Amanda Knapp
Setting a screen or pick in basketball is a fundamental skill that is often overlooked. It involves an offensive player using their body to block or separate a defensive player from the person they are guarding, creating space for a teammate to shoot, attack the basket, or pass the ball. The most common type of screen is the ball screen, also known as a pick, where a player positions themselves in front of a defender. There are several different types of screens, including off-ball screens such as the back screen, cross screen, and down screen, and on-ball screens such as the flat ball screen, side screen, and step-up screen. To set an effective screen, players must have a wide stance with their feet planted firmly on the ground, and their body should be vertical and square to the defender. The angle and timing of the pick are also critical factors in setting a successful screen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Objective | Block or separate a defensive player from the person they are guarding |
| Player setting the screen | Offensive player |
| Player being screened | Defensive player |
| Screener's body position | Stationary, vertical, square to the defender, feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent |
| Screener's hands | Across chest or lap, elbows within cylinder/vertical plane |
| Screener's feet | Planted, solid |
| Screener's movement | No leaning, no shoulder movement, no holding, no pushing |
| Screener's contact with defender | Should occur, no fouls, no holding, no pushing |
| Angle/direction of the pick | Anticipate teammate's desired direction and block defender |
| Timing | Sprint to the spot, set feet |
| Types of screens | On-ball screen (or pick/ball screen), off-ball screen, flare screen, back screen, down screen, stagger screen, cross screen, flat ball screen, side screen, step-up screen, drag screen, ghost screen, hammer screen, pick and roll |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of collaboration between the screener and ball handler
Setting a screen or pick in basketball involves an offensive player attempting to block or screen a defensive player away from the man they are guarding. This frees up the offensive player for an open shot or pass. The pick and roll is one of the simplest offensive plays, but when done right, it is one of the most challenging plays to defend.
The ball handler and screener must work together to set up the screen effectively. The ball handler must set up their defender before using a ball screen, which will make it easier to read the defense. The screener must be stationary and square to the defender, with their body vertical and their chest in line with the defender's shoulder and hips. The screener must also make contact with the defender without fouling, holding, or pushing them.
The ball handler must be aggressive off the screen and stay close to the screener, giving them the best chance to block their defender. They should keep level with the screener's position to prevent the defender from shooting the gap between them. The ball handler should also be mindful of the angle and timing of the pick, anticipating the direction their offensive teammate wants to go and making contact with the defender so that they cannot get around.
The collaboration between the screener and ball handler is crucial to the success of the play. If executed well, it can create space and confuse the defense, leading to more offensive opportunities. It is important for the ball handler to be able to read the defense and react accordingly, and for the screener to be stationary and in the correct position to effectively block the defender.
Additionally, the screener is often the player who becomes open after setting the screen, so they may also have the opportunity for a pass and shot. Therefore, the collaboration between the screener and ball handler is essential for creating offensive opportunities and setting up successful plays in basketball.
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How to set up the defender
Setting up the defender is a crucial aspect of basketball screens or picks, and here's how it's done:
Firstly, it's important to understand the purpose of setting up a screen. The main goal is to create separation from defenders, allowing teammates to shoot, pass, or drive to the basket without defensive intrusion. The offensive player must wait for the screener to be completely set before making their move. Impatience can lead to an illegal screen, resulting in an offensive foul.
To set up the defender effectively, the offensive player should make a step toward the hoop first and then cut back over the screen. This is known as "setting up the screen." After that, they must cut hard and close to the screener, brushing against them as they go by. This "rub off" technique prevents the defender from slipping through the screen.
The screener, on the other hand, needs to maintain a stationary position with their body square to the defender. Their chest should be in line with the defender's shoulder and hips. Any movement by the screener that causes contact with the defender will result in a foul.
There are various types of screens that can be used to set up the defender, including double screens, cross screens, down screens, and flare screens. For example, in a double screen, two teammates set screens for the same penetrating teammate, creating multiple options and confusing the defense.
Additionally, the offensive player must "explode" off the screen, quickly separating from the defender and creating more time to set up for a shot. This combination of a well-timed screen and an explosive exit maximizes the effectiveness of the play.
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The four main types of screens
To set a screen or pick in basketball, an offensive player attempts to block or screen a defensive player away from the player they are guarding. This frees up the offensive player or their teammate for an open shot or pass. The four main types of screens are:
- On-ball screens: These are basketball screens set on a defender who is directly guarding the ball. Some common types of on-ball screens include the flat ball screen, the side screen, the step-up screen, and the drag screen.
- Off-ball screens: These are screens set by a screener on a defender that is not directly guarding the ball. For example, if a player with the ball is on the right side wing, an off-ball screen would occur on the top, low post, or corner of the court. Common types of off-ball screens include the back screen, cross-screen, down screen, and stagger screen.
- Ball screens: These are broad terms for any basketball screen set for the player who currently possesses the basketball. This is an excellent way to create an offensive advantage.
- Back screens: This involves an off-ball player setting a screen behind a teammate's defender. This often catches the defender off-guard, allowing the offensive player to cut towards the basket to receive a pass and score.
It is important to note that the player receiving the screen must be patient and wait for the screener to set up properly. The screener must be stationary with their body vertical and square to the defender. The offensive player must then blast off the screen to create separation and set up for a shot.
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The angle of the screen
To achieve this, the screener should aim to set the screen at an angle that blocks the defender's path. This involves anticipating the direction of your offensive teammate and positioning yourself directly in the defender's way. Setting it straight on, or too far on their back, will allow the defender to easily slide by with minimal contact. Instead, the screener should aim for an angle that forces the defender to go over the top or makes them have to push into the screener, losing a few steps.
It's also important to set the screen as close as possible to the defender, without fouling, to give them the least amount of space to navigate. This angle of screening is highly effective and will also benefit your ball handlers. The back of the screener should be pointing towards the angle of attack the ball handler wants to take with their first dribbles.
Additionally, the angle of the screen can be adjusted depending on the ball's position. For example, a downscreen involves the screener facing their chest towards the baseline, resulting in the offensive player cutting away from the hoop. A flat screen, on the other hand, involves the screener's back being towards the basket, which can be difficult for the defender to avoid, especially if the ball-handler is moving quickly.
Mastering the angle of the screen is key to setting strong picks and creating scoring opportunities for your team.
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The pick and roll
The play begins with a defender guarding a ballhandler. The ballhandler moves toward a teammate, who sets a screen (or pick) by standing in the way of the defender, who is separated from the moving ballhandler. The defender is forced to choose between guarding the ballhandler or the screener. If the defender tries to guard the ballhandler, the screener can move toward the basket. If the defender instead chooses to guard the screening teammate, the ballhandler has an open shot or can pass to an open teammate.
The final step of the pick and roll is for the dribbler to read the defense and make the correct decision. This could be to attack the rim, pass to the roll player, or dribble and kick the ball out to an outside shooter.
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Frequently asked questions
A screen or pick occurs when an offensive player attempts to block or separate a defensive player from the person they are guarding, thereby freeing up that offensive player for an open shot or pass.
Some common types of screens include the ball screen, down screen, back screen, away screen, off-ball screen, and on-ball screen.
The screener must be stationary with their body vertical and square to the defender. They should position their feet about shoulder-width apart with their back straightened and knees slightly bent. It is important to sprint to the spot and set your feet to avoid a moving screen foul.
Setting a screen helps to create space for teammates to catch or distribute passes, attack the hoop, or shoot a jump shot. It is a fundamental offensive strategy to break down the defense and create scoring opportunities.
Defensive players can try to slide by the pick, fight over the screen (where allowed), or switch defensive assignments to pick up the cutter on the other side of the screen.
