Amanda Knapp
In basketball, a pick, also known as a screen, is a strategic move employed by the offense to create scoring opportunities. It involves an offensive player legally blocking the path of a defender to either open up a shot opportunity for themselves or enable another offensive player to receive a pass or take a shot. This technique is invaluable for creating space and causing defensive players to lose their balance, providing an advantage to the offense. The pick-and-roll, or screen-and-roll, is a common variation where a teammate positions themselves in front of the defender guarding the player with the basketball. This allows the player with the ball to move towards the pick, preventing the defender from following. The pick-setter then moves towards the basket, giving the ball handler the option to pass or shoot.
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What You'll Learn
The pick-and-roll
If the defender tries to guard the ballhandler, the screener can move toward the basket (as the player defending the screener may try to trap or guard the ballhandler, giving the screener space). A successful pick-and-roll play may result in the screener being in position to receive a pass with a clear path for an easy shot, with the chance of drawing a foul as other defenders move toward the play to try to prevent a basket.
Alternatively, if the defender chooses to guard the screening teammate, the ballhandler has an open shot or may pass the ball to an open teammate. The success of the strategy depends on the ballhandler, who must recognize the situation quickly and decide whether to take the shot, pass to the screener, or pass to another open teammate.
Variations of the pick-and-roll include the pick-and-pop (or pick-and-fade), where the screener moves for an open jump shot instead of rolling to the basket, and the pick-and-slip, where the screener fakes setting a screen before slipping behind the defender to accept the pass. The pick-and-roll can also be executed in different positions, such as the corner pick-and-roll, the flat pick-and-roll, or the A-set pick-and-roll.
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How to set a pick
Setting a good pick in basketball is a difficult skill to master, but it can be invaluable for creating space for open shots for both yourself and your teammates.
To set a pick, you must first be stationary, with your hips down and knees bent, in an athletic position. Your back should be pointing in the direction you want the player using the pick to go. You should also communicate the pick to the offensive player, perhaps by raising your hand and calling out their name.
As the offensive player approaches, position your body so that the defender must switch onto you. You can do this by setting your feet and keeping your arms within your shoulders. Do not extend your arms towards the defensive player, but place your hands in a position to protect yourself.
Once the pick is set, the offensive player should attack the basket, forcing the defender to switch onto them. The player who set the pick can then roll to the basket, turning their outside shoulder towards the side the offensive player went, keeping the defender on the outside.
There are many different types of picks, such as the down pick, cross pick, ball pick, flare pick, and stagger pick, each with its own nuances.
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Types of picks
Picks, also referred to as screens, are an invaluable tool in basketball that can give the offense many opportunities to score. There are many types of picks, including the down pick, cross pick, ball pick, flare pick, New York pick, slash pick, flex pick, and stagger pick.
The most common type of pick is the on-ball screen, also known as a pick or ball screen. This is a basketball screen set on a defender that 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.
The pick and roll is another common offensive tactic. It involves a player setting a screen (pick) for a teammate handling the ball, then moving toward the basket (rolling) to receive a pass. The pick and roll is often employed by a shorter guard handling the ball and a taller forward or center setting the screen.
The pick and pop is a variation of the pick and roll, where the screener moves for an open jump shot instead of rolling to the basket. The screener "pops" to a specified spot on the perimeter, typically near where the ball handler started.
The hammer screen is derived from the hammer set play and occurs on the weak side, potentially creating an open three-point shot for the team's best shooter.
The ram screen is a special type of basketball screen where a player on offense receives an off-ball screen from a teammate before setting an on-ball screen for another teammate.
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Using a pick to create space
Picks, also known as screens, are an invaluable tool in basketball that can give the offense many opportunities to score. They are often used to create space for open shots for the player with the ball or their teammates.
To use a pick to create space, the player with the ball must work with a teammate to set a pick or screen. This involves the teammate legally blocking the path of a defender to open up the player with the ball for a shot or to receive a pass. The player with the ball must read the defenders and dribble off the screen, looking to attack and create a shot.
There are several types of picks that can be used to create space, such as the down pick, cross pick, ball pick, flare pick, and many others. For example, in a ball pick, the player can "roll" or "slip" to the basket or "pop" to an open area in the high post or perimeter.
To effectively use a pick to create space, the player setting the pick should have their hips down, knees bent, and feet spread to create a wide base that is difficult for the defender to get around. They should also be stationary before the offensive player comes off the pick, as moving during this time is an illegal screen and will result in an offensive foul.
Additionally, the player with the ball should fake in the opposite direction before coming off the pick to set up the defender and run them into the pick. This will help create space and open up opportunities for scoring.
Mastering the use of picks to create space is an important skill in basketball, and players can study film on great players like Kevin Durant, Reggie Miller, and Steve Nash to improve their understanding and execution of this technique.
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Pick and roll: Offense and defense
Pick and roll is an invaluable offensive play in basketball that can create many advantages for the offensive team. It involves three players and is designed to create a scoring opportunity.
The play begins with a defender guarding a ball-handler. The ball-handler moves toward a teammate, who sets a screen (pick) by standing in the defender's way, blocking their path. The defender is then forced to choose between guarding the ball-handler or the screener. If the defender tries to guard the ball-handler, the screener can move toward the basket (roll) to receive a pass.
To execute an effective pick and roll, the screener 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, leaving them open for a shot or able to attack a defender who is still closing out to the basketball.
There are several variations of the pick and roll, including the elbow pick and roll, single drag pick and roll, double drag pick and roll, step up pick and roll, and the Spain pick and roll. The elbow pick and roll is a ball-screen set on a player with the basketball while they're on the high post (elbow). This is usually performed by two post players with the other three offensive players outside the perimeter to create space inside. A single drag pick and roll is a ball-screen set in transition, often resulting in a clear drive to the rim for the dribbler as the defender is caught out of position. In a double drag pick and roll, two offensive players set ball screens in transition, with the first screen rolling to the rim and the second popping out to the perimeter. A step-up pick and roll is a ball-screen set on the wing that directs the ball-handler toward the baseline, catching the defense off-guard. The Spain pick and roll involves a third offensive player setting another screen on the defender of the player rolling to the rim, creating communication problems for the defense.
Defenders can employ various strategies to counter the pick and roll, such as "Ice", "Weak", "Switch", "Trap", and "Over". Ice is used against side P&R actions, with the on-ball defender closing the direction of the opponent and pushing them toward the sideline. Weak has a similar logic but is used against High P&R actions, aiming to direct the ball-handler toward their weak hand. Switch involves defenders swapping assignments, while Hedge involves the screener's defender impeding the ball-handler. Over aims to prevent the opponent from getting space and shooting opportunities.
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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. This is an invaluable tool for the offense, creating many opportunities to score.
To set a pick, you want to be in a solid athletic position with your hips down and knees bent so that the defender can't nudge past you or knock you off balance. Your back should be pointing in the direction you want the player using the pick to go. You must be stationary before the offensive player comes off your pick, or it is an illegal screen and a foul will be called.
A pick-and-roll is when a teammate puts their body in front of the defender who is guarding the player with the basketball. Once the pick is set, the player with the ball moves towards it, preventing the defender from following. The pick-setter then rolls or moves towards the basket, giving the ball handler the option to pass or take a shot.
