Digital Playbook: Screening in Motion

Down screens can be set on the perimeter to open up players.

Down screens should occur between the slot and the corner or the flank and the corner.

Oftentimes, screening is a role defined by the coaching staff. Not every player necessarily will be a screener.

The screener must tuck into the elbow, getting his back to the ball, before setting a screen. A good screening angle leads to an open cutter.

The cutter must set his man up and wait to use the screen until the screener pops his feet. The cutter should make contact with the screen before making a read.

The cutter must read the defender and make his cut accordingly.

If the defender is trailing behind the cutter, the cutter should make a tight cut.

The screener should be a second cutter and move away from the initial cutter. In the case of a tight cut, the screener should pop. 

If the cutter’s defender cheats under the screen and into the paint, the cutter should make a fade cut.

The screener should dive to the basket, away from the cutter.

Other screen reads in special situations include:

1. Back cut if you are denied coming over the screen

2. Slip if the defense switches the screen

Flare screens can be set on the perimeter to free up our shooters. They should occur between the corner and the slot or the corner and the flank.

The screener gets his back to the corner and sets his flare screen right outside of the elbow.

The cutter sets his man up at the nail, or center of the free throw line, before cutting. The cutter much connect to the screener to use it properly.

The cutter takes three running steps and then opens up to the ball to receive the pass.

The screener acts as a second cutter and dives to the basket.

The player with the ball should "dribble towards the action" to improve their passing angle.

Adjustment: The screener can pop for a "flare reverse" instead of diving.

If the defender cheats over the top of the flare screen, the cutter can tight cut.

The screener would act as a second cutter, popping to the perimeter opposite of the cutter.

Other screen reads in special situations include slipping the screen if the defense switches or back cutting when overplayed.

Double staggered screens can be set on the perimeter.

These screens often happen after a quick ball reversal, usually when the flank position is filled.

The second screener on the staggered screen must "clean up” the screen - this player should not set up directly behind the first screener.

The cutter has the same cut reads as a down screen.

Screen reads on a staggered screen may include:

1. Tight cutting

2. Fading

3. Back cutting

4. Slipping the screen(s)

5. Tight cutting the first screen without using the second screen

Note: A double staggered screen is best set if the man guarding the cutter is shading towards him and not fully at help position.

Blast screens are similar to double staggered screens. Often, a staggered screen can turn into a blast screen depending on the defenders' location.

These are set if the cutter's defender is on the help line.

The screeners come shoulder to shoulder and the cutter cuts right behind the screen ("straight cut").

The cutter could also cut through the middle of two screeners, turning the action into a "gate screen".

Nail screens are screens set between the slots.

Nail screens generally happen when a slot passes to either a corner or the flank.

This is a better angle than a regular down screen coming from the slot.

The screen/cutter reads are the same as a down screen. The following are the reads that can be made:

1. Tight cut

2. Fade cut

3. Back cut

4. Slip the screen

At any time, a cutter or a post player can back screen his way out to the perimeter.

Back screens should be set at the three point line to maintain proper spacing and floor balance.

Often, back screens are set when a cutter fills to a preoccupied spot, like the corner.

Back screens may also be set by a player in the dunker spot.