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During the last few weeks we have had several basketball players and coaches email us asking about scoring in the half court. Coaches are asking if there is anything they can do to make their offense run more smoothly while players are curious about how they can score more points. The answer to both of these questions relies in down screens.
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1 How to Read Down Screens-HoopSkills.com
How to Read Down Screens
-by Coach Dave Stricklin http://www.hoopskills.com
During the last few weeks we have had several players and coaches email us
asking about scoring in the half court. Coaches are asking if there is anything they
can do to make their offense run more smoothly while players are curious about
how they can score more points. The answer to both of these questions relies in
down screens.
Today, down screens are making a huge resurgence and are once again becoming
a staple in many teams' half-court offense. Coaches like them because they take
away the overplay, help players get open, and allows to basketball to be reversed
easier. On the other hand, if players can learn how to read these screens
correctly, they could see their scoring averages possibly before the end of next
season! Today we are going to talk about the 4 reads that players need to make when receiving a down screen as well as how to drill down screens in practice.
Catch and Shoot
All screens are set in order to get players open. Whether this opening is to reverse
the ball or to create a shot depends on the defense. In an ideal situation, the
defender guarding the player receiving the screen gets hung up long enough to
leave the offensive player open on the perimeter. When this happens, players
should come off the screen looking to catch and shoot the basketball
immediately.
2 How to Read Down Screens-HoopSkills.com
Curling the Screen
Before coming off a down screen players can do two things to increase their
chances to score. First, players need to set their man up for the screen. To do this
take two steps away from the screen before coming off of it shoulder to shoulder.
Second, players need to read how their defender is guarding them. If the
defender is on the outside hip this tells the offensive player to curl the screen.
When curling the screen, the cut should be as tight as possible ensuring the
defender can't squeeze through. At the same time the cutter needs to have his
hands in order to help make the shot quicker!
3 How to Read Down Screens-HoopSkills.com
Bodying up the Screener
A read that players don't usually make often enough is rejecting or back dooring
the screen. As soon as the offensive player notices the defender trying to body up
the screener and be the aggressor, he should reject the screen and go back door.
This works because the defender will get caught up on the screen which will make
him a half step slower in reacting to the cut. Another thing you can do in this
situation to improve your chances of scoring is to give the passer a target hand.
4 How to Read Down Screens-HoopSkills.com
Flare the Screen
The last read I want to talk about is flaring the screen. Generally this occurs when
the down screen is set on the weak side of the court. If a defender is playing "help
side" defense he will usually try to beat the offensive player to his intended spot.
If the offense sees the defender going over the screen, he should flare to the
corner. This will create space between the receiver and his defender which might
lead to an open shot attempt.
5 How to Read Down Screens-HoopSkills.com
How to Practice Down Screens
Like everything else skill related, the secret to mastering down screens is practice!
The more your players can practice reading their defender the better they will
become at this crucial skill. The best way to give players time to practice is to run
a controlled drill in practice. Have players split into groups each containing a guard
and post. Instruct two groups to step out on the court - one on defense and one
on offense. The ball starts with the post players on the wing. After passing the ball
to the coach at the top of the key, the posts will then set a down screen for their partner. This drill can and should be run at several baskets at the same time.
When first implementing this drill, tell your defensive players how you want them
to guard the down screen. This will make it easier for your offensive players to
read the screen until they perfect the skill. If you spend as little as 15 minutes a
week, spread out over several practices, you will soon see your players and your offense becoming much more efficient.
