Ball Screen

In this article we analyze the Ball Screen. What it is, how many types of ball screens exists and the options you can play.

Introduction

In this article, monograph on the Ball screen, we will detail the following aspects:

Definition: What is a Ball screen?

‘Action carried out by two attacking players in which a player without the ball is placed by way of an obstacle to the player with the ball takes your defender to him and he was able to take advantage of delaying the defender, the Player with the ball (JCB), either to keep throwing away, pass, or shoot.’ (Cedric Arregui).

Description and overview of the fundamental’s collective Ball screen

The Direct Blocking is an action carried out two attacking players: a player with the ball (JCB) and a Player without the Ball (JSB), call taker lock and blocker, respectively. It is a technical rationale collective, the success of the action will depend on what you both attacking players made after observing the way that defenders of resolving the issue raised by the attackers.

In general, the policy-holder of the lock direct will be an exterior (base/escort -perhaps eaves) and the blocker will be an interior (center or wing-pivot).

The policy holder block (JCB) will bounce to the location where the blocker (JSB) that will be offered to hinder and delay the progression of the defender to the attacker with the ball.

Depending of how to defend the computer opponent Blocking Direct (BD), the attackers will have to read the reaction of the defenders, choose and carry out the actions that will best obstruct the way of defending the BD chosen by the defense.

Contrary to what is usually thought, the Ball screen produce 2 attackers and not only is defended only by their respective defenders. The other 3 defenders will have to be aware of the possible aid. In total, always amongst the five defenders on the track.


In this article, monograph of the Ball screen , we will explore the different Locks Direct, the different ways of defending those types of Locks Direct and possible options of continuing to attack after Blocking Direct, in function of the defense chosen.

There are two ways to put the Direct Blockage that can be classified by:

  • The individual: the most common, the attacking player without the ball will go to block the defender of his teammate with the ball. It will stop with enough time to avoid being punished with a lack in attack (see Article 33 – Contact Principle: General, point 33.7 Screens of the Rules of FIBA).
  • The space: more and more common in the case of the attack against area. In this case, the need to guide and set the defender, the Player with the ball will be more obvious, since the defender will be defending a space (see article zone Defense – Defense space or defense of spaces).

Thus, the Ball Screens are Direct employees against both man to man defense as the zone Defense and its location will determine the possible ways of defending it and the possible ways of attack in function of the response given by the defenders.

Position classical Blocker in the Ball Screen

In the position, classic, the blocker puts the arms down, a hand covering the other. In this way, it is ensured to be in your cylinder (position most commonly used on players players.

Position in cross-Blocker in the Ball screen

In the position on the cross, the block crosses the arms (with the back of his hands out and closed hands). This better protects your chest of receiving any impact. Most used by players to players.

Position stout Blocker in the Ball screen

In the position voluminous, the block performs the lock occupying the most of your cylinder. The hands covering the elbow of the arm to the contrary in such a way that the forearms are a few palms separated from the trunk, absorbing the impact of the defender blocked at the same time protecting the chest and the parties ‘noble’.

Types of Ball screen: Provisions common

We can distinguish several locations classical Ball screen:

  • Beyond the line of 3 points (green circle)
  • Header (yellow circle)
  • 45 ° /Wing/Side (blue or pink), to output of the policyholder by the centre (rare for the side).
  • Blind, more common among free-kick and a header (orange circle).
  • Double Lock Direct Central (the ‘horns’ of all life –‘Horns’ in English).

Difference between Pick and Roll and Pick and Pop

It is also used a lot of the English term ‘Pick’ to refer to the Direct Blockage followed by another action of the blocker.

  • Pick And Roll (P&R): Lock and then (to the basket blocker).
  • Pick And Pop (P&P): Blocking and opening (to the outside of the blocker).

Thus, the main difference between the Pick and Roll and Pick and Pop is that in the first, the block continues into the hoop and in the second the lock opens out to shoot or to continue distributing game.


