Ball Screen Basics

The ball screen is such an effective play in basketball that it can't be ignored.  As a matter of fact, at the upper levels of basketball this basic play is so prevalent that one would have to try hard to avoid seeing it.  It is a misconception, however, that this move is simple.  The ball screen and subsequent roll the screener makes requires both physical execution by two teammates and an effective read of what the defense is doing in reaction to the move.  There is so much detail involved in the screen and roll that we at TBL will have multiple posts on the topic. 

In this post we will cover the basics of the screen and roll.  Some of the topics covered will be:

• Areas of the court where the screens should take place.
• Areas of the court where the screens should not take place.
• Rules for the screener.
• Rules for the ball handler.
• Options for the ball handler.
• Options for the screener after the screen.

Ideal Areas on the Court for Ball Screens

You need space to run ball screens.  A good ball screen will try to draw two people to the ball in an effort to get the screener open or produce a mismatch somewhere as the defense scrambles to recover after the ball screen takes place.  With that in mind the worst place on the floor for a ball screen is near the baseline.  It's just too easy for the ball handler to walk into a double team at the baseline. Ideally you want to set the screen somewhere in the area around the top of the floor, no lower than the free throw line extended.  You also want to make sure that the screen is set close enough to the basket that the dribbler can get a shot off if the defense does a poor job defending this play.

Good area for ball screen

Another good area for ball screen

Poor area on the court for ball screen

Rules of the Ball Handler

1. Try not to telegraph the ball screen
2. Stay low on the dribble.  You don't want to lose the ball.
3. Set up the screen by faking the opposite way then bringing your man to the screener.  When approaching the screen make sure that your side rubs up against your teammates side.  This will prevent the defender from splitting the screen.
4. Read the defense.  Take a look at how the defender covering you is playing you.  Is he getting over the top of the screen or is he going under it?  How about the person defending the screener.  Is he hedging hard?  Is he staying with the screener?  What about the screener.  Is he going to roll to the basket?  Is he going to make a fade cut?  Is he going to pop out for a jump shot?  As you can see the ball handler needs to process a lot of info in a short amount of time.

Rules of the Screener

1. Make sure that you and the ball handler are on the same page.  In other words through eye contact or a signal make sure that both you and the ball handler set the play up properly.
2. Always sprint into the screen.  Never take your time and telegraph what you are trying to do.
3. Stay big.  Keep feet a little wider than shoulder width apart and keep your hands at chest level with elbows semi extended to the sides.  A lot of coaches prefer to have their players protect their privates but this position actually make you small.  You don't want to be small when setting a screen.
4. Get to a spot and stay stationary.  It is the ball handlers job to bring his man to you.  If he doesn't do a good job don't try to make up for it by moving.  You will be called for a moving screen violation.
5. Read the defense.  Take a look at what your defender is doing while you are setting the screen.  Is he over hedging?  Is he not helping out at all?  Can you seal him and go to the basket?  Also take a look at the player guarding the ball handler.  Is he going over the top of the screen?  Is he going under it?  Take a look at the rest of the floor also.  On the roll should you go to the basket?  Should you flare out?  Should you pop?

Options for the Ball Handler

1. Attack the screen straight up.  If the defender covering the screener is not hedging and the screen set by your teammate is good just go around the screen and attack the basket.  If the person covering you went over the screen to cover you he is chasing you right now.
   
2. Pull up for the shot.  If the defender covering the screener does not hedge and your man decides to go underneath to cover you then you can pull up for the jumpshot.  This is why it is beneficial to run pick n rolls when you are in triple threat range.
   
3. Go around the hedge.  If the defender covering the screener comes out to hedge or impede your progress until his teammate recovers you have the choice to aggressively go around the hedge.
   
4. Split the hedge.  If a defender overcommits on the hedge you have the option to split the hedge.
   
5. Ignore the screen.  If the defense is over anticipating the screen and your defender is trying to get a head start getting over the screen you can ignore the screen and go straight to the basket.
   
6. Pass the ball.  One of the options available to the ball handler is to pass the ball.  The pass can go to the screener after the screen is made or to other teammates who may be open as the defense rotates to defend the screen and roll.

Options for the Screener

1. Roll to the basket.  Once the screen is made and the ballhandler has cleared, the screener can use an inside pivot and go to the basket.  By using the inside pivot there is a good chance that the defender guarding the ball gets sealed on your pivot thus completely opening up options both for the screener and the ball handler.
   
2. Pop out for a jump shot.  Once the screen is made the screener can pop out to an open space for a jump shot.  This is very effective if the defender guarding the ball goes under the screen as the screener can pop to the spot the defender vacated.
   
3. Flare out for a jump shot.  Once the screen is made the screener can make a move as if he is rolling to the basket but then backs out towards the 3 point line for a jump shot.
   
4. Slip the screen.  If you see your defender trying to get a head start on a hedge then you can go to the basket without waiting for the ball handler to use your screen.
   

So in a nutshell, the screen and roll is one of the most effective plays in basketball.  When run correctly it is very difficult to defend.  It forces the defense into rotations which creates openings for shots in your offense.  The trick to running a good screen and roll is twofold.  You not only have to make sure that you physically run the action well but you also need to make sure that your players make the right reads off of the defensive reaction to the screen.