COACHING POINTS
The goal is to get the player to trust from the neck down, so that he can play from the neck up. Keep the footwork simple and the ball protected, so that he can survey the floor and make plays. Game reps are critical. Players must be willing to explore and make mistakes!
1. SETUP
The player should treat the screen like its 1v1. This means playing in an open stance, being a threat to go both ways and also to shoot. The goal is to gain a yard of space between the player and the defender. This will be achieved by being a threat to reject and shoot.
2. PROBING
The player must separate from the screen as to stretch out the 2v1 with the roll. The probing dribble, or "hang dribble" allows the player an extra half second to read the defense. If the big commits to him, pass. If the big does not, attack the rim.
3. PLAYMAKING
The defender in a 2v1 can either commit to the ballhandler or to the roll. If the defender commits to the ballhandler, he is now a passer. He must keep his eyes up and read the floor. Take a "soft gaze" of the floor. Don't focus on specific things. (Like a QB.)
The first read is to the roll man. If he is open, get it to him. If a help defender is taking it away, progress to the second read.
If the help defender has two feet in the paint, kick it that direction. If the help defender has no feet in the paint, hit the roll man. If they are straddling the key, manipulate them with your eyes.
If the defender commits to the roll, the ballhandler is now a threat to score. Gather the ball and "sticky step" or "jump stop" towards a pass or a shot. Remember its not a race from A to B, its about having options each step of the way.
COMMON MISTAKES
Here are the three most common ballscreen mistakes...
1. SETTING UP WITH A CLOSED STANCE
You are only a threat to go one way, so defenders can get into your body. If the ball is a threat to be stolen, you can close your stance, however when it is time to use the ballscreen you will have to swivel your hips or backdribble to get back to a square position.
2. PICKING UP THE DRIBBLE EARLY
Players dont trust what is going on from the neck down, their ballhandling and footwork. They get afraid that the ball will be stolen. Keep your footwork and ballhandling simple. Once you trust that it wont get stolen, you can play from the neck up.
3. FIXATING ON ONE OPTION
Players will often predetermine what they are going to do in a ballscreen instead of letting the game come to them. Remember, with a well executed screen, the defense is always wrong. Maintain a soft gaze, and be open to capitalizing on any opportunity given by the defense. Your vision should be like a "floodlight" and not a "spotlight." See everything.
VIDEO EXAMPLES
1. Kobe Bryant
2. Joe Ingles
3. Argentina
4. Milos Teodosic
5. Steve Nash (1)
6. Steve Nash (2)
7. Saint Mary's
8. Joe Rahon
9. Dimitris Diamontidis
10. Andre Miller
11. Russell Westbrook
12. Gordon Hayward