Note: What may be the cause that there are people who do not differentiate between the one and the other? The answer is that the coaches use more Spanish. Sometimes gives the impression that the (ab-)use of anglicisms serves more to give of cool or look more like the coach of an elite that has on his team, more than half of their players from beyond national borders.
Let’s face it, using the castilian to your players speaking Spanish is infinitely more likely that the message will reach them best. The fact that they also are aware of its translation into English will be a more detail, but as jobs, because they do not put anglicisms to appoint or to call attention on everything you want to highlight. Is a non-sense, uh, I say nonsense.

Basic concepts of Direct Blocking

Each time a team makes a play, or system that includes a Direct Blocking, always have in mind the various aspects of vital importance in the realization of this technical rationale collective:

Angles of the Ball Screen

Angle: This will determine how you will place the block with respect to the advocate of the policy-holder of the lock. Being able to be 45°, 90 ° or 180°:

  • In red lines, direct blocking at a 45º angle and continuation of the policy-holder of the lock is straight to bottom line. Also known as Block diagonal.
  • In blue lines, blocking a direct 90-degree angle and continuation of the policy-holder of the lock to the wing. Also known as a Lock in the horizontal.
  • In black lines, direct blocking at an angle of 180 degrees, also known as a Blind pick. (Note: in this type of blocking the blocker must maintain a distance between each two steps of the defender of JCB position that is outside the field of view of the defender).

Screen and Direct Continuation of the screener (Pick and Roll)

Direct blocking and Below (Pick and Roll): it will be the way in which the blocker to continue into the hoop.
It is able to perform:

  • in green line, then with a twist front, being faster but losing sight of for a fraction of a second to the maker of the Lock (Player with the Ball).
  • in green line, then with a twist dorsal, being the twist with the highest amplitude, without losing sight of his companion taker of the blockade, and by the way, hindering/winning position in the event that the defender of the JCB pass through the middle or pass to third parties.

Ball screen and Opening of the blocker (Pick and Pop)

Direct blocking and Opening (Pick and Pop): the lock is opened, keeping the distance with respect to the ring (and even away), to provide better pass line and away to make it difficult to aid on the part of the advocates of the Direct Blocking (those involved in first and second instance). It is a movement increasingly common and frequent that often make players interiors, which are getting faster and have a better percentage of success on a roll of 3 points.

Direct Blocking-Blind Blind / PIG

lock, direct, blind, basketball

The blocker comes up and puts a Lock Live in the location that is more than a step away (and less than two) of the defender of the JCB.

In case of non-respect of the step of distance, although the block is stopped, you will be deemed missing in attack, because that BD does not enter the field of view of the defender of the policy-holder of the lock (see section 33.7 Screen: legal and illegal of Article 33 Contact: General Principles)

Option Reblock

lock, direct, relock, basketball

When the advocate of the policy-holder of the Lock Direct (BD) manages to dodge the BD, either in anticipation of, or passing between the block and its companion, you can perform another BD followed.
The blocker will change the orientation of the BD they getting on the foot closest to the basket to the couple that performs a frontal gyrus (can be done with turn back, but it is less frequent, it is not as fast and also away from the hoop).

Double Central Ball Screen
‘Horns’

lock, direct, basketball, horns

Arrangement of players interiors that are placed on the side of the header area. The taker of the Direct Blockage will have to choose which side to take it.
In the case of used in the Attack zone (against areas torque: 2-3, 2-1-2), two Blocks Direct are performed on the defenders placed in the ‘top’ of the area.

Learning objectives

icon, ok
  • Objectives for the policy holder Blocking Direct:
  1. Read position of the defender.
    1. Defensive position.
    2. Offset ft.
    3. Activity of hands.
    4. Default orientation.
  2. Meter/driving/set the defender to the location where it will produce the Locking Direct.
  3. Observe the defensive reactions, both of the ombudsman as advocate blocker to be able to make the decision more efficient to take advantage of the Direct Blocking.
  • Objectives for the Blocker
  1. Measure speed of displacement of the defender of the policy-holder of the lock.
  2. Anticipate location that will produce the Locking Direct.
  3. Stop with plenty of time for that when you make a Direct Blockage to be in your cylinder offensive and be within the law, to not be punished with a lack in attack.
  4. Observe the defensive reactions, both of the ombudsman as advocate of the policy-holder of the Lock Direct to be able to make the decision more efficient to take advantage of the Direct Blocking.

