Ayrton Oneill
The pick and roll, or screen and roll, is an offensive play in basketball that can be used to create an open shot or cause a mismatch. It involves two offensive players and is often employed by a shorter guard handling the ball and a taller forward or center setting the screen. To set up a pick and roll, the ball handler must first communicate with the other offensive player to set a pick for them. The player setting the pick must be stationary and square to the defender, with their knees bent and feet wider than shoulder width. The ball handler can then direct the picker to which side of the defender they want them to go. The picker should position their body in an athletic stance to absorb the contact of the defender trying to get around. The ball handler should then dribble past the defender, creating an open lane to drive the ball.
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What You'll Learn
Be stationary and communicate with your teammate
To set up a pick in basketball, you must be stationary and communicate with your teammate. Being stationary is crucial to avoid an offensive foul. As the screener, you should stand still and let the offensive player run off your pick. Make sure to pick a spot and remain stationary before the offensive player comes off the pick. Your body should be vertical, neither leaning forward nor backward, with your chest in line with the defender's shoulders and hips. This positioning helps create a legal screen, as any movement during the pick can result in a foul.
Communication is essential when setting up a pick. The ball handler must communicate with the teammate setting the pick, either verbally or through non-verbal hand signals like raising a fist in the air. This communication ensures that both players are synchronized and aware of the upcoming pick.
Additionally, the ball handler can direct the player setting the pick to choose a side of the defender to maximize the effectiveness of the pick. This instruction is crucial in creating advantageous situations, such as forcing the defender to switch onto the picker, which can lead to favorable mismatches.
By being stationary and effectively communicating with your teammate, you can create legal and successful picks that enhance your offensive capabilities and increase your chances of scoring.
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Protect yourself and pivot to the ball
Setting a good pick in basketball is a difficult skill to master, but it can create an open shot or make the defence switch, which can cause a mismatch for either the ball handler or the picker. When setting a pick, it is important to keep your pivot foot with the floor and to protect the ball.
To protect yourself and pivot to the ball, there are a few key things to remember. Firstly, make sure to get low and get your shoulders at the same height as the player who is setting the pick. This will prevent the defender from knocking you off your path and will help you maintain your balance. Keep your arms within your shoulders and do not extend them towards the defensive player, as this is against the rules.
The pivot foot should be locked in place and not dragged, picked up, or changed, or it will be called a travelling violation. You can pivot the ball at different heights, such as below your knees, by your stomach, or overhead, depending on the position of the defender. For example, if the defender is putting pressure on you from a high position, rip the ball through below your knees. If they have their hand low, as if looking to pick off the ball, use a mid-pivot and rip the ball through at stomach height.
Communication is key when setting a pick. Make sure to let the offensive player know the pick is coming by raising your hand and calling out their name. Once the offensive player comes off your pick, turn towards the ball and find an open space on the floor.
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Keep your dribble alive
Keeping your dribble alive is a crucial skill in basketball, and one that requires plenty of practice. It is important to be patient and keep the dribble alive during a pick and roll. Once a player is coming to set a pick, the ball handler should wait for the picker to get set before exploding past the pick.
One way to keep your dribble alive until you have a pass is to use a back dribble. This does not mean turning your back on your defender, but instead, dribbling backward and following these fundamentals: keep your eyes on the basket, use an "arm-bar" with your non-dribbling hand to shield the defence, and move backward while dribbling the ball near or behind your back toe. The back dribble is one of the most important types of dribble in basketball because it helps you avoid trouble and get out of tight situations.
You should need no more than one to three dribbles to get from the wing to the rim. When driving the basketball, your objective should be to get all the way to the basket to score or get fouled. You should always have your eyes on the rim and see the entire floor, allowing you to spot where defenders are coming from and which teammates are open.
When you are near defenders, it is better to bounce the ball at your side while assuming a low, defensive stance. This makes it harder for the defender to reach the ball. You can also dribble between your legs, using a "V" bounce pattern, with your feet hip-width apart and one foot slightly in front. This technique takes practice, but it helps to protect the ball.
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Be patient and force a switch
Setting a good pick is a difficult skill to master, but it can be invaluable for creating an open shot or causing a mismatch for either the ball handler or picker. When it comes to attacking a switch, there are a few key concepts to keep in mind.
First and foremost, be patient. The ball handler should wait for the picker to get set before making their move. Timing is crucial in creating an effective pick and roll. As soon as the pick is set, the ball handler should then attack the basket aggressively, forcing the help defender to switch onto them. This is an important tactic to create space and open up scoring opportunities.
To execute this effectively, the ball handler should position themselves in a way that forces the defender to switch. As the player approaches the person setting the pick, they should adopt an athletic stance with their knees bent, ready to absorb the contact of the defender trying to get around. This allows the ball handler to dribble past the defender, while the picker creates an open lane for them to drive through.
It's also worth noting that the picker has a crucial role in this strategy. Once the ball handler has dribbled past, the picker should turn their outside shoulder towards the side the ball handler went. They should then continue driving to the basket, keeping the defender that switched onto them on the outside.
By mastering this technique, teams can take advantage of defensive mismatches and create high-quality scoring opportunities. However, it's important to recognize that defenses are also evolving to counter these strategies, so adaptability is key.
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Maintain contact with the defender
Maintaining contact with the defender is a crucial aspect of setting a successful pick in basketball. Here are some detailed instructions to achieve this:
Be stationary and square to the defender: It is important to remain stationary while setting the pick to avoid an offensive foul. Position your body squarely towards the defender, with your chest in line with their shoulder and hips. This prevents giving the defender an escape route.
Use your body position to your advantage: Bend your knees and position your feet wider than shoulder width. Keep your arms within your shoulders, and do not extend them towards the defender. You can place your hands on your body to protect yourself, but ensure they don't make contact with the defender. This balanced athletic stance helps you maintain solid contact when the defender tries to get around you.
Communicate with your teammate: Effective communication is key. Use verbal or non-verbal signals, such as raising your hand or a fist in the air, to let your teammate know the pick is coming. This coordination ensures you both initiate the pick at the right moment.
Initiate contact smoothly: As you approach the defender, make smooth and subtle contact. Avoid initiating with a push or excessive force, as this may be considered a foul. A smooth approach can include a post-up move or a slight nudge, creating separation from the defender without impeding their movement.
Maintain contact as long as possible: Once you've established contact, aim to prolong it for as long as you can. This helps in keeping the defender outside the play, creating space for your teammate to drive to the basket. A quick and physical roll can serve as a "moving screen," effectively blocking the defender's path.
Remember, the goal is to legally obstruct the defender's path, creating opportunities for your teammates to score or receive passes. Practice and familiarity with the rules will help you master the art of setting effective picks in basketball.
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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 pass.
The player setting the pick must be stationary with their feet set and arms within their shoulders. The player should also be square to the defender, with their chest in line with the defender's shoulder and hips.
The ball handler should wait for the picker to get set before exploding past the pick and attacking the basket. They should also communicate with the picker to indicate which side of the defender they want them to go to.
The picker should turn their outside shoulder towards the side the ball handler went and then roll to the basket, keeping the defender on the outside.
Some variations include the pick and pop, where the picker moves for an open jump shot, and the pick and slip, where the picker fakes setting a screen before slipping behind the defender to accept the pass.
