Basketball Plays

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Pick & Roll
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Showing 1 to 15 of 15 Plays
1

Simple Spread Pick & Roll

James Chang 24 December 2024

This is an incredibly simple spread Pick & Roll yet highly effective because it simplifies the offense to a single read.

4 Out
Ball Screen
Off-Ball Screen
Pick & Roll

Pick & Roll Against Switch Defense

James Chang 24 December 2024

Switch defense is arguably the most overused strategy at the professional level, as it effectively counters offenses that rely on multiple screens within their flow. The main drawback of switching is that it often creates mismatches, but at lower levels, few players are skilled enough to fully exploit these opportunities. At higher levels, teams mitigate this risk by deploying lineups with versatile defenders who can guard multiple positions, effectively neutralizing potential mismatches. While attacking mismatches remains a common and viable option against Switch defense, there are also other effective strategies to counter it.

Pick & Roll

Pick & Roll Against Blitz Defense

James Chang 24 December 2024

Blitz defense occurs when the on-ball defender and the screener’s defender immediately trap the ball handler during the screen action. The goal is to catch the ball handler off-guard and force turnovers. However, if the ball handler is prepared and knows how to counter Blitz defense, it can be easier to exploit than Hedge defense. This is because defenders are often less controlled and more aggressive when jumping out to execute the trap, creating opportunities for the offense to capitalize.

Pick & Roll

Pick & Roll Against Hedge Defense

Andreas Rauh 24 December 2024

Hedge defense has long been a cornerstone of screen coverage, especially against offenses that lack strong floor spacing and shooting. By applying immediate pressure on the ball handler, Hedge forces them to either give up the ball early or struggle to initiate the offense effectively, disrupting the flow of the opposing team’s attack.

Pick & Roll

Pick & Roll Against Weak Defense

Andreas Rauh 24 December 2024

The goal of Weak defense is straightforward: to force the ball handler toward their weaker hand. Since the majority of players are right-handed, Weak defense typically means "forcing them left." To avoid confusion, many coaches simplify this by defining Weak as "left" and Strong as "right". Weak Defense is almost always paired with Ice coverage being used for side screen actions.

Pick & Roll

Pick & Roll Against Ice Defense

Andreas Rauh 24 December 2024

Ice defense, also referred to as blue, down, or push, is designed to force the ball handler toward the sideline. Many teams prefer to set screens that allow the ball handler to attack the middle of the court, where more scoring opportunities typically arise. Ice defense counters this philosophy by having the on-ball defender jump toward the screen, leaving the ball handler with no choice but to reject it and drive toward the sideline.

Pick & Roll

Pick & Roll Against High Drop Defense

Andreas Rauh 23 December 2024

As teams began countering the Low Drop with a High Screen, a new defensive strategy emerged—the High Drop. This coverage addresses the spacing weaknesses of the Low Drop while continuing to protect the highest-percentage shot in basketball, the layup, through the "no man behind" defensive philosophy. Additionally, it still encourages the most inefficient shot in basketball: the long two-pointer. However, like any defensive scheme, the High Drop is not without its vulnerabilities. There are effective ways to exploit this coverage and turn it into an advantage for the offense.

Pick & Roll

Pick & Roll Offense Against Low Drop Defense

Andreas Rauh 23 December 2024

In a Low Drop coverage, the screener’s defender drops deep into the middle of the paint to prioritize protecting the rim and contesting the highest-percentage shot in basketball—the layup—while deliberately allowing the least efficient shot: the long two-pointer. This strategy also offers additional benefits. It adheres to the defensive philosophy of "no man behind," enabling two defenders to handle the pick-and-roll without needing help from a tag man or a low man, thus keeping the rest of the defense intact.

Pick & Roll

Perfect Angle for Setting a Pick

Andreas Rauh 23 December 2024

Many coaches teach players to set screens at a 45-degree angle, with their back facing the corner of the court. While this advice is generally effective for on-ball screens, it often fails to explain why the 45-degree angle works so well.

Pick & Roll

Pick & Roll Passing Drill

Andreas Rauh 23 December 2024

This drill teaches 3 different passing options in a basic pick & roll. All the fundamental principles of 'Separation and Brush' apply here. Instead of finishing at the rim after using the screen, the ball handler will pass to the roll man to complete the play. Following the pass, the ball handler will backpedal to the three-point line for a catch-and-shoot opportunity.

Drill
Pick & Roll

Horns - Twist

Andreas Rauh 04 December 2024

This play starts with the ball handler drawing their defender into an initial ball screen, then quickly pivoting to receive a second screen from the opposite side. It’s tough to defend because the defense must navigate two screens in rapid succession.

Horns
Pick & Roll

Horns - Base

Andreas Rauh 03 December 2024

The foundational concept of the horns offense emphasizes floor spacing, creating an ideal setup for a traditional pick-and-roll action with a backdoor cutting option toward the basket. Corner wings play a critical role by maintaining proper spacing to stretch the defense. If the wing defenders collapse to help, the wings must be prepared to capitalize on a kick-out for a high-percentage three-point opportunity.

Horns
Pick & Roll

Princeton Point - Over

Andreas Rauh 29 August 2023

Princeton Point - Over is one of the basic actions of the Princeton Point Series.

Off-Ball Screen
Pick & Roll
Princeton

5 Out Princeton Point

Andreas Rauh 29 August 2023

This is an adaptation of principles from the Princeton Point Offense into 5-Out Offense

5 Out
Off-Ball Screen
Pick & Roll
Princeton

Mavs | Luka & Powell Off-Ball Screen into P&R

Andreas Rauh 29 August 2023

The Mavs run this play in different variations. Powell off-ball screens for Luka to get the ball and immediately turns around and sets another screen for a pick&roll attack on the rim.

Pick & Roll
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