Screening is an oxymoron. It is an unselfish selfish play. Screening is an unselfish act because you are trying to get your teammate open. Screening is a selfish act because when you set a good screen the screener is often open. Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Marc Gasol, and Dwight Howard are all examples of good screeners/scorers.
Proper screening allows for the offense to run smoothly and effectively. The quality of the shots, the shooting percentages and the assists all improve because of good screening.
Good screeners play at two speeds. They are either slow to set a screen and then fast with their cut. Or they are fast to set a screen and slow with their cut. By playing at different speeds it puts the defense at a disadvantage in their ball screen coverage.
Screening puts a lot of pressure on the defense. When a solid screen is set the defense is forced to:
1. react to the cutter
2. react to the dribbler if the screen is a ball screen 3. react to the screener 4. rebound out of their coverage area 5. scramble to defend the action
In the game today there are so many types of screens that the defense must defend:
1. Pin down (narrow & wide)
2. Back screen
3. Fade/Flair
4. Cross(Big on Big), (Little on Big), (Little on Little) 5. Diagonal up 6. Staggered Double 7. Wall 8. Elevator
Ball screens are their own separate category of screens. Ball screens are very popular in the game right now. Here are some of the different types of ball screens and actions:’
1. Flat – when the screener sets the screen directly behind the defense.
2. Wing – when the screener sets the screen on the wing
3. Sprint – when the screener runs out to set the screen
4.Step off the block wing screen – The post player steps off the block to set ball screen on the wing.
5. Wall Double – Two players stand side by side to set a screen
6. Horns – Two players line up at the elbows
7. Staggered double ball screen – two players set individual staggered screens
8. Drag in transition – Trailing post player sets a ball screen
9. Double Drag in transition – The two trailing post players set ball screens
10. Screen/Re-screen – The screener set a screen and turns to re-screen
The actions that are being employed by the screeners are very creative and interesting. The actions are:
1. Slip and Slam: The first screener automatically slips the screen and the second screener slams the defender. Xavier does a tremendous job of running this type of action.
2.Roll and Replace: The screener rolls after setting the screen on the ball and the opposite big replaces high to fill the vacated spot. VCU does a tremendous job of executing this action.
3. Roll : long to the basket and short for short jumper
4. Pick and pop – usually run with a shooter as the screener. This action has been a staple for St. Louis.
5. Ball screen/flair screen for a jumper – You see this action from many of the International teams.
6. Ball screen/back screen for a lob. UNC has run this action out of the secondary break.
The ball screens are coming from almost every angle imaginable and almost every possible location on the court. Even more intriguing is that the ball screens can be run with almost every combination of players. With all of these factors present the defense must process a lot of information in a very short time or the ball screen actions will destroy the defense. The information that must be processed by the defense:
1. Location of the ball screen
2. Which players are involved with the ball screen and both of their skill sets 3. Angle of the ball screen 4. Time on the shot clock
Setting screens is such an important part of the game. I think there should be a stat called “screen assist”. It would reward the player for setting a screen that led to his teammate getting open and making the shot. This would be a great incentive to screen.
Screening takes place on EVERY offensive play. The label of being a screener has now become an attractive adjective, “SCREENER SCORER”. Screen for others and you will reap the benefits. SET A SCREEN!
