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INTRODUCTORY TO SCREENS
A screen, also called a "pick" is a legal block set by an
offensive player on the side of or behind a defender in order to
free a teammate to take a shot or receive a pass.
To properly set a screen, do the following:
- Set a good base for yourself by spreading your feet wide and
slightly bend the knees.
- Hold both hands&arms against your body or up so the referee
can see them.
- A good screen is a matter of angles and timing. It can be
set anywhere on the floor. Once you have played the game for a
while, and you know how to screen, you will start to do it
naturally. When you see a teammate is in trouble, you will
automatically go and set a screen for her. It should be set
perpendicular to the direction the defense expects to move.
- Use the hip of the defensive player as your target.
- The moment it's understood that you will set a screen, the
teammate that you are screening for should do his part by
setting up her defensive man properly. This means that she'll
first take him at moderate speed a few steps away from the
screen. This relaxes the defender, somewhat. Then, boom! Your
teammate will use a change of pace and change of direction and
run, or dribble, quickly, close off your shoulder.
It's important that your teammate comes close to you on the
screen. If she makes the mistake of going a step or two away
from you, the screen will lose most of its effectiveness,
especially when a good defensive man is guarding him. A foot of
space is all that's needed for the defense to slide in between
you and your teammate and pick her up again.
- After you set a screen, make a 180-degree turn and look to
receive a possible pass. You will be surprised to find how many
times you are free after setting a screen.
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