Kristian Ferrell
The pick and roll, also known as the screen and roll, is a popular offensive play in basketball that is used at all levels of the game. It is a highly versatile play that relies on deception and precise timing to create scoring opportunities for the offence by disrupting the defence. The play is initiated when the ball handler communicates with another offensive player to set a pick for them. The pick and roll has evolved over the years, with teams constantly finding new ways to use it to create advantages on the court.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of play | Offensive |
| Number of players | 2 |
| Players' positions | One ball handler (guard) and one screener (center or forward) |
| Purpose | To create an open shot or make the defense switch, creating a mismatch |
| Variations | Corner pick and roll, elbow pick and roll, single drag pick and roll, pick and pop, straight-line attack, attack the hedge |
| Screener's role | Set a pick, create separation from the defender, roll to the basket, position their body in an athletic stance |
| Ball handler's role | Communicate with the screener, dribble off the screen, read the defense, make the correct decision (attack the rim, pass to the roll player, dribble and kick the ball out) |
| Defensive strategy | Have like-sized players with good arm length, prevent a height or speed advantage for the ball handler, switch on pick and roll possessions |
| Practice | Incorporate film into practices to visualize plays, run drills with two offensive and two defensive players |
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What You'll Learn
Setting a good pick
- Be stationary: Before the offensive player comes off your pick, make sure you're stationary. If you're moving as you set the pick, it's an illegal screen, and an offensive foul will be called.
- Protect yourself: Place your hands in a position to protect yourself, but don't extend your arms toward the defensive player. Guys should have their arms extended down over the groin with one hand placed over the other. Girls should place their arms in an "X" shape, with hands on the opposite collarbone to protect the chest.
- Communicate the pick: Let the offensive player know the pick is coming. You can do this by raising your hand and calling out their name.
- Set your feet: Your feet should be wider than shoulder width, and they must not be moving while setting a pick, or it will be a turnover.
- Arms within shoulders: Keep your arms within your shoulders. You cannot prevent the defender from moving with outstretched arms.
- Pin the defender: Position yourself so that the ball handler's defender must switch onto you.
- Bend your knees: As the player approaches, position your body in an athletic stance with your knees bent so you can absorb the contact of the defender trying to get around.
- Create separation: Before setting the pick, create as much separation as possible between yourself and your defender. This will decrease your defender's ability to provide help to their teammate.
- Disguise the pick: Try to disguise setting the pick for as long as possible. If you step out too early, the defender can adjust and avoid it.
- Make contact: Make sure to make contact with the defender you're trying to block. If you don't, they can simply slide around you.
Remember, the pick and roll is a simple offensive play, but it requires good timing and coordination between the ball handler and the picker.
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Understanding defensive positioning
Defensive positioning is a critical aspect of countering the pick and roll. Here is an in-depth understanding of defensive positioning in the context of the pick and roll:
The pick and roll, also known as the screen and roll, is an offensive play that can be highly effective at all levels of basketball. It involves two offensive players and is designed to create open shots or force the defence to switch, creating potential mismatches. To counter this, defenders must understand the various defensive strategies and adapt based on their personnel.
One key strategy is to have like-sized players with good arm length on defence. This helps to minimise any height or speed advantage for the offence. For example, if a smaller, quicker player is guarding the ball handler, they can more easily navigate the screen and stay with the ball handler. Additionally, defenders should be aware of their positioning relative to the screener and ball handler. The defender guarding the screener has two primary options: they can either go ""under the pick" by going around the screener, or "over the pick" by following the ball handler closely. Going under the pick can give the ball handler space to shoot, while going over the pick can lead to the defender getting caught in the screen, allowing the ball handler to drive to the basket.
Another defensive tactic is called "ice". This involves the defender anticipating the screen and moving under it early, preventing the ball handler from driving across and limiting their options. This strategy is particularly effective on the wings to stop the ball handler from reaching the centre. Teams can also employ a "switch", where the screener's defender guards the ball handler, and the ball handler's defender switches to the screener. This can create a mismatch, with a typically slower player guarding the ball handler, who may exploit their speed advantage.
To counter the pick and roll effectively, defenders must also be patient and disciplined. They should avoid reaching or lunging for the ball handler, as this can create openings for the offence. Instead, they should focus on maintaining their defensive position and reacting to the actions of the offence.
Practising various defensive scenarios and studying film of the opposing team can help defenders improve their positioning and decision-making. Ultimately, the pick and roll is a versatile play that can be challenging to defend, but with good positioning, awareness, and strategy, defenders can limit its effectiveness and create opportunities for their team to succeed.
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Creating separation
Firstly, the screener should aim to create maximum separation from their defender before setting the on-ball screen. This separation decreases the ability of the screener's defender to provide support on the dribbler, leaving the dribbler open for a shot or with an advantage over a defender who is still closing in. It's important to vary the plays and screens to avoid predictability.
The screener must master the skill of setting a good pick. This involves keeping their feet stationary to avoid a turnover, maintaining their arms within the width of their shoulders, and positioning their body athletically to absorb the contact of the defender. This enables the ball handler to dribble past the defender, creating an open lane.
The ball handler must also execute specific techniques. They should wait for the screen, avoiding the mistake of leaving too early, which can result in an offensive foul. Faking in the opposite direction can set up the defender to be run into the screen. Getting low and balanced enables the ball handler to explode past the defender and prevents the defender from knocking them off balance easily.
