Screens in basketball: down screen and back screen
Screens in basketball step by step
- 1
O1 has the ball at the top. O2 walks down from the right wing to set a down screen for O4 on the right block.
- 2
O4 steps toward the lane to set up the defender, then comes up tight off O2's screen to the right wing.
- 3
O1 passes to O4 on the wing. O2 steps up from the block and sets a back screen behind O1's defender.
- 4
O1 cuts off the back screen to the rim. O2 pops back out to the top after the cutter goes by, so there is a second option.
- 5
O4 passes to O1 for a layup. If the defense helps on the cutter, O2 is open at the top.
Types of screens in basketball
Down screen
The screener moves toward the baseline and screens the defender of a player near the block. The cutter comes up and out to the wing or the top for a catch. It's the most common off-ball screen and the easiest one for young players to learn.
Back screen
The screener moves away from the basket and sets the screen behind a perimeter player's defender, on the side closest to the rim. The cutter goes to the basket. Defenders can't see a back screen coming, so the cutter is often wide open for a lob or a layup.
Flare screen
The screener sets the screen on the inside shoulder of a defender, and the cutter drifts away from the ball toward the wing or corner for a jump shot. The flare screen works best for good shooters whose defenders like to sit in the lane to help.
Ball screen
The screen is set on the defender guarding the dribbler. This is the pick in the pick and roll. The ball handler dribbles off the screen, and the screener rolls to the rim or pops out for a shot.
Cross screen
The screener goes across the lane from one block to the other to free a post player. The cutter comes toward the ball-side block, usually for a catch close to the rim. It's a good way to get your best post player the ball.
Setting screens in basketball: how to set a legal screen
Get to the spot before the cutter needs you. Jump stop into a wide base with your feet about shoulder width apart and your knees bent. Cross your arms over your chest or hold them close to your body.
Stay still until the cutter goes by. A moving screen is a foul, and so is leaning, sticking out a hip, or pushing with your arms.
Give the defender room. If you screen someone who is not moving, you can set up right next to them as long as you don't make contact. If the defender is moving, you have to leave them time and distance to stop or change direction, usually one or two steps. From behind (a back screen), you must give a stationary defender a normal step of space.
How to use a screen in basketball
Wait for the screen. The most common mistake is leaving before the screener is set, which either causes a foul or lets the defender slip through. Take a step or two the other way to set up your defender, then go.
Come off shoulder to shoulder with the screener. If there is a gap between you and the screener, the defender can slip through it.
Read your defender. If the defender trails behind you, curl toward the basket. If the defender cheats over the top, pop back out or cut backdoor. If the defender goes under, pop out for a shot.
The screener is often the one who ends up open. After the cutter goes by, the screener should turn to the ball and either slip to the rim or pop out to an open spot.
See also: Pick and roll, 5 out motion offense
Screening drill: 3-on-0 down screen and back screen
- Put a passer at the top, a screener on the right wing, and a cutter on the right block. The screener sets a down screen and the cutter comes up to the wing for a catch and shot. Go five times, then switch sides.
- Now the screener comes back up and sets a back screen for the passer, who cuts to the rim for a pass from the wing. Rotate spots after every rep.
- Add a defender on the cutter only. The cutter reads the defender and chooses to curl, pop, or cut backdoor.
- Add defenders on everyone and play 3-on-3. A basket off a screen counts two points, any other basket counts one.
Coaching point Check the screener's feet on every rep. Both feet should be still and on the floor when the cutter goes by. Have the screener say "set" out loud, and teach the cutter not to move until they hear it.
Common screens in basketball mistakes
- Setting a moving screen by sliding or leaning into the defender as the cutter goes by.
- The cutter leaving early, before the screener has stopped.
- Screening the wrong defender, or setting the screen in the open floor where it doesn't block anyone.
- Cutting too wide off the screen, which leaves a gap for the defender to slip through.
- The screener standing and watching after the screen. They should slip or pop to get open.
- Setting a back screen too close to a stationary defender, which is a foul.
Off-ball screens vs. the pick and roll
Down screens, back screens, flare screens, and cross screens are set away from the ball to free a teammate for a catch. A ball screen is set for the dribbler and starts the pick and roll. Most youth teams learn off-ball screens first because nobody has to dribble while reading the defense.
Screens in basketball FAQ
What are the different types of screens in basketball?
The most common are the down screen, back screen, flare screen, ball screen, and cross screen. Other names you'll hear include the pin down, the UCLA screen, and the stagger screen, which are variations of these.
What is a down screen in basketball?
A screen where the screener moves toward the baseline and screens for a teammate near the block. The teammate comes up off the screen to the wing or top of the key for a catch.
What is a back screen in basketball?
A screen set behind a defender, on the side closest to the basket. The player being screened for cuts toward the rim. It's called a back screen because it's set on the defender's back.
What is a flare screen?
A screen set on a defender's inside shoulder so the offensive player can drift away from the ball toward the wing or corner for a jump shot.
How do you set a legal screen in basketball?
Stop with both feet on the floor, keep your arms close to your body, and stay still until contact. Give a moving defender enough room to stop, and don't lean, push, or stick out a hip.