Copyright © 2004 Craig Rowe

Last updated: 15 April 2004

Home

Hints & Tips

Shooting

Juniors

Programs

Defence

Team 'O' #1 #2

About Coach-R

Sign Guestbook

Links

HINTS & TIPS

Introduction   3-2 Screening Motion   Coming Off Screens   General Overview

Note: Click on titles below to return to top of screen

Introduction

The offence highlighted here is a 3-out-2-in motion with screens, by definition it may also fall in the category of a passing game and inverted offence. In general the fundamental screening principles need to be taught and applied. This offence uses the following screens: Up Screen, Back Screen, Away Screen, Cross Screen and Down Screen. The key to this offence is: "Pass, Screen and Replace". All players rotate through all positions therefore all players must be able to set screens and come off screens. All players must also be able to execute a good range of post and perimeter moves, and must be excellent shooters at intermediate range. It is best played against a man offence.

3-2 Screening Motion

Option 1 - Point pass to wing - point screens away
bullet Players start 3 out 2 in. If the point (1) passes to the wing (2), they screen away for the weakside wing (3).
bullet The cutter (3) must set their defensive opponent up and wipe them off the screen looking to receive the ball at the free throw line for a shot.
bullet If the lane is open they drive strong to the basket, if they don't receive the pass or fail to get the shot off they retreat/replace at the point position to maintain court balance.
Option 2 - Pass from wing to point - wing down screens post
bullet When a wing (2) player passes to the point (3) the passer down screens the post (5).
bullet The point (3) looks to hit the cutter (5) with the pass at intermediate range for the shot.
bullet If the cutter (5) doesn't receive the pass or can't get a shot off they retreat/replace on the wing to maintain court balance
Option 3 - Post feed from wing - wing up screens point
bullet If a wing player (5) passes in to the post (2) the wing player up screens the point (3). The post (2) looks to feed the cutter (3) coming off the screen for an intermediate shot. If the cutter (3) does not receive the ball or can't get a shot off they retreat to the wing to maintain court balance.
Option 4 - Post pass to wing #1 - post cross screens weakside post
bullet If a post player (2) passes the ball to the wing (3) they set a cross screen for the weakside post (4).
bullet The weakside post (4) cuts off the screen, the wing player (3) looks to feed the cutter, if the cutter fails to receive the ball they hold the strong post position, if they fail to score they look to pass out to the wing (3) or the point (5).
bullet The post player may choose to flex cut off his teammate instead of setting the screen in this instance
Option 5 - Post pass to wing #2 - post up screens point
bullet If the post (4) passes the ball to the wing (3) as an alternate option to the cross screen they may up screen the point (5).
bullet (5) looks to cut off the screen and receive the pass from (3) for a lay-up.
bullet The screener (4) looks to relocate at the point.
bullet If the cutter fails to receive the ball or get a shot off they hold the post position.
Option 6 - Post pass to point - post back screens wing
bullet If post (5) passes to point (4) they may back screen the wing (3).
bullet The wing (3) looks to backdoor their opponent off the screen.
bullet The point (4) looks to feed the cutter (3).

Note:- The other option of the post to point pass is a cross screen for the other post or a flex cut.

Coming Off Screens

The success of this offence depends on each player's ability to set their defender up and use the screen wisely. A player who is to use a screen should walk or run his player into his team mate. As he runs past his team mate he should try to brush past his shoulder when coming off the screen. Coach Rowe teaches 5 main options off a screen's execution, these are flash, curl, step off, back door and slip the screen. Each option is determined by how an opponent defends the screen. The offensive player coming off the screen must read their defender and take the appropriate option. A brief description of each option follows...

Flash - A straight cut used off a screen, the cutter makes no deviation, the back of the screener's head and shoulders are normally square to the ball (e.g. pass and screen away). The cutter uses the screen angle to wipe his opponent off the screen. This is used when flashing directly to the ball, a shot is taken if the defender has been stopped by the screen.

Curl - Upon reaching the screener the cutter makes a sharp cut around the screener and towards the basket to receive the ball. The screener protects the cutter who may receive the ball for a lay-up or shot if the key-way is unguarded.

Step Off - If the defender goes behind the screen the cutter steps back away from the screener to use the screen to protect an open uncontested shot (i.e. the defender gets trapped behind the screen in trying to beat it).

Back Door - If the defender tries to beat the screen by stepping over/through the screener, the cutter makes a quick change of direction and uses the screen again cutting back door and leaving his opponent trapped on the high side of the screen.

Slip the Screen - Is an option where the screener basket cuts quickly just before setting the screen, the screen is more of a decoy than an actual screen as it is the screener who is the target for the pass in this situation. No screen is actually set or used.

Players must learn that after setting a screen they must always open up to the ball, often they become the next option if the cutter was unsuccessful in receiving the ball or scoring. Within this structure once a player has set their screen and opened to the ball, if they do not receive the ball they replace to position they screened for.

General Overview

This offence has been used and developed by Coach Rowe to help teach players the fundamentals of screening. Regardless of whether the screens advocated here are used within this offensive structure, the fundamental principles and options outlined here can be used by players with relative success outside of team structure or offence. In other words they provide a good guide for setting screens for team mates in general.

Strengths

bullet It is an inverted offence (i.e. initial action of offence is away from keyway/basket to draw out the defence, followed in general by basket cutting off the screens)
bullet Being 3-out-2-in it provides good post and perimeter opportunities.
bullet Court Balance is easily maintained.
bullet Screens are set appropriate distances from the ball and basket to create space for the cutter to get open.
bullet Because 5 fundamental screens are used along with the flex cut - Man defence is challenged in defending all the different screens.
bullet Once timing is effective cutting players will soon find they will be coming off two screens.
bullet The offence can be expanded beyond the key options outlined here .
bullet The Offence still allows for 2 and 3 man game principles to be applied.
bullet Due to the "Pass, Screen & Replace" motion - a rebounding triangle and safety is always maintained.
bullet Screeners can open to the ball once the cutter has come off the screen to become the option
bullet Cutters attack higher percentage areas.

Weaknesses

bullet It is not effective against a zone.
bullet Skip passes are undesirable, no screening action takes place in this instance until the next pass.
bullet Cutting players MUST wipe their opponent off the screens.
bullet Cutters must wait for the screen to be set before moving, timing is the key.
bullet Screens must be set at the appropriate distances from the basket to create space for cutters to get open in high percentage areas.