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Attacking On Ball Screens


 

 

 

Recognizing & Attacking "On Ball" Screens.

"It is difficult to set a screen on a hard nosed defensive player"

On Ball screens produce a variety of quick hitting options, and pose a real threat to any player who is not well prepared to defend them. Since On Ball screens (Pick & Roll) are contained in the playbooks of every NBA team, if you have any ambitions in reaching the top and playing on the professional level, you will definitely need to master the fundamentals of disrupting On Ball screens.

Basically, in combating the On Ball screen the defender should simply influence and force the ballhandler in a direction away from the screen.

However, in reality, this is not always possible and, in addition, teams are now deploying double high screens. Therefore, it is critical that players master the various techniques needed to attack and disrupt On Ball screens. The following defensive tactics can be used in disrupting On Ball screens no matter where they occur on the court.

Six Ways to Disrupt "On Ball" Screens or Dribble Handoffs (Weave)

1

Jump Switch. Aggressively switching, not allowing ball reversal. Take away the roll.

Ballhandler shaky or screener is offensive threat.

2

Trap. Double Team the ballhandler coming off the screen. Low "Helpside I" defender rotates over to take away roll option.

Ball handler is a big offensive threat.

3

Trap Early. Double team ball handler before the screen takes place.

Both ballhandler & screener are offensive threats.

4

Show & Recover. Hedge and fight over the screen.

Screener not an offensive threat.

5

Shadow. Screener's defender sags off and assumes a support position.

Ballhandler is a penetrator and screener is not an outside threat.

6

Jam. Jam or disrupt the screener and go under the screen.

Ballhandler is not an outside threat.

Communication, teamwork, and aggressiveness are key components in defending against the On Ball screen.

Since the offensive strategy being deployed by the opponents will vary from team to team, and even from player to player, in order to successfully attack and disrupt the On Ball screen, it must be first analyzed as to how and why it is being set. Once analyzed, the defense can take the initiative, and use the proper technique to attack it. When a turnover does occurs or when a bad shot is forced during an ON BALL screen situation, it usually triggers a fast break and usually results in an easy transition basket.

1. Jump Switch Option

Basic Read: Ballhandler is shaky or screener is offensive threat

Aggressively jump switching is an effective weapon in combating the "On Ball" screen (Screen & Roll) especially against weak or shaky ball handlers. The jump switch option should also be considered against a screener who is a post up threat.

To execute the Jump Switch, the defender guarding the screener must jump out low directly into the dribbler's path. This sudden attack commonly results in a turnover (steal or traveling violation) or in an offensive foul. At the very least it will disrupt the execution of a side screen or dribble hand off.

  1. Jump Switch rotations vs. Mid Screen
  2. Jump Switch rotations vs. Side Screen
  3. Jump Switch rotations vs. Double Mid Screens

2. Trap Option

Basic Read: Ball handler is a big offensive threat

Disruption of the "On Ball" screen can be achieved by trapping or double teaming the ball handler. This is an important option to consider when faced with defending a ball handler, like the 76er's Allen Iverson, who is so hard to guard. The trap is the primary technique used in "SOS" all out disruption.

  1. Trap rotations vs. Mid Screen
  2. Trap rotations vs. Side Screen
  3. Trap rotations vs. Double Mid Screens.

3. Trap Early Option

Basic Read: Both ballhandler & screener are offensive threats

Total disruption can be achieved by trapping the ball handler before an On Ball screen can be set. The Early Trap can be an effective weapon to use against great "Pick & Roll" combinations such as Stockton and Malone.

  1. Trap Early rotations vs. Mid Screen
  2. Trap Early rotations vs. Side Screen
  3. Trap Early rotations vs. Double Mid Screens

4. Show & Recover Option

Basic Read: Screener not an offensive threat

"Show & Recover" is the method of choice for most NBA teams in defending against the On Ball screen (Screen & Roll). The Show & Recover technique involves the player defending the screener to step out ("Show") into the ball handler's path forcing the ball handler wide and allowing time for ball handler's defender to catch up after fighting over the screen. Once the ball handler's defender is in a position to reassume a guarding position, the player that "Shows" releases (Recovers) back to the screener rolling to basket or popping out.

  1. Show & Recover rotations vs. Mid Screen
  2. Show & Recover rotations vs. Side Screen
  3. Show & Recover rotations vs. Double Mid Screens

5. Shadow Option

Basic Read: Ballhandler is a penetrator and screener is not an outside threat

When the screener is not an offensive threat, the defender can sag off into an ON Ball support (Shadow) position. The defender guarding the ball handler forces the ball handler away from the screen towards the baseline checkpoint.

The "Shadow" player playing off in a supporting role has options of trapping, faking a trap or jump switching.

  1. Shadow rotations vs. Mid Screen
  2. Shadow rotations vs. Side Screen
  3. Shadow rotations vs. Double Mid Screens

6. Jam Option

Basic Read: Ballhandler is not an outside threat

When the ball handler is not an outside threat, the defender guarding the screener can disrupt the On Ball screen by playing tight and forcing the screener out high away from defender X1 and into the ball handler's path. Defender X1 then goes below the screener staying with O1 and protecting against a drive.

  1. Jam the Screener rotations vs. Mid Screen
  2. Jam the Screener rotations vs. Side Screen
  3. Jam the Screener rotations vs. Double Mid Screens

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