ball screens in basketball
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How To Defend Ball Screens In Basketball

One of the most common plays in basketball is called a ball screen.

A player from the opposing team screens the point guard as he or she positions themselves on one side of the court in an effort to get open for a shot. This article will discuss basketball ball screens, including how to defend them and how to counteract them.

What is a Ball Screen in Basketball?

A ball screen is an offensive basketball play in which a non ball-handling offensive player screens a defender by placing their body between the defender and a teammate. This creates space for teammates to catch or distribute passes, attack the hoop, or shoot a jump shot. The most common offensive play in NBA basketball, there are several different types of screens and several different defensive approaches to defeat them, and there are basketball rules against illegal contact in screens to prohibit its illegal use.

What Basketball Rules Would apply to a Ball Screen?

It is crucial to remember that a screen setter’s feet must be firmly placed while laying a screen, as stated in every basketball ruleboook. It is an illegal screen (also known as a moving screen or an illegal pick) if their feet are moving, which will result in an offensive foul and a turnover.

The screening player may receive a technical foul and a technical free throw if it is determined that he intentionally collided with an unwitting player while setting a blind screen while moving his feet.

Ball screens in basketball

Types of ball screens

There are generally 2 types of ball screens in basketball, there’s an ON BALL and an OFF BALL. We will be discussing these in much more detail. Here are the following:

On-Ball Screen

The pick and roll, which directly involves the ball handler, is the most important sort of ball screen used in modern basketball schemes.

This play, which is also known as an on-ball screen, involves a ball handler and a teammate directly interacting.

  • Once the non-ball handling teammate sets the screen on the ball handler’s defender, the ball handler can then either attack the basket, shoot, or pass to his screening teammate
  • This screen setting teammate cuts to the basket (the “roll” in “pick and roll”) or spots up for an open jump shot.
  • The pick and roll is the only screen in which a teammate sets a pick on the defender guarding the dribbler to separate the ball defender from the dribbling ball handler.

Off-Ball Screens

There are numerous different types of ball screens and most are off-ball screens, which involve two teammates who are not handling:

1. Backscreens. An off-ball player screens a defender in the high post to allow a teammate to back door cut from the perimeter to the interior.

2. Double screens. Two separate teammates set screens for the same penetrating teammate.

3. Cross screens. The screener sets the pick in a driving lane allowing an interior player (a big man or a post player) the room in the low post to post up, receive an entry pass, and attack the hoop for a dunk or a layup.

4. Down screens. The screener sets the pick near the baseline (not the sideline), giving a teammate an open jump shot, often from behind the three point line.

5. Flare screens. The screener sets a pick near the top of the key above the free throw line (the nail) creating space on the perimeter for an open jumpshot.

When is a Ball Screen Used?

Separating from defenders is the goal of a successful ball screen. Most screens occur between two teammates who are not already in possession of the ball at the time of the screen. The body of one teammate is set up to block a defender, and the other teammate enters the space that is made by this screen.

Pick-and-roll screens, on the other hand, include the ball handler (often the point guard) directly in the screen action. As a result, the ball handler is then free to shoot, pass, or drive to the basket.

Ball screens are useful strategies for: In addition to making room for a basketball attack, they also:

  • Confuse the defense. With every player potentially being a screen-setter, running multiple ball screens can cause defenses to lose track.
  • Force defenses to switch into less reliable matchups. Defenders often switch their defensive assignment based on how an offense sets screens; offenses can anticipate switching rules and use ball screens to get favorable matchups.

How Can you Defend Ball Screens in Basketball?

There are several ways to defend ball screens in basketball. Let’s take a look at 6 ways you could counter a basketball screen:

Ball screens in basketball

Blitz

One of the main counter-strategies to defend ball screens in basketball is called a blitz. This involves having three defenders converge on the point guard who sets up near one side of the court and slips behind an opposing team member for a shot.

Since there are four players against two, it will be difficult for this set-up play to succeed, unless the opposing team makes a quick pass or takes advantage of the defenders being out of position.