The angle and timing of the screen are also critical factors in creating separation. The screener's angle should guide the ball handler towards the desired shooting area, and the timing of the screen can impact the overall effectiveness of the play.
Additionally, the ball handler must be aware of their teammates' abilities to make the right decision, such as passing to a strong shooter over a player who struggles from long range.
By focusing on these tactics, players can enhance their ability to create separation during the pick and roll, increasing their chances of gaining a scoring opportunity.
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Finishing at the rim
Setting Up the Play:
First, the ball handler must communicate with one other offensive player to set up the screen. This can be done with a verbal signal or a non-verbal hand signal, such as raising a fist. The screener should then sprint to the area where they plan to set the screen, creating as much separation as possible from their defender before setting it. This separation will make it more difficult for the defender to recover and help guard the ball handler.
Executing the Play:
Once the screener is in position, the ball handler should dribble off the screen, staying as close to it as possible. The angle of the screener is crucial, as it sets up the subsequent actions. The screener should have their back towards the area where they want the ball handler to get the shot. After setting the screen, the screener must cut to the rim, looking to receive a pass from the ball handler. The ball handler must be patient and wait for the screener to become stationary before attacking. This is crucial to avoid illegal screens and offensive fouls.
The ball handler has several options for finishing the play:
- Attack the rim: If the defender is trailing the play, the ball handler can drive to the basket and finish with a layup or dunk.
- Pass to the roll player: The ball handler can pass to the screener (now the roll player) cutting to the rim. The roll player should be athletic and able to finish at the basket.
- Kick out to shooters: If the defense collapses towards the ball handler or roll player, they can pass to open shooters on the perimeter or players cutting to the rim.
- Splitting the hedge: If the defender of the screener tries to stop the ball handler, the ball handler can make a tight crossover move to split the defender and the screener, creating a path to the basket.
Additional Tips:
- Get low and balanced: This enables you to explode past defenders and prevents them from knocking you off balance easily.
- Be aware of defensive positioning: Understand where the on-ball defender and the screener's defender are positioned to make precise decisions.
- Timing is critical: The ball handler must time their actions and passes correctly to disrupt the defense and create scoring opportunities.
- Practice: The pick and roll is a skill that requires repetition and practice to master. Incorporate film study to visualize how the play is executed at different levels of basketball.
By following these instructions and tips, you can effectively finish at the rim and create high-percentage scoring chances for your team during a pick and roll play.
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Off-ball movements
Off-ball movement is a crucial aspect of the pick and roll, as it creates opportunities for players to get open and generate scoring chances. Here are some detailed instructions for effective off-ball movements during the pick and roll:
Player positioning: During the pick and roll, the remaining three players on the court should position themselves strategically. One player should be on the wing, another in the corner, and the third in the weak-side low post. This positioning helps to create space and provide options for the ball handler.
Communication: Effective communication between the ball handler and the screener is vital. They should use verbal or non-verbal signals, such as a fist in the air, to indicate the initiation of the pick and roll. This ensures that they work in sync and creates unpredictability for the defence.
Timing and spacing: The timing and spacing of the pick and roll are critical. The screener should create separation from their defender before setting the on-ball screen. This prevents the defender from providing help on the dribbler. Additionally, when coming off a ball screen, the handler should dribble off the screen as close as possible to maintain proximity to the screener.
Variations: To keep the defence guessing, it's important to vary the types of pick and roll plays. For example, in the "elbow pick and roll," the ball-screen is set for a player with the basketball while they're on the high post (elbow), and the other three offensive players are outside the perimeter to create space inside. Another variation is the "single drag pick and roll," which is a ball-screen set in transition.
Reading the defence: The ball handler must be able to read the defence and make the right decision. They should assess whether to attack the rim, pass to the roll player, dribble and kick out to shooters, or utilise other options. Knowing the capabilities of their teammates is essential for making these decisions effectively.
Practise: Regular practice of the pick and roll is crucial for players to master their timing, movement, and decision-making. Drills that simulate different defensive scenarios will help players become more comfortable and effective in game situations.
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Frequently asked questions
The pick and roll, also known as a screen and roll, is an offensive play that is used at all levels of basketball. It is one of the oldest and most popular plays in the history of the sport. It involves two offensive players and is designed to create an open shot or make the defence switch, which can cause a mismatch for either the ball handler or picker.
The ball handler must first communicate with the other offensive player to set a pick for them. This can be done through a verbal cue or a non-verbal hand signal. Once the pick has been set, the ball handler should dribble off the screen as close as possible. The picker should then roll in the same direction as the drive, maintaining contact with the defender for as long as possible.
It is important to create separation between the screener and their defender before setting the on-ball screen. This will decrease the defender's ability to provide help on the dribbler. The picker should also try to keep the defender on the outside and drive to the basket. The ball handler must be patient and keep the dribble alive, waiting for the screen before making a decision to attack the rim, pass to the roll player, or kick the ball out to an outside shooter.
Some common variations include the corner pick and roll, where a ball-screen is set on a player with the basketball in the corner of the court, and the elbow pick and roll, where a ball-screen is set on a player with the basketball while they are on the high post. Another variation is the "pick and pop", where the screener "pops" out to take a jump shot instead of "rolling" to the basket.
It is important to practice the pick and roll regularly through drills and repetitions to master the skills involved. Coaches can also incorporate film into practices to help players visualise the play and see how it is used by professionals.
