Helena Frye
A basketball screen, or pick, is a fundamental part of the game, used by the offense to block or obstruct a defensive player, allowing the screener's teammate to get open for a pass or shot. The defender must adapt to the different types of screens being set and work with their teammates to guard the action and rotate out of it. This article will explore the different types of screens and strategies for defenders to avoid them effectively. By understanding the various techniques and practicing quality repetitions, defenders can improve their ability to navigate screens and enhance their overall defensive performance in basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Positioning | Get in the screener's path and be physical. |
| Stay low to avoid the screen and push the ball handler out without help. | |
| Communication | The defense must communicate, help, and rotate. |
| All players must be on the same page. | |
| Trust | Each player must do their job effectively. |
| Screening | Cheat under the screen and meet the offensive player on the other side. |
| Keep your body between the offensive player and the screener. | |
| Be careful of getting back cut. | |
| Use different types of screens, such as ball screens, down screens, back screens, away screens, flat screens, flex screens, etc. | |
| Set up the defender by faking in the opposite direction. | |
| Explode off the screen to leave the defender behind. | |
| Make sure to time the screen correctly and be patient. |
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What You'll Learn
- Be patient and wait for the screen to arrive
- Make contact with the defender, but don't foul, hold or push
- Set up the defender by faking in the opposite direction
- Set the screen close to the defender, giving them less space to navigate
- After the screen, roll or slip to the basket, pop to the perimeter, or get into your next position
Be patient and wait for the screen to arrive
When it comes to basketball, setting a good screen or "pick" is a critical skill. It involves an offensive player using their body to block or separate a defensive player from the person they are guarding, freeing up their teammate to make a shot or create a play.
To set up a successful screen, the player receiving the screen must be patient and wait for it to arrive. This is an important aspect of setting a good screen. If the offensive player makes their cut too soon, before the screen is set, the defender can easily get around it. The player needs to wait until the screener is completely set. If they leave too early, the screener will get called for an offensive foul.
Being patient and waiting for the screen also allows the offensive player to set up the defender. They can fake in the opposite direction, even with just a slight head fake, causing the defender to lean the wrong way. When the defender adjusts and explodes in the other direction, they will run hard into the screen.
Additionally, the timing of the screen is crucial. Sprinting to the spot ensures that the player is on time to make contact with the defender. Setting the screen at the right angle is also important. It should be set close to the defender, without fouling, giving them minimal space to navigate.
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Make contact with the defender, but don't foul, hold or push
Making contact with the defender is an important part of basketball, but it must be done without fouling, holding, or pushing. Here are some tips to achieve this:
Firstly, it is crucial to understand the difference between legal defensive techniques and fouls. Legal techniques include moving laterally, keeping your arms up, and maintaining your position without pushing or holding excessively. Fouls, on the other hand, occur when you make illegal physical contact with an opponent, such as pushing, holding, or using excessive force.
When making contact, use your chest instead of your hands, forearms, or legs. This is a legal defensive technique and will not result in a foul. Keep your elbows up and arms out, where the referee can see them. Additionally, you can use your forearm on their mid-back to brace yourself and maintain your position, but be careful not to push or hold them.
If contact has already been established, you are allowed to push back, but do so with a steady, lean push rather than a jerking motion. Avoid charging at your opponent's chest; instead, power through their shoulder, extended arm, or hip. Initiating contact with their chest could result in a defensive foul.
It is also important to note that you cannot impede an offensive player's route, but you can hold your ground. If their back is to you, you can use your forearm on their mid-back to maintain your position, but again, do not push them.
Finally, when defending, always keep your feet on the floor. Do not "fly" at the shooter to block their shot, as this can result in a foul. Instead, focus on using your feet and playing good defense without reaching in with your hands.
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Set up the defender by faking in the opposite direction
Setting up the defender by faking in the opposite direction is a crucial tactic in basketball to create opportunities for your team and avoid screens. Here are some detailed instructions to execute this effectively:
Firstly, understand the concept of setting a screen. This involves an offensive player positioning their body to block a defender's movement, enabling their teammate to move freely and create space. It is important to establish this position before initiating any action, as moving too early can result in an illegal screen.
