COACHING POINTS
A great screener is the most valuable skillset an offense can have. The screener is the straw that stirs the drink! On some nights, a great screener will get his, and on others, he will open the floor for everybody else. A selfless mindset is a must!
1. EVERY SCREEN AN AMBUSH
The screener should arrive with pace. Sprinting into a screen makes it difficult for the defense to defend properly. If the target to be screened knows it is coming, flip the screen or change the angle. Be diverse.
2. ANGLES AND FOOTWORK
The goal is to reroute the defenders hips. If the defender getting screened turns his hips, slip to the basket. If he keeps his hips level, screen the lower third of the defender.
Dont let him the defender get under. If he does, "check" and rescreen the other way.
The first three steps are the most important, whether its a reverse pivot or forward pivot, the first three steps must be like a 100 meter dash. Straight to the circle, no banana cuts.
3. PLAYMAKING
Play to your strengths. If you can finish vertically, roll to the rim and look for lobs. If you can make quick decisions, short roll and attack from the mid post. If you are a threat to shoot the three, pick and pop. To maintain switch integrity, all screeners must have the ability to post guards.
COMMON MISTAKES
Here are the three most common ballscreen mistakes...
1. WALKING INTO THE SCREEN
Melting butter! Very easy to guard.
2. SCREENING SHOULDERS TO BASELINE
To easy to get under.
3. SELFISHNESS
It is not easy to be dependent on a guard to pass you the ball. Particularly early in the season. Just know, it is our aim to get to the ball to the roller every play. If that is taken away, other guys must make the play.
* A note on moving screens
To avoid a moving screen, the player must set his screen "inside a telephone booth." Feet inside his shoulders. Hips and shoulders square. You cannot lean into a defender for extra contact.
VIDEO EXAMPLES
1. Rockets Screening