Most common errors

icon, fail, error
  • Most common mistakes of the policy-holder of the Lock Direct
  1. It does not read the position of the defender.
  2. Not takes your defender to the Direct Blocking
  3. Take the Direct Blocking but does not read the defensive reactions. It does not react (and if it does, what does late, having lost the advantage produced) and is found again with the situation of opposition from his defender (the clock of possession is still running…).
  • Most common errors Blocker
  1. It does not measure the speed of the displacement of the defender of the policy-holder of the lock
  2. Does not anticipate the location in which it will Direct Blockage.
  3. Arriving late and/or not be stopped prior to contact with the defender of the policy-holder of the locking direct. Is punished with a lack in attack.
  4. You do not see the defensive reactions (so that can’t decide) and gives continuity to the Direct Blocking. Lost time and does not help in the final resolution of the Locking Direct.

The most important details of the Direct Blocking

  • Before the Direct Blocking:
    • Set the defenders:
    • Blocker calculating trajectory, speed, and location of the Locking Direct.
    • Taker Lock: holding pot, fixing and carrying his couple to the Direct Blocking.
  • During the Direct Blocking:
    • Pass shoulder to shoulder to prevent the defender of the policyholder of the direct blockage continue his defence of JCB as if it had never existed in the Direct Blocking.
  • After Blocking Direct:
    • Read the defensive reaction that produces the Block Live. Observe where the advocate of the policy-holder of the Lock and Direct in what manner the defender blocker helps to defend that advantage.
    • Take advantage of the space gained (the’Beat ‘ Clean’) to make a shot or the next action without opposition. The defender was left behind by the alteration in your path of travel either by the slowing or blocking of the Direct Blocking.

Note: we are too much accustomed to think that in order to have created an advantage by playing a Direct Blocking, the defender of the policyholder of the Direct Blockage must have been ‘hooked’ with the blocker. However, it is not always the ideal situation. The Direct Blocking is not always intended that the advocate of the policy-holder of the lock is ‘hooked’ to the blocker. The purpose of Locking is to get a sufficient advantage that will result in half a meter (or just to leave behind the defender of JCB) and a few fractions of a second. We need to teach players to read the game and make effective decisions in a matter of fractions of a second.

How to defend a Direct Blocking

There is a huge variety of defensive responses to the foundation for the Locking Direct. Each one of them will be determined by the characteristics of the defending players (which will be paired with taker and blocker), style of play of the defending team and location in which the Crash occurs Direct.Below we will examine the various ways to defend the Direct Blocking:

  1. Defense of the Direct Blocking chasing (from 1st or 2nd-deny or pursue respectively)
  2. Defense of the Direct Blocking passing through the medium (from 3rd)
  3. Defense of the Direct Blocking passing through the medium (from 4th)
  4. Defense of the Direct Blocking with Feint and Recovery (‘Show/Flash’)
  5. Defense of the Direct Blockage pushing (‘Push’).
  6. Defense of the Direct Blocking with ‘Flat’ (Green)
  7. Defense of the Blocking Direct to exchange (‘Switch’), the eye with single mismatches (‘Mismatch’)
  8. Defense of the Direct Blocking with 2×1 defensive
  9. Defense directed the Direct Blocking side
defense, blocking, live, basketball

Pass the Lock Directly to the top, through the middle or down (1st-2nd, 3rd and 4th)

We started by these options as we want from the possible trajectories that has the defender of the policy-holder of the lock passing. The defender of the blocker will defend in line to what he does. Is determining at the time of linking the complementary actions:

  • Red line (going from 1/deny it and pass 2nd/up/chasing): used against makers of BD specialists shot of long and medium distance.
  • Blue line (pass of the 3rd/by the medium): used in a conservative way, when there is no evidence that the taker of the BD is a good shooter, or good penetrator.
  • Green line (pass 4th/under-combinable with ‘push’): used when it is known that the policy-holder of the lock is better penetrator shooter.

