
In basketball, a screen is a strategy used by an offensive player to block a defender and create space for a teammate to shoot, pass, or drive the ball to score. A moving screen is a colloquial term for when the screener makes prohibited contact with a defender by moving their body while the defender tries to avoid the screen. This is typically an illegal screen, and the screener is charged with an offensive foul, in addition to losing possession of the ball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Moving screen | A colloquial term for when a screener makes prohibited contact with a defender by moving their body while the defender tries to avoid the screen |
| Illegal screen | When an offensive player makes prohibited contact while setting a screen and/or does not allow the defender enough time or distance to avoid the screen |
| Result of an illegal screen | An offensive foul charged to the screener and loss of basketball possession to the opposing team |
| Legal screening position | Feet shoulder-width apart, back straight, and knees slightly bent |
| Cylinder | An imaginary vertical plane that surrounds the occupied space of the screener or any other active player |
| Preventing a moving screen | Players must practice various in-game situations; coaches must teach the correct way to set a screen and what a moving screen looks like |
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What You'll Learn

A moving screen is an illegal screen
A moving screen, also known as an illegal screen, is a term used in basketball when a player from the offence makes prohibited contact with a defender while setting a screen. This occurs when the player does not remain within their 'cylinder' or vertical plane, by using parts of their body to make contact with a defender. The cylinder is an imaginary area surrounding the player, from the floor to as high as they can jump or extend their arms.
A moving screen can also occur when the offensive player does not allow the defender enough time or distance to avoid the screen. This can be caused by poor balance, poor timing, or poor defence. The defender must be given enough space to react and adjust their position. If the defender is not given this opportunity, it is considered an illegal screen.
To avoid committing a moving screen, players should practice different game scenarios and be taught the correct way to set a screen. A good screen has a solid base, with the player's feet set about shoulder-width apart, back straight, and knees slightly bent. The player setting the screen must remain stationary and within their cylinder.
When a moving screen is called, the penalty is an offensive foul charged to the screener, as well as a loss of ball possession to the opposing team. Referees may review replays to confirm the call and ensure that no one is gaining an unfair advantage.
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Offensive foul is charged to the screener
A moving screen in basketball is a colloquial term used when a screener makes prohibited contact with a defender. This occurs when the screener moves their feet or uses other body parts while the defender is attempting to avoid the screen by going over or under it. This is considered an illegal screen, and the penalty is an offensive foul charged to the screener.
To understand when an offensive foul is charged to the screener, it is important to know what a screen is in basketball. A screen is a blocking move by an offensive player, where they position themselves beside or behind a defender to free up a teammate to shoot, pass, or drive the ball and score. The two offensive players involved in setting the screen are the 'screener' and the 'cutter'. The screener blocks the defender, while the cutter moves away from the defender.
For a screen to be legal, the screener must maintain a specific position and give the defender sufficient time and distance to avoid the screen. The screener must stay within their cylinder or vertical plane, which is an imaginary area surrounding the player, from the floor to as high as they can jump or extend their arms. The screener's feet should be approximately shoulder-width apart, with their back straight and knees slightly bent.
If the screener makes prohibited contact with the defender, it is considered an illegal screen. This includes extending body parts such as elbows, forearms, legs, feet, or hips to obstruct the defender's movement. Additionally, the screener must give the defender enough time and distance to avoid the screen, especially if the defender is initially outside of their field of vision. If the screener fails to meet these requirements, an offensive foul is charged, resulting in a turnover and the loss of basketball possession to the opposing team.
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Loss of basketball possession
A moving screen in basketball is an illegal move where a player makes prohibited contact with a defender while setting a screen. When this happens, it is called a foul, and the offending team loses possession of the basketball.
A screen is a blocking move by an offensive player who stands beside or behind a defender, creating space for a teammate to shoot, pass, or drive the ball to score. A moving screen occurs when the player moves as contact is made, denying the defender a fair chance to adjust. This usually happens when the offensive player has poor balance, poor timing, or poor defense. To avoid committing a moving screen, players must practice different game situations and learn the correct way to set a screen. A good screen has a solid base and is square to the defender receiving the screen.
A moving screen is also called an offensive foul, and it results in a loss of basketball possession for the offending team. This is because the screener must stay within their own cylinder, an imaginary area surrounding the player on the floor up to as high as they can jump or extend their arms. If the screener moves outside this cylinder and makes contact with the defender, it is considered a moving screen and a foul.
To prevent committing a moving screen, the screener should have their feet set about shoulder-width apart while remaining stationary. They should also give the defender enough time and distance to avoid the screen, especially if the defender is initially outside their field of vision. By following these guidelines, players can avoid committing moving screens and losing possession of the basketball.
In summary, a moving screen in basketball is an illegal move that results in a foul and a loss of basketball possession for the offending team. To avoid this, players should practice proper technique and give defenders enough time and space to adjust.
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The screener must stay within their own cylinder
A moving screen is an illegal move in basketball, which results in an offensive foul and the loss of possession of the ball. A moving screen occurs when the screener makes prohibited contact with a defender by moving their feet or other body parts while the defender tries to avoid the screen by going over or under it.
To avoid a moving screen foul, the screener must give the defender enough time and distance to avoid the screen. This means that the screener must not initiate contact with the defender by extending their elbows, forearms, legs, feet, or hips. The screener should also be aware of their positioning and timing to ensure they are not chasing the defender's location as the screen is being set.
It is important to note that the cylinder rule does not restrict the screener from moving their feet to re-establish a screen if necessary. However, they must still allow the defender adequate time and distance before making contact with the screen.
By adhering to the cylinder rule and giving the defender sufficient time and space, the screener can effectively set a legal screen without committing a moving screen foul.
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The defender must be given enough time/distance to avoid the screen
A moving screen in basketball is a colloquial term used to describe an illegal screening action. A screen is a blocking move by an offensive player to obstruct a defender and create space for a teammate to gain an advantage. While screens are an important tactic in basketball, they must be executed within certain rules to avoid committing a foul.
For a screen to be legal, the offensive player (the screener) must give the defender enough time and distance to avoid the screen. This means that the screener cannot initiate contact with the defender or obstruct their movement. The screener must remain within their own cylinder, an imaginary vertical plane approximately shoulder-width, and avoid extending their elbows, forearms, legs, feet, or hips towards the defender.
If a screener makes prohibited contact with a defender, it is considered an illegal screen and results in an offensive foul. The penalty for an illegal screen includes a foul charged to the screener and a loss of ball possession to the opposing team. To avoid committing an illegal screen, the screener must provide the defender with sufficient time and space to navigate the screen, either by going over or under it.
The legality of a screen is determined by referees, who may review replays and block/charge situations to assess positioning and timing. Referees aim to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage rather than eliminating all contact. By following these guidelines, players can effectively utilize screens as a strategic move while adhering to the rules of the game.
To summarize, a moving screen in basketball is a foul when the offensive player initiating the screen does not allow the defender adequate time and distance to navigate the screen. This results in an offensive foul and penalties for the offending team. Proper execution of screens is crucial to ensuring fair play and maintaining the flow of the game.
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Frequently asked questions
A moving screen is a colloquial term used when a player makes prohibited contact with a defender by moving their body while the defender tries to avoid the screen.
Yes, a moving screen is considered an illegal screen and is a foul.
An illegal screen occurs when an offensive player makes prohibited contact while setting a screen or does not allow the defender enough time or distance to avoid the screen.
When a player is called for an illegal screen, the penalty is an offensive foul, and the opposing team gains possession of the ball.
Poor balance, poor timing, and poor defense can all lead to a player committing a moving screen.











































