Basketball Screen Drills

Setting screens in basketball is something that every player needs to learn how to do, Not only does a player need to learn how to actually set the screen, but the player also needs to know when and where to set the screens. A team’s ability to set screens can and often does make the difference between a very good and a bad offense. In order to ensure a good offense, basketball screen drills should be taught and practiced.

A screen in basketball is when a player on offense tries to block a defender covering another player on offense. The screen is usually used to free-up the player dibbling the ball or to free-up another player so that the ball can be passed to him/her.

Before actually asking players to perform basketball screen drills, players need to properly learn how to set a screen. The keys to setting a good screen hinge on the screening player having the proper stance, and the screener standing at the proper angle.

Anytime a player sets a screen he/she has to concentrate on being compact and strong. Since the key to setting a good screen is making contact with the defender, the screener must make sure he/she is prepared to take the impact of the collision with the defender. To do this the screener should be standing solidly with his/her feet shoulder-length apart and planted firmly onto the floor. This will get the screener ready to absorb the contact from the defender.

The screener also needs to tuck his/her arms solidly against his body. The screening player should actually grasp the wrist of his/her hand with the other hand. Both hands should be covering the groin. By keeping the arms and hands this way the player will be properly protected and will not commit a foul. (If the screener extends his/her arms to stop the defender then a foul should be called).

The screener also must make sure he/she sets the screen at the proper angle. The screener needs to know where the offensive player whose defender he/she wants to pick is going and then set the screen so that his/her body is square. In other words, the screener wants his/her body as wide as possible to set the screen.

While it’s important to set the screen properly, it’s also important for the other offensive player to use the screen correctly. The offensive player wants to run his defender into the screen so that the defender can’t slip by and stay with him.

Once the players know how to set screens then they can begin practicing basketball screen drills. These basketball screen drills should be practiced often. Some of the drills should include the screener rolling off the pick and going to the basket for a possible pick and roll.

A team’s ability to successfully set screens on offense can make a big difference for how effective the offense is. That’s why it’s important for players to know how to set screens and then to practice setting screens by performing basketball screen drills.