Defense ‘Show/Flash’ Lock Direct

defense, blocking, live, basketball, show, flash

In this option defensively, the defender of the blocker goes out to stop momentarily the progression of the policyholder of the Locking Direct. After this, on the way to recover their defensive position, is aware of a possible move to the next.

How much slower is the blocker and/or less-than the distance to recover by the ombudsman, the more effective it will be.

Note: in this option, it is recommended that the proponent of the policy-holder to recover its brand chasing and not hinder the recovery of the defender of the blocker.

Defense ‘Push’ Lock Direct

defense, blocking, live, basketball, push

The defender blocker push (not excessively so as not to be punished with a lack of) to the blocker. It has two purposes:

  • disrupt the progression of the JCB (you’ll have to dodge or absorb the contact with your partner blocker), and,
  • leave space for his teammate defender of the JCB can go below and get your pair.

Note: it is usual to see more of this defense in the indirect picks for the simple reason that calls less attention of the arbitrators, and it is more difficult to be punished with a lack in defense.

Defense ‘Flat’ Lock Direct

defense, blocking, live, basketball, flat

In this defense, the ‘prominence’ is the defender of the sunscreen will stay away from the blocker with two intentions:

  • yield recovery space for his fellow defender of the JCB, and,
  • wait back and making feints defensive to create uncertainty as to the JCB, which may hesitate between throw or pass to the continuation of the blocker.

Can be adjusted in function of a scale (0, 1, and 2) that determines the separation of the ombudsman with respect to the blocker (with 0 being the nearest and 2 the more distant).

Defense ‘Change’ of the Direct Blocking

defense, blocking, live, basketball, change

In this resource defence, the defender of the policy-holder of the lock direct swap your marking the defender of the blocker. It is very feasible when:

  • the defender of the policy-holder of the lock has a weight and/or height that resembles the pop-up blocker,
  • the defender of the blocker is agile and can defend either the 1×1 distances perimeter,
  • combination of the previous two.

Note: This option is used, both in the Locks Direct as in the Locks Direct when it comes to played in a band and background, and, above all, in special situations end of the party with marker set

Defense ‘2×1’ Lock Direct

defense, blocking, live, basketball, 2x1

Probably the most aggressive form of defending the Locking Direct. The defender of the JCB recovers and the defender of the blocker goes out to meet the JCB to stop him in his tracks.

The defender of the blocker you can make this choice as long as the other defenders are not involved in the Direct Blocking pending the continuation of the blocker in order to receive. The key to the 2×1 is to prevent the taker of the lock (the JCB) able to give the pass to the following.

Defense directed the Direct Blocking side

defense, blocking, live, basketball, 2x1

Next to the Defense 2×1, defense directed the Direct Blocking side anticipates the implementation of the BD and put in place the 2×1 before the policy-holder of the lock can approach the blocker.

How to use the Direct Blocking: Examples from the base of the 2×2

Explanatory video about several tactical possibilities offered by the Ball Screen, with explanation of Red Auerbach with Larry Bird as the maker of the Lock and Kevin McHale as a blocker (defended by Danny Ainge and Robert Parish respectively).

Defense change: Attack of the change (‘Mismatch’)

defense, blocking, live, basketball, mismatch

It takes advantage of the disadvantage in the clockings punishing of two ways:

  • Outdoor play 1×1 against defending big.
  • The Exterior gets the ball inside to inside play 1×1 against defending small.

Defender taker avoids BS: Blocker posts

defense, blocking, live, basketball, low post

Don’t take advantage, it seeks to play with the ball to the Low Post for 1×1 or for close defense, and redistribute/invest.

Defense does not respond to the BS: Taker strip basket

defense, blocking, live, basketball, shooting

If the Defender stays pinched and defender of the blocker does not come out, then you get the advantage of space-time to kick released.

Defender of borrower anticipates: taker refuses to play BS and penetrates

defense, blocking, live, basketball, 1x1

If the Defender of the policy-holder is expected to move above the Lock Directly, then pinch the lock to play with feinting to the BD and refuse to take advantage of BD.

Break the block: Blocker feint BS and changes of pace to continue into the hoop

defense, blocking, live, basketball, feint

This option is also known with the term of ‘Slip’. The Blocker feint the lock and continues almost followed in order to receive a pass to her then.

