
In basketball, a moving pick, also known as an illegal screen, occurs when an offensive player moves their feet horizontally or laterally while setting a screen. The offensive player must remain stationary at the moment of contact with the defender, allowing them a reasonable opportunity to avoid the screen. Moving screens are considered illegal moves that result in an offensive foul and a change of possession. Screens or picks are instrumental strategies in basketball, creating advantageous scenarios and generating mismatches to enhance scoring opportunities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A moving pick, also known as an illegal screen, is when an offensive player moves their feet horizontally or laterally in the process of setting a screen. |
| Legal alternative | A legal screen is a blocking move by an offensive player in which they stand beside or behind a defender to free a teammate to shoot, pass or drive in to score. |
| Screener's movement | The screener must stay within their own cylinder, an imaginary vertical plane, approximately shoulder-width apart. |
| Illegal movement | The screener cannot move towards a defender, laterally or horizontally, or extend body parts like elbows, forearms, legs, feet, or hips to obstruct the defender's movement. |
| Foul | If a moving pick occurs, it results in an offensive foul and a change of possession. |
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What You'll Learn

Moving picks are a type of illegal screen
Moving picks, also known as moving screens, are a type of illegal screen in basketball. An illegal screen occurs when the offensive player setting the screen fails to follow certain guidelines. The offensive player must remain stationary at the moment of contact with the defender and allow the defender a "reasonable opportunity" to avoid the screen. If the screener moves to make contact and gain an advantage, this is deemed an illegal screen.
A moving screen is when an offensive player moves their feet horizontally or laterally while setting a screen. This can also occur when the offensive player moves towards a defender, either horizontally or laterally, while setting a screen. Moving screens can only occur during offensive possessions by offensive players.
To be legal, the screener must stay within their own cylinder, an imaginary vertical plane, approximately shoulder-width apart. This cylinder includes any area of occupied space surrounding the screener or any other active player, from the floor to as high as they can jump or extend their arms. The screener must not extend any body parts to delay or prevent a defender from reaching their desired destination, which is usually near another offensive player.
In an on-ball screen, the screener should set both feet first about shoulder width apart and remain stationary until the defender clears. In an off-ball screen, the screener should have their feet set shoulder-width apart while remaining stationary. The screener should give the defender enough time and distance to avoid the screen, especially if the screening action is outside the defender's field of vision.
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Illegal screens result in fouls and possession changes
A moving pick, or moving screen, in basketball occurs when an offensive player moves their feet horizontally or laterally while setting a screen. This is illegal and results in an offensive foul and a change of possession. A legal screen, on the other hand, involves an offensive player standing beside or behind a defender to free a teammate to shoot, pass, or drive to the basket. During a legal screen, the offensive player must keep their feet set before and during the screen.
Illegal screens, or moving screens, can occur during on-ball or off-ball situations. On-ball screens are set for the ball handler, while off-ball screens are set for an offensive player who does not have possession of the ball. In both cases, the screener must give the defender enough time and distance to avoid the screen. If the screener does not provide sufficient time and distance, it is considered an illegal screen.
To ensure a legal screen, the screener must stay within their "cylinder" or "vertical plane". This imaginary cylinder encompasses the area of occupied space surrounding the screener or any other active player, from the floor to the full extent of their reach. The diameter of the cylinder does not extend beyond the player's hands, arms, or legs. Therefore, the offensive player setting the screen must not extend any body parts to delay or obstruct the defender's movement. This includes refraining from extending elbows, forearms, legs, feet, or hips to make contact with the defender.
The consequences of an illegal screen include an offensive foul charged to the screener and a loss of basketball possession to the opposing team. This can have a significant impact on the outcome of the game, highlighting the importance of understanding and adhering to the rules surrounding screens in basketball.
To avoid committing illegal screens, players should maintain their position and provide sufficient space for defenders to navigate. Coaches play a crucial role in teaching players how to set clean, hard screens that adhere to the rules, emphasizing fair play and strategy. By mastering the art of setting legal screens, players can enhance their gameplay efficiency and create scoring opportunities for their team without violating the rules.
