What is ball screen defense in basketball
Ball screen defense in basketball is comprised of tactics that seek to mitigate or totally eliminate the effects of the on-ball screen that would be implemented by an offensive team, ultimately to disrupt scoring opportunities near the basket or near the perimeter areas of the court.
What are the different types of ball screen defense tactics
Over
A basic tactic that an on-ball defender could use to limit the effectiveness of an on-ball screen, also referred to as simply a ball screen, is by going over the top of it.
Also, by going over the top of the screen, the on-ball defender would generally be able to keep as much defensive pressure as possible on the offensive player in possession of the ball, who would be the recipient of the ball screen.
Furthermore, if the offensive player in control of the ball has the capability to score points, particularly via mid-range or three-point jump shots, then going over the top of the ball screen could be a good way to limit those potential scoring options.
Nevertheless, one particular detail that is important to consider as it relates to going over the top of a ball screen is that the on-ball defender has to be aware of it before the screen is fully set.
To determine where the screener is prior to setting the ball screen, the on-ball defender could use their peripheral vision to gain a sense of their surroundings.
However, it is usually more efficient and generally preferred that the on-ball defender receives a forewarning of the ball screen from the screener’s defender and/or other teammates in the form of some type of verbal communication.
After receiving advanced notice of the ball screen, the on-ball defender, especially for this instance, would be typically alert and ready to move over the top of the screen.
Another detail to consider in terms of going over the top of the ball screen is that the on-ball defender would need a certain amount of fluidity alongside great footwork as well as general agility.
Essentially, the on-ball defender would need to be able to “get skinny”, which helps them squeeze through the open gap between the screener and the player in control of the ball, who would use the screen.
Furthermore, the on-ball defender would also need to be able to turn their body at a certain angle while still moving their feet laterally to stay near the player in possession of the ball while that same player uses the ball screen.
Additionally, the on-ball defender would also require an adequate amount of speed and quickness to get back in front of the offensive player in control of the ball following the screening action.
Under
An alternative tactic that an on-ball defender could implement to hinder or completely stop the power of an on-ball screen is by going under it.
When an on-ball defender goes under a ball screen, the results are quite different in comparison to going over it.
First, once an on-ball defender goes under the screen, that action immediately releases pressure on the offensive player in possession of the ball.
In other words, by going under the ball screen, the on-ball defender automatically creates a certain amount of space and separation between themselves and the player in control of the ball, who would also be the recipient of the screen.
Furthermore, by going under the ball screen, the on-ball defender can totally avoid even making contact with the screener altogether.
Put another way, by steering clear of the on-ball screen, the on-ball defender would instantly have more freedom of movement because the screen would not be able to delay or block that movement.
However, going under an on-ball screen does carry with it at least one major risk to consider.
Basically, once an on-ball defender decides to go under a ball screen and release defensive pressure, the offensive player would be left wide open, at least momentarily.
Therefore, if the offensive player in control of the ball possesses a mid-range and/or three-point jump shot, then that same player could simply shoot the ball as soon as the on-ball defender goes under the screen.
Hedge
The hedge, sometimes referred to as hedge and recover, consists of action that occurs when the screener’s defender obstructs the desired dribbling route of the recipient of the screen who would be in possession of the ball by generally lifting above the on-ball screen to ultimately hinder offensive productivity.
The hedge seeks to essentially mitigate or totally eliminate the effectiveness of the on-ball screen, primarily by neutralizing dribble penetration as well as pick and roll action between the screener and the screen receiver who would be in control of the ball.
Moreover, a defensive team could consider implementing the hedge when at least one of that team’s post players possess above average footspeed.
This could be viable because a defensive post player with an adequate amount of speed could swiftly move above the ball screen to limit its efficacy and recover to their original assignment or even, another assignment in certain instances.
Furthermore, if the offensive team prefers to execute multiple ball screens as a part of their basketball offense strategy, then utilizing a hedge could potentially slow down that team’s productivity.
In addition to that, the hedge could be considered when the offensive team features multiple guards with speed and quickness who are able to attack the rim quickly via the ball screen and then execute layups or floaters in the lane.
Ice defense
Ice defense is a ball screen tactic that seeks to hinder scoring options from the side pick and roll action of the offensive player in possession of the basketball as well as the screener who would typically roll to the rim after setting the screen.
During ice defense, the on-ball defender does not fight through the ball screen. Instead, the on-ball defender moves above the screen and turns toward the sideline, parallel to the screen.
That basically forces the offensive player in control of the ball away from the screen and towards the baseline.
As a result, the ice defense tactic effectively shrinks the court and when that happens, the player in possession of the basketball would generally have limited passing and/or scoring options.
It should also be mentioned though that the ice defense is susceptible to the pick and pop action.
That is to say, if the screener pops away from the ball, especially towards the high post, wing, or slot areas on the strong side, then the screener’s defender most likely would not be able to closeout in time to contest a potential jump shot.
Drop coverage
Drop coverage is a defensive tactic that occurs when the screener’s defender drops below the screener, typically slightly above or underneath the free throw line area, during a ball screen or pick and roll action by the offensive team.
Drop coverage is possibly beneficial because it reduces the potency of the roll action by the screener’s defender.
Additionally, drop coverage could also limit dribble penetration by the player that receives the on-ball screen.
Nevertheless, it should also be mentioned that drop coverage most likely would not be as effective if the screener has the capability to shoot three-point jump shots.
Basically, instead of rolling to the basket to be delayed by the dropped defender near the lane, the screener could simply pop to an open spot near one of the perimeter areas.
Put another way, drop coverage is more useful when the screener is a non-shooter as opposed to being an adequate shooter such as a stretch four.