Take BS without advantage, taker passes and blocker will block and short to receive

defense, blocking, live, basketball, pass, short

Block the blocker. Option uncommon and very effective since the big interior are not accustomed to defend your couple as if it were a policy-holder lock, there are so quick and also because they look surprised.

How to attack every defense of the Ball Screen

  • Attack against Defence of the Direct Blocking chasing (from 1):
    • To call the attention of the defender of the blocker, schedule, and be aware then of the blocker that is free or that it will be defended by the pair’s defense policy-holder of the Locking Direct.
  • Attack against Defence of the Direct Blocking passing through the medium (from 3rd):
    • Play a Relock.
    • Pass blocker, go to block, and cut it into the hoop (very important to do the following with twist dorsal to win the position and to generate space.
  • Attack against Defence of the Direct Blocking passing of a second (White):
    • Play a Relock.
  • Attack against Defence of the Direct Blocking with Feint and Recovery (‘Show/Flash’):
    • Lengthen the recovery of the defender. This basically depends on the speed of boot up blocker. In addition, the policy-holder of the lock you will have to calculate trajectory and reception area for the pop-up blocker you receive it.
  • Attack against Defence of the Direct Blocking with 2×1 defensive (‘Trap’):
    • Get direct pass to the continuation of the blocker (will depend on the passing ability of the policyholder to the Direct Blocking.
    • Triangular in 2 passes to get the ball to the continuation of the blocker.
    • Play a ‘split’. Action of the policy-holder of the lock of maximum difficulty consists in breaking the 2×1 haggling and going in between the two defenders.
  • Attack against Defence of the Blocking Direct to exchange (‘Switch’), the eye with single mismatches (‘Mismatch’):
    • Play 1×1 against the defender of the blocker. If the defender is floating, it can also be punish with a shot.
    • If the interior is able to stop the taker of the Direct Blocking, the block will be able to go to post. We will seek to take advantage of this new pairing.
  • Attack against Defence of the Direct Blockage pushing (‘the Push’-from 4th or passing last):
    • Punish shot with a medium-long distance.
  • Attack against Defence of the Direct Blocking side led:
    • Search pass blocker.
    • In case you do not get a pass line clear, triangular to get the ball to the continuation of the blocker.
  • Attack to the defense Defense of the Direct Blocking with flat (Green):
    • Take advantage of below blocker to play a 2×1 (taker and a sunscreen continue and play against the defender of the blocker was left, floating).
    • Punish the flotation of the defender of the Direct Blocking by making a shot from a long/middle distance.
    • Use pot of protection (while still facing the ring) to keep the defender back and win back time to be able to decide or release lines pass (Note: Luka Doncic is a clear example of how to do this).

Playing Ball screen in 5×5: The Direct Blocking defend other 3 players and continue to attack other 3 attackers.

As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, the Direct Blocking is played in a situation of 5×5. When you run a Direct Blocking is a problem that results in a series of mismatches on defense. It is for this reason that we must be attentive to possible aid or rotations defensive of the other 3 players that are not involved in the BD.

Most of the time the attackers have two options:

  • Decide whether to play up the ring, or,
  • Get the ball to the attacking player released.

Note: there is a third option, used by Lula Doncic which consists in slowing the progression towards the ring by making a mini-pause and read the defensive reactions (all this doing pot of protection while retaining your couple that haunts him while still facing the ring).

Then leave you a video of Bballimmersion (here his Twitter account and here is his Youtube channel) about what options you have the blocker when Luka Doncic is the maker of the Locking Direct.

