On-Ball Screens Reads & Counters
| Mid Screens | Side Screens | Horns (Double High) |
Mid Screen
On-Ball Mid Screens are used on every level for a very good reason. Since the action takes place in the center of the floor, it takes away any helpside support making it very difficult to defend. In addition, the on-ball screen provides for an array of quick hitting options. However, to be successful, these options must be recognized and executed properly.
Basic Reads and Counters. What if . . .
1. The defender CHASES & TRAILS over the screen?
2. The defender GOES Under the screen?
3. The defenders SWITCH against the screen?
4. The defenders SHOW &RECOVER on screen?
5. The defender goes CHEATS OVER the screen early?
6. The defenders TRAP against the screen?
Read: Defenders CHASES OVER the screen.
Counter Drive
When the defender CHASES OVER the side screen, the ballhandler drives hard to the basket.
Drop
When the weakside post's defender DROPS OFF to help out against the drive, the ballhandler simply makes a drop pass for an easier shot.
Kick
If the wing defender SAGS OFF to help out on the drive, the ballhandler makes a kick out pass for a wide open, spot up shot.
Read: Defender CHEATS UNDER the screen.
Pull Up Jumper
When the defender goes UNDER the screen, the ballhandler pulls up for an open jump shot.
Read: Defenders SWITCH on the mid-screen.
Screen &Roll
When the defenders SWITCH on the mid-screen, the screener seals off the defender, and rolls to the basket for shot.
Post Isolation
When defenders SWITCH, the screener posts up strong to exploit smaller defender. The ballhandler can either feed post directly or pass to any of the perimeter players for the post feed.
Wing Isolation
When the defensive players SWITCH, the screener clears out to weakside, isolating the ballhandler one-on-one against bigger less agile defender. The ballhandler should string out and take the defender further away from the basket by taking a dribble backwards. This will also allow the screener time to clear. If the bigger defender does not react to the back dribble it creates and open shot for the ballhandler.
Read: Defenders SHOW &RECOVER against the mid-screen.
Slip the Screen
When the screener's defender steps out and "SHOWS" on the mid screen, the screener can slip the screen and cut away to the basket.
Pop Out
If the screener is a good outside shooter, they have the option of "Popping Out" for open, spot up shot.
Read: Defender CHEATS OVER the screen.
Drive Opposite
When the On-Ball defender anticipates the side screen and CHEATS OVER early, the ballhandler should drive opposite to the basket. In changing direction to drive opposite, the ball handler can use a front crossover, a reverse pivot (spin) dribble, a behind the back dribble, or a reverse between the legs dribble.
Lob Pass
If the screener's defender overplays to deny or disrupt the screen, the screener back cuts to the basket looking for a lob pass.
Read: Defenders DOUBLE TEAM against the on-ball screen.
Post Roll
Post Pop
When the defenders trap or double team, the ballhandler should immediately string out the defenders by backing out the dribble. The screener can either roll to the basket or pop out to create a 2-1-2 alignment. The low post goes opposite the screener. The ballhandler looks to feed the screener rolling to the basket or low post back cutting to the basket. If the post feeds are not available, the 2-1-2 alignment allows for quick ball movement.
The ballhandler can also beat the double team by splitting the defenders using a reverse between the legs dribble.
Side Screen
The Side Screen Offense is a two player screen and roll isolation. Although the Side Screen is a fairly simple looking play, it incorporates a magnitude of quick hitting options, which make it so lethal. However, to be success, these options must be recognized and executed properly.
Basic Reads and Counters. What if . . .
1. Defender CHASES &TRAILS over the screen?
2. Defender goes UNDER the screen?
3. Defenders SWITCH against the screen?
4. Defenders SHOW &RECOVER on screen?
5. Defender goes CHEATS OVER the screen?
6. Defenders TRAP against the screen?
Caution: Players must learn to execute side screens using both the right and left sides of the court.
Read: Defenders CHASES OVER the screen.
Drive
When the defender CHASES OVER the side screen, the ballhandler drives hard to the basket.
Drop
When the weakside post's defender DROPS OFF to help out against the drive, the ballhandler simply makes a drop pass for an easier shot.
Kick
If either wing defenders SAG OFF to help out on the drive, the ballhandler makes a kick out pass for a wide open, spot up shot.
Read: Defender goes UNDER the screen.
Pull Up Jumper
When the defender goes UNDER the screen, the ballhandler pulls up for an open jump shot.
Read: Defenders SWITCH on the screen.
Screen &Roll
When the defenders SWITCH on the side screen, the screener "Seals" the ballhandler's initial defender, and rolls to the basket for shot.
Post Isolation
When defenders SWITCH, the screener posts up strong to exploit smaller defender. The ballhandler can either feed post directly or pass to any of the perimeter players for the post feed.