Now, to fake in the opposite direction, you can start by taking a step in the opposite direction of the screen. This initial move can throw off the defender and create the necessary misdirection. If the defender doesn't react to this feint, you can quickly change direction and execute a "Give & Go" cut to the basket.
However, if the defender does react to your first move, you can then go in the opposite direction and set the screen. This back-and-forth motion will help you rub the defender off the screener and create the desired separation. Remember to maintain good body positioning throughout this process, keeping a solid, wide base and executing a bent-knee jump stop.
Additionally, when using this tactic, it's important to read the defensive deployment. Pay attention to how the defender is playing the receiver and pass to the opposite side. Most passes should be made within a 12' to 15' distance, spreading the defense and allowing for quick and accurate passing.
By setting up the defender with opposite direction fakes, you can effectively utilize screens to create scoring opportunities for your team while avoiding illegal contact and maintaining a fluid offense.
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Set the screen close to the defender, giving them less space to navigate
Setting a screen close to the defender is a great way to block them from their teammate and create an advantage for the offence. The screener must make contact with the defender they are trying to block, or else the defender will simply move around them. To avoid giving the defender time to react, the offensive player must set up the screen by faking in the opposite direction, causing the defender to lean the wrong way. When the offensive player then moves in the opposite direction, the defender will be left in the dust.
To set a good screen, the middle of the screener's chest should be in line with the defender's shoulder and hips. The screener must also square up to the defender and be patient, waiting for the screen to arrive. If the offensive player moves too soon, the defender will be able to get around the screen.
The screener must also be strong and get their feet wide, planting them solidly. Once the screener has established their position, they should not move their feet or lean into the defender, or they will be called for an illegal screen.
Setting a screen close to the defender is a great way to create separation between the defender and their teammate. This makes it difficult for the defender to provide help on the dribbler or cutter. However, this tactic may not work against good shooters, who can make you pay for going under the screen.
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After the screen, roll or slip to the basket, pop to the perimeter, or get into your next position
Once you've set a screen, you have several options for your next move. Firstly, you can roll or slip to the basket for a possible layup. This is a good option if you want to attempt a high-percentage shot close to the rim.
Alternatively, you can pop to the perimeter for a possible jump shot. This is a good option if you want to create some space between yourself and the defender and attempt a shot from long range.
Another option is to get into your next position or action to continue the offensive set. This could involve setting another screen, cutting to the basket, or looking for a pass from a teammate.
The best option will depend on the defensive strategy and the positioning of your teammates. It's important to read the defender's reactions and make quick, decisive movements to create scoring opportunities for yourself or your teammates.
Additionally, the type of screen you set can also influence your next move. For example, in a down screen, you typically set a pick facing the basket or baseline, allowing a teammate to run off the screen for an open shot. In this case, you might want to roll to the basket or get into position for a rebound after your teammate takes the shot.
In a flare or back screen, you set a pick facing away from the basket, allowing your teammate to run off the screen toward the basket for a layup or to the perimeter for a jump shot. Here, popping to the perimeter or rolling to the basket for a possible pass from your teammate are good options.
The pick and roll is another common play where the screener rolls to the basket after setting the screen, while the ball-handler attacks the rim or looks for a pass. This play is most effective when executed quickly, catching the defence off-guard.
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Frequently asked questions
A basketball screen is a way to block a defensive player. It occurs when an offensive player attempts to block a defensive player from the man they are guarding, freeing up the offensive player for a pass or shot.
There are several ways to avoid a basketball screen as a defender. You can get in the screener's path and be physical, stay low and push the ball handler out without help, or cheat under the screen and meet the offensive player on the other side.
Some common types of basketball screens include the flat screen, flex screen, ball screen, back screen, away screen, cross screen, double screen, and down screen.
