#1 MOVE WITHOUT THE BALL?

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:

  1. Set a good base for yourself by spreading your feet wide and slightly bend the knees.
     
  2. Hold both hands&arms against your body or up so the referee can see them.
     
  3. 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.
     
  4. Use the hip of the defensive player as your target.
     
  5. 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.
     

  6. 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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