Ball Screen Defense Drill

Source: How To Run Championship Practices With Ryan Schultz

Diagrams

Diagram 1 - Instructions

Diagram 2 - Instructions

Diagram 3 - Instructions

Diagram 4 - Instructions

Diagram 5 - Instructions

Diagram 6 - Instructions

Diagram 7 - Instructions

Setup

• The drill starts with 5 offensive players and 3 defensive players. The offensive players are positioned on the blocks and wings.
• The defensive players are positioned on the blocks and at the top of the key. Be sure to rotate players through multiple spots.

Instructions

• The drill starts with the 1 passing the ball to the wing. X1 sprints to cover the wing. 1 is then out of the drill.

(Diagram 1)

• On all 3 reps, the offensive wings should allow X1 to get to them before dribbling. If they go before then, the drill won’t simulate a realistic ball screen situation.
• On the first rep, the big is in a drop coverage. X1 forces 3 to use the screen (does not allow them to reject the screen). X1 then chases over the top of the screen. X4 stays back to protect against the roll.
• This coverage protects the paint. It is designed to allow contested mid range pullup jumpers, a low percentage shot.
• After coming off the screen, 3 passes to 2 on the opposite wing.
• X4, as well as 3 and 4, return to their original positions.

(Diagram 2)

(Diagram 3)

• X1 sprints through to cover 2, who holds the ball until X1 arrives.
• On the second rep, the defense executes a flat hedge ball screen coverage. In this coverage, x5 moves laterally with the dribbler.
• As with the first rep, X1 goes over the screen. X5 continues laterally until X1 gets back in front. X1 should communicate to X5 when he can recover to their player.
• It’s important that X5 have high hands to deter a pass to 5 rolling.

(Diagram 4)

(Diagram 5)

• X5 recovers to 5 with high hands. 2 passes the ball to 3. X1 sprints to cover 3.
• For the final rep, the defense traps the ball screen. As 3 comes off the screen, X4 and X1 trap.
• X1 must get over the screen.
• X4 must get perpendicular to half court to cut off 3.
• X5 must move to the ball side as the trap is being set to anticipate the next pass.

(Diagram 6)

(Diagram 7)

• X1 and X4 trap 3. X5 fully rotates to deny the pass to 4.

Coaching Tips

• Make sure the defense dictates where the ball goes. The players guarding the dribbler MUST make them use the screen. They cannot allow the screen to be rejected by the ball handler.
• Stress proper defensive footwork. For all 3 reps, the on ball defender goes over the screen. Players must “get skinny” to present a smaller target for the screener. They must also get their foot over the screen and then sprint to get back in front.
• For the bigs, their footwork is equally important. On the flat hedge, they must be able to move laterally with the dribbler and then backpedal or sprint back to the roll man. On the trap, they must get perpendicular to half court.
• In the trap, players feet should be touching so they don’t get split.
• Communication from the big is essential. The defender guarding the screener must tell the guard what coverage they are in. Coach Schultz uses colors. Whatever terminology you use for ball screen coverage, your big must communicate this.
• Feel free to mix whatever ball screen coverages you use into the drill.
• Have the offensive guards work on their ball screen setups in this drill to develop that habit.
• Consider going live at any point of the drill. You could say the 3rd rep is live or call out ‘live’ at any point. Play would then be 3v3 with the opposite wing out of the play.

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