The blitz should be effective in stopping the ball screen if executed properly. But it does leave open other parts on the court to score points.

Down (or Ice)

Another counter-strategy to defend ball screens in basketball is called down. This involves the point guard who sets up near one side of the court and slips behind an opposing team member for a shot, cutting directly under them instead of curling around.

With this play, three offensive players are surrounding two defensive ones. However, with good communication and teamwork, this play can be stopped before it even starts.

Down is a more effective method of defending ball screens because the opposing team only has two offensive players to defend against three defenders.

Step Back

This is another counter-strategy to defend ball screens in basketball. In this case, the point guard who sets up near one side of the court and slips behind an opposing team member for a shot will stop short at curling around them or slipping through their grasp because they know it’s going to be defended.

In this instance, there are three offensive players versus three defensive players. This is an even match, so teamwork and communication are key when executing this defend ball screens in basketball strategy.

Step back works because the opposing team only has two offensive players to defend against three defenders, making it difficult for them not to get blocked or grabbed by a defender.

Another downside of step back is that this defend ball screens in basketball strategy allows for the opposing team’s point guard to get an open shot.

Jam

Another method to defend the ball screen in basketball is called jam. This involves having one of the defenders already positioned near the point guard who sets up near one side of the court and slips behind an opposing team member for a shot. They then move into their path immediately after they’ve received it.

Jam is effective because there are three defenders against two offensive players making it difficult to defend them all at once. This strategy can be countered by having one of the offensive team’s other players cut off their line towards the basket before they get a chance to take the shot.

However, if this strategy is executed properly, there are three defenders against two offensive players making it difficult for them not to get blocked or grabbed by a defender. Another downside of jam is that this defend ball screens in basketball strategy allows for the opposing team’s point guard to get an open shot.

Hedge

The hedge is a technique that the ball screen defender uses to prevent the ball handler from entering the lane. Besides stopping the ball-handler from entering the lane, a hedge can also cause turnovers, non-threatening passes, and also force the ball handler away from the rim.

To perform a hedge, the defender guarding the screen would stay connected to the screener, and at the moment the screen is set, he would step out from behind the screen directly into the path of the ball handler.

A significant thing to note is that this should not then turn into a switch. The hedge is used to avoid switching on the pick-and-roll. After the hedge has been set and the ball-handler retreats or changes direction, the hedger should try to recover to his mark or the closest unmarked player.

A hedge can be effective if executed properly with good communication, teamwork, timing, and execution by all players involved. However, this basketball strategy gives the opposing team’s ball handler some time and enough room for an open shot if implemented. Always choose the right defense depending on the opponent’s offensive threat and abilities!

Switch

Another strategy to defend ball screens is called switch. This is pretty self explanatory. It involves one of the defenders already positioned near the ball handler and the other behind the screener. Once the handler uses the “screen” the defenders then “switch” to the other offensive player so they can take on their assignment instead.

Switching players is best effective if the both defenders are able to matchup against the two offensive players. This neutralizes the advantage of ball screens

However, switching may allow for the opposing team’s point guards enough room if implemented quickly or flawlessly. Another downside of this defend ball screen in basketball strategy, there are more than just two players defending which causes confusion between teammates that must be communicated effectively.

How to Train Against Ball Screens in Basketball

Training against ball screens in basketball is crucial because many offenses rely on them to move the ball towards where they want it.

You should also do drills that defend ball screens specifically so you can develop good habits and mentalities when defending this strategy. Watch videos, study moves, practice defense with your team, and drill defend ball screens specifically while using these tips will help improve how well defend ball screens in basketball works for you!

Ball screens in basketball

Conclusion

And with that, we hope you feel confident in your ability to defend against a ball screen. You now know what it takes to be successful on defense and is ready for any situation! If there was anything you found unclear or if you want more tips to help improve your game, please let us know.

We would love feedback from our readers so share this post with friends who need some advice defending against ball screens too! Do you have any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments below.

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