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Offensive players must remain stationary at the moment of contact
A moving screen is a colloquial term used when a screener makes prohibited contact with a defender by moving their feet or other parts of their body while the defender tries to avoid the screen by going over or under it. The screener must stay within their own cylinder, or vertical plane, which is approximately shoulder-width apart. This means that the offensive player setting the screen cannot extend any body parts to delay or prevent a defender from reaching their desired destination, which is usually near another offensive player.
The screener must give the defender enough time and distance to avoid the screen. In an on-ball screen, the screener should set both feet first about shoulder-width apart and remain stationary until the defender clears the screen. Similarly, in an off-ball screen, the screener should have their feet set shoulder-width apart while remaining stationary. The off-ball screener should also ensure that they provide enough space for the defender to avoid the screen, especially if the defender does not have the screen in their field of vision.
It is important to note that an illegal screen can also occur if the recipient of the screen utilizes it too early, before the screener is fully set. This can result in an offensive foul and a loss of possession to the opposing team. Therefore, offensive players must be mindful of their positioning and maintain a stationary stance at the moment of contact with a defender to avoid committing a moving pick or moving screen violation.
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Legal screens are a blocking move to free a teammate
In basketball, a "moving pick" is a colloquial term for an illegal screen. A screen, or pick, is a blocking move by an offensive player to free a teammate to shoot, pass, or drive in to score. Legal screens are an important part of basketball strategy, creating advantageous scenarios for teams. When a screen is performed correctly, it can cause the opposing team's defensive structure to temporarily disarray, leading to favorable conditions for the offense.
A legal screen is performed when an offensive player stands beside or behind a defender, with their feet set at a width of approximately shoulder-width apart, remaining stationary before and during the screen. The screener must stay within their own "cylinder," an imaginary vertical plane surrounding the player from the floor to as high as they can jump or extend their arms. This cylinder is approximately shoulder-width wide, and the offensive player must not extend any body parts to delay or prevent a defender from reaching their desired destination.
The defender can then push into the screener or divert around them, losing a few steps. The screener is then often open to roll to the basket and receive a pass. This tactic is called a "pick and roll." Another tactic is the "pick and pop," where the ballhandler drives to the basket while the screener squares for a jump shot.
An illegal screen, or moving pick, occurs when the offensive player setting the screen moves their feet horizontally or laterally, or moves toward or sideways into a defender to create contact. The screener must not move to make contact or gain an advantage, and they must give the defender a "reasonable opportunity" to avoid the screen. If the screener moves to re-establish a screen, they must still give the defender enough time and distance to avoid the screen.
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Moving screens can be on-ball or off-ball
A moving screen in basketball is when an offensive player moves their feet horizontally or laterally while setting a screen. It is an illegal move that results in an offensive foul and a change of possession. Moving screens can occur during on-ball or off-ball situations.
On-ball screens occur when a player sets a pick for the ball handler, obstructing the defensive player guarding them and creating an open path toward the basket. The screener should set both feet first about shoulder-width apart and remain stationary until the defender clears the screen.
Off-ball screens, on the other hand, happen when a teammate without possession of the ball gets screened. The purpose is to free the non-possession player from their defender to create more opportunities to receive passes and take shots. In this case, the screener should also have their feet set shoulder-width apart while remaining stationary.
Moving screens can be illegal in both on-ball and off-ball situations. An illegal screen occurs when the screener moves to make contact with the defender or fails to give them enough time and distance to avoid the screen. This can include moving horizontally or laterally towards a defender or moving any body part to delay or prevent the defender from reaching their desired position.
To summarise, moving screens can be utilised in both on-ball and off-ball scenarios, but it is important to adhere to the rules regarding illegal screens to avoid fouls and maintain fair play.
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Frequently asked questions
A moving pick, also known as an illegal screen, is a violation in basketball where the offensive player setting the screen moves toward or sideways into a defender to create contact. This can be done by moving their feet or extending their elbows, forearms, legs, hips, or feet to obstruct the defender's movement.
The consequences of a moving pick can range from fouls called on the offending team to potential injuries for both the offending player and the defender. It can also result in a loss of possession, giving opponents a scoring opportunity.
To avoid committing a moving pick, the offensive player setting the screen must remain stationary at the moment of contact with the defender. They should also allow the defender a reasonable opportunity to avoid the screen by providing enough time and distance for them to do so.





