Point Isolation
When the defensive players SWITCH, the screener clears out to weakside, isolating the ballhandler one-on-one against bigger less agile defender. The ballhandler should string out and take the defender further away from the basket by taking a dribble backwards. This will also allow the screener time to clear. If the bigger defender does not react to the back dribble it creates and open shot for the ballhandler.
If the ballhandler's shot is not available, the post can then dive to the basket to exploit smaller defender.
Read: Defenders SHOW &RECOVER against the screen.
Slip the Screen
When the screener's defender steps out and "SHOWS" on the side screen, the screener can slip the screen and cut away to the basket.
Pop Out
The screener also has the option of "Popping Out" to the corner for open shot eliminating any helpside defensive support.
>Read: Defender anticipates and CHEATS OVER the screen.
Drive Opposite
When the On-Ball defender anticipates the side screen and CHEATS OVER early, the ballhandler should drive opposite to the basket. In changing direction to drive opposite, the ball handler can use a front crossover, a behind the back, or a reverse between the legs dribble.
Lob Pass
If the screener's defender anticipates the side screen and over plays to deny or disrupt the screen, the screener back cuts to the basket looking for a lob pass.
Read: Defenders DOUBLE TEAM against the screen.
String Out
When the defenders TRAP, the ballhandler should string out the defenders by backing out the dribble. The screener rolls to the basket as weakside post flashes into the middle. The ballhandler looks to feed the post flashing who in turn looks to feed the screener or weakside wing back cutting to the basket. If the back cuts are not available the 2-1-2 alignment allows for quick ball movement.
"Horns"
(Double Mid Screens)
By deploying a second high post screener, it allows the ballhandler the option of driving off a screen in either direction. Since screens are available on both sides, unlike a Mid Screen, the Horns offense cannot be disrupted by simply influencing the ball handler away from the screen. Having both screeners high, also, clears out any baseline defensive help against dribble penetration along with creating open shot opportunities for good spot up, outside shooters.
Basic Reads and Counters. What if . . .
1. Defender CHASES &TRAILS over the screen?
2. Defender goes UNDER the screen?
3. Defenders SWITCH against the screen? >
4. Defenders SHOW &RECOVER on screen?
5. Defender goes CHEATS OVER the screen?
6. Defenders TRAP against the screen?
Read: Defenders CHASES OVER the screen.
Drive
When the defender CHASES OVER the screen, the ballhandler drives hard to the basket.
Kick
If the wing's defender SAGS OFF to help out on the drive, the ballhandler makes a kick out pass for a wide open, spot up shot. The wing also has the option of back cutting to the basket for a drop pass and lay-up.
Read: Defender CHEATS UNDER the screen.
Pull Up Jumper
When the defender goes UNDER the screen, the ballhandler pulls up for an open jump shot.
Read: Defenders SWITCH on the Screen.
Screen &Roll
When the defenders SWITCH on the screen, the screener "Seals" off the initial ballhandler's defender, and rolls to the basket for shot.
Post Isolation
When defenders SWITCH, the screener posts up strong to exploit smaller defender. The ballhandler can either feed post directly or pass to any of the peripheral players for the post feed.
Wing Isolation
When the defensive players SWITCH, the screener clears out to weakside, isolating the ballhandler one-on-one against bigger less agile defender. The ballhandler should string out and take the defender further away from the basket by taking a dribble backwards. This will also allow the screener time to clear. If the bigger defender does not react to the back dribble it creates and open shot for the ballhandler.
Read: Defenders SHOW & RECOVER against the screen.
Slip the Screen
When the screener's defender steps out and "SHOWS" on the screen, the screener can slip the screen and cut away to the basket.
Pop Out
If the screener is a good outside shooter, he/she has the option of "Popping Out" for open, spot up shot.
Read: Defender CHEATS OVER the screen.
Drive Opposite
When the On-Ball defender anticipates the side screen and CHEATS OVER early, the ballhandler should drive opposite to the basket. In changing direction to drive opposite, the ball handler can use a front crossover, a behind the back, or a reverse between the legs dribble.
Lob Pass
If either screener's defender overplays to deny or disrupt the screen, the screener back cuts to the basket looking for a lob pass.
Read: Defenders DOUBLE TEAM against the screen.
Post Roll
Post Pop
When the defenders trap, the ballhandler should immediately string out the defenders by backing out the dribble. The screener can either roll to the basket or pop out to create a 2-1-2 alignment. The ballhandler looks to feed the screener rolling to the basket. If the post feed is not available, the 2-1-2 alignment allows for quick ball movement against the double team.
Return to Player Development - Click Here
Return to Defensive Strategies - Click Here
Return to HoopTactics - Click Here
