Reading Screens Ideas

Reading Screens Ideas

1. Great perimeter players use screens to their advantage. Some players can’t get a shot off of the dribble, but are extremely hard to guard because they are active and know how to use screens to get open shots. We try to teach our players how to use screens to their advantage.

2. In general, we teach our player’s to react to what the defense is giving us. For example, if a down screen is set and the defender chases us, we will automatically curl. Conversely, if the defender goes ball-side to cheat the screen, we teach our player’s to fade.

3. We want our player’s to Wait, Read the Defense and then use a Change of Pace to make the appropriate cut. We want to use deception in our game, but once we commit to a cut, we must be explosive to beat the defense. There can be no separation between screener and cutter to allow the defense through. The cutter must put their shoulder on the screener’s hip. Before receiving the pass, the cutter must show hand targets.

4. The four types of cuts off of a basic down screen are—Straight, Curl, Fade and Back

5. Most players can only do 1 or 2 cuts successfully. Only the most complete multi-dimensional players can successfully use all 4 cuts to put themselves in a position to score.