Whether making aid as if rotations defensive, the attackers are not involved in the Direct Blockage will have to play without the ball moving to occupy spaces away to lengthen the distance to retrieve later by the defenders (the greater the distance, the greater time to keep and take advantage created).

defense, blocking, live, basketball, rest

Then, the defensive options of the advocates are not involved in the Direct Blocking:

  • ‘Next’ or ‘Jump to the ball’ or ‘Jumper’: the defender with displacement in red will’jump’ to stop the taker of the Direct Blocking (movement with the red line). In this diagram, defender 4 you will need to ‘control’ the attackers 2 and 4.
  • ‘Bump’ is the ‘Body Check’ outside: in the Past, the players interiors ‘charged toll’ to all the player who cut through the area. The ‘Bump’ has the same concept, only that it not be called the same, it seems that it is different. In this case, the defender 3 performs a ‘Bump’ (scroll with blue line) on continuation of the attacking player 5.
  • ‘Last’ or Last: Advocate further away from the Direct Blocking approach towards the ring (scroll with pink line) to end of help in case of possible progression of the attackers after playing the Locking Direct. Like the player that makes the ‘Bump’, will continue to have responsibility divided with his couple (that is resasignará after void the offensive advantage).
  • Finally, there is the possibility of rotations defensive. These rotations defensive you can narrow by number of players involved, being able to sort them by players from the output side of the Direct Blocking, players on the other side. We can make patterns depending on the output side, and how many players are on that side. In this example, all of the defenders rotate (displacement with green lines), except of the defender of the blocker.

Proposal of Progression methodology of teaching of Ball Screen

We begin by teaching the foundation with wheels 2×0 or exercises without opposition, with a rhythm of execution and being attentive to the moment of building the Direct Blocking, you take it and continue it (Wheel Locks Direct and Wheel Lock 4 Corners).
We would spend the 2×1, with a defender on the policy holder block (JCB). A form of initiation is organizing the Direct Blocking up blocker from the Low Post (if the BD is blind, be mindful of the distance to the defender of the JCB. Then spend the 2×2, and may play a 2×2 – 4 corners front (including variants lateral and cross) or organizing it in a 2×2 continuous (either in midfield or on the court as a whole). Instead of working all the defensive responses of stroke, we can present a 2-on-2. Then include 3. To serve, first will be the coach who will tell with time, the form of defending the BD to the defenders (very important that the stimulus is visual or that you are notified in advance so that the attackers have to decide depending on what do the advocates).Finally, what would incorporate to situations of 3×3, 4×4 and 5×5.
Then we attach the two clinics, two teachers, and peers, Jota Cuspinera in the XIVªs Technical Seminars for coaches (organized by the C. B. Zone Press) and Juan Fandiño in the III Clinic of Easter 2012 (organized by the Basketball Federation of Madrid).

Clinic of Jota Cuspinera to the XII technical Seminars for coaches of the C.B. Zona Press.

Summer Clinic Juan Fandiño
(organized by the Basketball Federation of Madrid).

Final considerations

By way of conclusion, to collect the ideas that summarize the rationale:

  • Great resource tactical, which offers numerous possibilities (it is almost impossible to see a professional team that did not play).
  • Although in the beginning the action is focused in a 2×2, then they all have to read and decide on actions that will arise in the wake of his execution. It is a situation of 5×5.
  • Categories of big basket (especially in cadet and later) should work. You can do an initiation in category child to learn how to start to defend them.

The Ball screen has a ‘little cousin’ in minibasket: the pass in hand (handoff). The similarity is that both are difficult to defend and involve an action of two attacking players in an area that round is just 4 meters (2m x 2m). While it is true that you could teach it once before,  we discourage the teaching of the Direct Blockage in mini-basket since that would weaken the game 1×1 creating too much dependency to come a companion to ‘remove’ the defender of the JCB.
There is a debate about what to teach before (and in that order): do Pass in hand? Do you lock indirect? What Block You Live?
Personally, I would put a quarter basis in the first term, very own mini-basket: the crossing of the attackers without the ball.
Finally, the point that is probably the basis of collective more colorful. It is quite common that players have already seen, and ask you to learn it.
Let us not disregard the 1×1 or the game without the ball, because if both are working well then the teaching of the Direct Blocking will be much more effective. Let’s build from the base of the game.
We leave a video of the VII hospital Clínic, Christmas 2016, of Jota Cuspinera entitled ‘From hand to hand, Blocking Direct’ (organized by the Basketball Federation of Madrid.https://www.youtube.com/embed/BXYUr6nUnV8

Cedric Arregui Guivarch
Entrenador Nacional de Baloncesto (CES 2014)

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