Ayrton Oneill
Setting a pick in basketball is an invaluable tool for creating space for open shots and is one of the most popular plays in the game. It is a simple offensive play that involves two players and is designed to create an open shot or make the defence switch, which can cause a mismatch. To set a pick, the player must be stationary with their feet set and knees bent, and their arms within their shoulders. The player setting the pick must also communicate with the ball handler to let them know the pick is coming. The ball handler should then wait for the picker to get set before exploding past the pick and attacking the basket.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Body position | Knees bent, feet stationary and wider than shoulder width, with hands and elbows inside the body. |
| Communication | Non-verbal hand signals or verbal communication between the ball handler and the picker. |
| Picker's role | Block the path of the defender, create an open lane for the ball handler, and maintain contact with the defender. |
| Ball handler's role | Dribble past the defender, drive to the basket, and create an aggressive mentality. |
| Variations | Down pick, cross pick, ball pick, flare pick, New York pick, slash pick, flex pick, stagger pick, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Be stationary
Setting a pick, or screen, in basketball is an invaluable tool that can give the offence many opportunities to score. It is a blocking move by an offensive player to free up a teammate to shoot, pass, or drive the ball to score. When setting a pick, it is important to be stationary before the offensive player comes off the pick. If you are moving as you set the pick, it is an illegal screen and an offensive foul will be called.
To be stationary, you must set your feet. Your feet cannot be moving while setting a pick, or it will be a turnover. Your body should be vertical and square to the defender. The middle of your chest should be in line with the defender's shoulder and hips. Your knees should be bent so that it is difficult for the defender to nudge by you or knock you off balance. Your hips should be down, and your arms should be within your shoulders. Do not lean into the defender, and do not extend your arms towards them.
It is important to be patient when setting a pick. The number one cause of illegal screens is that the dribbler is impatient and attacks too early. Make sure to communicate the pick to the offensive player by raising your hand and calling out their name.
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Protect yourself
Protecting yourself is an important aspect of setting a pick in basketball. Here are some key instructions to follow:
Sprint to your designated spot to ensure you make contact with the defender. Setting a pick involves using your body to block or separate a defender from the person they are guarding, so getting into position is crucial.
Set your feet with a wide and grounded stance. Your feet should be slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, with a slight bend at the knees. This stance provides stability and helps prevent a foul for setting an illegal screen. Keep your feet firmly planted on the ground while setting the pick. Moving your feet while setting the pick will result in a turnover.
Protect your torso and midsection with your arms. Use your arms to cover and protect yourself as you make contact with the defender. Keep your arms within your shoulders and avoid extending them towards the defensive player.
Communicate with your teammates. Let the offensive player know the pick is coming by using a hand signal or calling out to them. This ensures they can take advantage of the screen effectively.
By following these instructions, you can effectively protect yourself while setting a pick in basketball. It's important to remember that setting a good pick requires sacrificing your body to help your team, so be prepared for contact and adjust your positioning accordingly.
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Communicate the pick
Communication is key when setting a pick in basketball. The ball handler must communicate with the offensive player to set a pick for them. This communication can be verbal or non-verbal, such as raising a hand or giving a hand signal like a fist in the air. It's also important to let the offensive player know the pick is coming. This can be done by raising your hand and calling out the player's name.
The picker should create as much separation as possible between themselves and their defender before setting the on-ball screen. This decreases the defender's ability to provide help on the dribbler. If the picker steps out too early, the defender can adjust and avoid the screen.
The picker should also be aware of the defender's position. If the defender is in the way, the picker can call "pick", which stops the play and holds all other players in their current positions.
Timing is crucial when setting a pick. The ball handler should wait for the picker to get set before moving past the pick. This requires good communication and quick reactions from both players.
By communicating effectively and paying attention to timing and positioning, players can execute a successful pick that creates space and opportunities to score.
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Get low
To get low, you need to be in an athletic stance with your hips down and knees bent. This will give you a solid base and make it difficult for the defender to nudge past you or knock you off balance.
Getting low is important as it helps you to maintain good balance when you catch and shoot, or catch and drive. It also helps you to absorb the contact of the defender trying to get around you.
When you get low, you should aim to get your inside shoulder lower than, or at the same height as, your teammate's hip. You should be so low that you make contact with their hip as you drive past.
It's also important to spread your feet to create a wide base that is hard for the defender to get around.
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Be patient
Setting a pick in basketball requires a great deal of patience. The ball handler should wait for the picker to get set before moving past the pick. If the dribbler is impatient and attacks too early, it can lead to an illegal screen and an offensive foul.
The dribbler must be patient and wait for the screener to be stationary. This means having their knees bent and feet set wider than shoulder width. The screener should also be in an athletic stance, with their knees bent, to absorb the contact of the defender trying to get around.
The ball handler should also be mindful of the defender's position. If the defender is stationary, the picker must initiate the setup. However, if the defender is moving, the ball handler should take the correct angle and drive their defender into the pick.
In all cases, patience and timing are crucial. The ball handler must wait for the right moment to exploit the opening created by the pick. This involves good communication between the ball handler and the picker, whether through verbal signals or non-verbal hand signals.
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Frequently asked questions
A pick, also known as a screen, is when an offensive player legally blocks the path of a defender to open up another offensive player for a shot or to receive a pass.
To set a pick, you need to be stationary with your feet set wider than shoulder width and your knees bent. You should also communicate with your teammate that you are about to set a pick, either by raising your hand or with a verbal signal.
A pick and roll is an offensive play involving two players. The ball handler dribbles off the screen as close as possible, forcing the defender to switch onto the picker, who then rolls to the basket.
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