Screening within the offense

Today we are going to look at our screening rules within the offense.  Now a couple of things that I have noticed with us in regards to screening:  1) Kids want to go way to fast when implementing this.  Make them slow down, they have to change pace, we try to teach them to walk into the defender that is guarding them and make the initial contact.  Only time this changes is when teams are playing heavy mid-line, in which we automatically ou-tcut.
2) Kids want to predetermine cuts in the offense.  Usually this results in every cut being a straight cut, and makes this more or less pattern, and easy to defend.  In the coming days I will have some trash can drills that we use to help break this habit.
3) Kids don't get to the screen, they want to drift around the perimeter.  Once again this is a speed problem, make them follow the elements of the screen to get there.
4) Screeners go screen when the ball is out of position.  This is not too bad of a problem, but if the ball is on the right wing, and a screen is being set on the backside of the floor, it usually results in an ineffective screen and cut.  This is where patience has to set it, and they have to realize to wait for the ball to be somewhat centered so that it can see action on both sides of the floor, and they have to re-screen once the ball is being centered.
5) Kids away from the ball want to watch the ball.  This makes it tough to read defenders at an early stage.  Try to teach see the ball, watch your defender, the ball will find you once you contact the screen and get open.  Before then, see what your defender is doing.  This will also help in the pre-determine problem that we have had.

Here are our screening concepts:

ELEMENTS OF THE SCREEN:

1. Basket cut:  In order to set up a good screening angle, we must basket cut to make all defenders react.  Screens should be set 1-2 feet outside the lane.

2. Walk the arc:  Get nose to nose with the screener, change of pace, slow then explode.

3. Nose to Nose:  Maker sure that the cutter, and screener are nose to nose in relation before reading the screen.

4. Screener head for defenders shoulder based upon where you are at on the floor.  As they move (defender) your aiming point moves.

5. Hip To Hip:  Close the space between screener and cutter. Make sure that there is no room for the defender to get through.

6. Finish the cut:  Once you decide what you are going to do, don’t second guess.  Go full speed, and force the defender to play the cut.

7. Second Cutter:  Screener is always the second cutter.  Go opposite the first cutter, and do so with a purpose. First cutter inside = second cutter away.  First cutter away = second cutter inside.

8. Read the defense, don’t predetermine your cut!!!

TYPES OF SCREENS:

1.        Down Screen:  Screening towards the basket, with back usually facing the ball.

2.       Flare Screen:  Screen from the seam to the slot, when a screener is on the wing, or below the cutter.

3.       Pin Screen:  Screen from outside the perimeter towards the post area. 

4.       Back Screen/Up Screen:  Back to basket, moving up the floor.

We want to try to set all screens outside of the lane, the reason for this, is so that we can keep the floor spread, and it gives us a pretty good spacing opportunity for either inside first cuts, or inside second cuts. By doing this, and wanting screens outside of the paint, we have noticed that we have better dribble penetration angles as well.  There isn't as much traffic.

Thanks and see you tomorrow!!