season conference tournaments
- National tournaments featuring the top 4 teams from each conference
Tournaments
Set up bracket-style competitions with two approaches:
- Traditional Format: 4 brackets with up to 16 teams each
- Pro Style: Free-form setup supporting up to 64 teams, seeded or unseeded, playing 1-7 games
Single Team Replay
Focus on one team by creating a custom schedule or running a short exhibition series of 1-7 games. This is perfect for recreating specific historical runs or testing your coaching skills with a single squad.
Team Packs and Historical Content
To expand your options, ASG Games offers team packs spanning multiple decades:
| Decade Pack | Approximate Teams | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | ~80 teams | Depth varies based on available stats |
| 1960s | ~80 teams | Depth varies based on available stats |
| 1970s | ~80 teams | Depth varies based on available stats |
| 1980s | ~80 teams | Depth varies based on available stats |
These packs integrate seamlessly with the season creation tools, letting you build dream matchups across eras. Year-specific tournaments also use actual historical teams and seedings where data is available, including play-in teams for more recent years.
Tips for Mastering Above the Rim Controls
Based on community reports and the game's design, here are some practical tips for getting the most out of the experience:
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Start with AI assists: If you're new, let the AI handle substitutions while you focus on strategy. This reduces the learning curve significantly.
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Use the dice roll display: Understanding how ratings translate to outcomes will make you a better virtual coach over time.
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Experiment with season formats: Try a single-team replay first to learn the controls before committing to a full 6,000+ game season.
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Check the help section: The program includes detailed explanations of how seedings are calculated and how the simulation engine works.
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Mix manual and auto-play: Play your rivalry games manually and auto-sim the rest to balance engagement with time investment.
For more information about the game and to purchase team packs or full seasons, visit the official ASG Games Above the Rim page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main above the rim controls available in the game? The main controls include manual strategy calling, substitution management, AI delegation options, and multiple auto-play modes. You can control every aspect yourself or let the AI handle everything from individual plays to entire seasons.
Can I customize season formats in Above the Rim? Yes, the game offers three season format types: regular seasons (up to 4 conferences with 20 teams each), tournaments (traditional 4-bracket or pro-style free format with up to 64 teams), and single-team replay modes for focused gameplay.
Does Above the Rim include historical teams and tournaments? The game includes year-specific tournaments with actual historical teams and seedings where available. Team packs covering the 1950s through 1980s are also available, each containing approximately 80 teams with depth varying based on available statistics.
Is there an auto-play option for above the rim controls? Absolutely. You can auto-play individual games, specific tournament rounds, entire tournaments, or full seasons. The game also offers partial auto-play where you can delegate strategy or substitutions to the AI while maintaining control over other aspects.