How To Execute Screen Play

Learning the fundamentals of a screen play is an important skill to improve your offensive game. Screen play can be used in different ways: with your teammate free of his defender by your body as a wall, a few seconds of free time to a shot of the screen to free yourself so you can give a pass to another player, or defenders to switch to a height advantage.

There are two important elements in running a good screen play: one setting screen which is usually the bigger player and a reception of the screen, which is usually the point guard or off guard. Both should move in the right timing.
First, the player who sets the screen to an attitude by standing in the position where the width of his body can be used most. The feet should be shoulder width apart, hands tucked in while the body to prevent the commission of an illegal pick. The recipient of the screen at this point is to set up his defender parallel to the direction of the intended cut.
Then the setter of the screen position and possession of a right angle and wait for his teammate to cut it. The other player then the defender will head towards the screen.
It is important to ensure that the game is perfectly timed. Too early would mean that the player giving the screen still not been established position. He would be called for an illegal screen and will lead to turning the ball over the opponent. Too late and the defender could react to the screen and the game would be useless.
Once the cut is made, both the setter and the receiver is opened, a switch is likely to happen. Both players must react quickly and make a game out of this situation. As mentioned, the screen can be used to the height advantage on the defender, a shot from the time the cutter is free, easy and give the ball to another teammate.
Here are the different types of screens:
1. Screen Back2. Ball Screen3. Cross Screen4. Below the screen
Here are the different types of cuts
1. Cut Fade2. Save3. Wing Cut4. Curl Cut
When used properly, the screen will play a good attacking game and will probably be one of your strengths as an offensive team.