A good screen helps a teammate get free. A bad one can bring another defender into the play.
The Wolfpack idea
Screen with purpose
Free a teammate, open a cut, or make defenders decide. A planned ball screen can help; if your teammate already has a clear path to the basket, move to open space and keep that lane clear.
- Create space.
- Set your feet.
- Let them use it.
- Move again.
Make it a real screen
Get into position and be stationary before contact. Keep both feet on the floor. Don't lean, shove, or slide into the defender. Give a moving defender room to avoid you. Your teammate should cut or dribble close enough to use the screen.
Then move again: roll toward an open basket, pop into open space, or relocate for the next pass. Don't stand and admire your work.
Read the defense
If defenders switch, look for open space. If one trails your teammate, that teammate may be free. If a defender overplays, a backdoor cut may open. Read the play before deciding whether a screen helps at all.