Furthermore, if the player in control of the ball, who would also be the recipient of the screen has an above average jump shot, then drop coverage would be ineffective at best.
Essentially, the offensive recipient of the screen in possession of the ball could take a uncontested or perhaps, lightly contested jump shot in the open space between the on-ball defender and the screener’s defender.
That could also be more of an issue if the offensive recipient of the screen utilizes the snake dribble to create additional separation between the on-ball defender and the screener’s defender as well.
What’s more, drop coverage could also be highly susceptible to Spain pick and roll action because the screener’s defender would have to avoid a back screen while still attempting to contain the offensive recipient of the ball screen.
Switch defense
Switch defense, also known as defensive switching, is a tactic that occurs when at least two defenders exchange the offensive players that they are currently guarding to ultimately hinder or prevent offensive scoring opportunities near the basket or near perimeter areas of the court.
In terms of ball screen defense, the two defenders could exchange immediately without needing to execute any other actions such as going over the screen or hedging the screen.
However, it should be noted that one potential drawback of switching is that it could result in defensive mismatches such as slower post players defending against quicker perimeter players or smaller perimeter players defending against bigger post players.
So, to alleviate or totally eliminate that possible disadvantage, switching is usually best for teams that have versatile defenders who are able to guard multiple basketball positions on the court.
Blitz defense
Blitz defense is a tactic that occurs when the on-ball defender and the screener’s defender attempt to limit the effectiveness of the ball screen by implementing a certain amount of defensive pressure on the offensive player in possession of the basketball.
Basically, the on-ball defender alongside the screener’s defender would more or less double team the offensive player with the ball immediately following the on-ball screen.
By setting up a blitz in that manner, the offensive team’s overall flow could be disrupted, particularly pick and roll action, which could also lead to limited scoring opportunities near the basket or near the perimeter areas of the court as well as potential turnovers.
Nonetheless, it should also be mentioned that since blitzing is comprised of two defenders on the ball, that effectively means that at least one offensive player would be open at some point during the defensive tactic.
Therefore, to alleviate that potential problem, the defensive team as a whole should be ready to rotate to different offensive players when necessary.
What are examples of diagrams that demonstrate ball screen defense tactics
Example 1: Top – Over
This is a very basic example that showcases an on-ball defender going over a screen near the top of the court. To start, the offensive team utilizes a Horns set, which gives 1 an opportunity to choose the ball screen of 4 or the ball screen of 5.
For this case, 1 decides to use the ball screen of 5 and therefore dribbles toward the left side of the court.
As that happens, X1, who is the on-ball defender, fights over the top of the screen to keep an adequate amount of defensive pressure on 1.
Example 2: Top – Under
This is another basic example that shows an on-ball defender going under a screen near the top while the offensive team executes the Horns set. To begin, 1 utilizes the ball screen set by 4 and dribbles toward the right side of the court.
As that occurs, X1 simply goes under the screen and then converges on 1 to contain the basketball.
Example 3: Side ball screen – Over
This simple example demonstrates an on-ball defender going over a side ball screen within a basic 3 out 2 in set. To start, 2 receives the ball from 1 and afterwards, 2 begins to dribble towards the left side high post area via the ball screen set by 4.
However, as that happens, X2 goes over the top of the screen to stay near 2 as much as possible. Following that, X2 could attempt to contain the ball by getting back in front of 2.
Example 4: Side ball screen – Under
This is an example that shows an on-ball defender going under a side ball screen. To begin, 3 receives the ball from 1 and afterwards, 3 dribbles toward the right side high post area via the on-ball screen set by 5.
Nevertheless, X3 counters that ball screen action by simply going under the screen to meet 3 on the other side.
It should also be noted that 3 has the option to take a jump shot as soon as X3 releases the pressure by going under the screen.
Example 5: Hedge
Here is an example of a hard hedge that could be used to hinder ball screen action. To start, 1 attempts to use the ball screen set by 5. However, X5 sprints above the level of the screen to cut off the entire dribbling path for 1.
Unfortunately, this type of hedging aggression puts X5 completely out of position momentarily and as a result, 5 has a free run to the basket.
So, to alleviate that issue, X2 on the weak side could temporarily tag the roller, who is 5, to slow down and delay their free run to the basket.
This gives X5 enough time to sprint as fast as possible to the location of 5. It should also be mentioned that X5 could use high hands above their head while sprinting towards 5 as well.
The purpose of the high hands is to make it more difficult for 1 to choose 5 as a passing target while X5 is sprinting back to close the gap.
What’s more, it should be noted as well that as X5 hedges above the screen, X1 still goes over the top of it but at the same time, X1 goes under X5 to converge on 1.
Example 6: Ice
This is an example of ice defense to reduce the effectiveness of the side ball screen. To begin, 3 receives the ball from 1 and after that, 5 lifts up to set a side ball screen on 3.
However, X3 ices that screen by jumping above it while X5 remains in the open gap between 3 and 5 at that time.
Since X3 iced the screen, 3 does not have much choice but to dribble towards the baseline area while 5 attempts to contain the ball.
Also, for this example, 5 is a non-shooter so 5 decides to roll to the basket but that roll action presents a small problem.
X5 is not able to recover quickly enough when 5 rolls toward the basket. Therefore, to alleviate that particular issue, the low man who is X4, temporarily tags the roller.
From there, X5 recovers to 5 while X3 sprints to contain 3 after executing the ice action.
Example 7: Drop coverage
This is a very basic example of the drop coverage action, primarily geared to take away the roll option. To start, 1 dribbles toward the right side of the court by way of the ball screen set by 5.
As that happens, X1 fights over the top of the screen while X5 performs the drop coverage by staying back in the lane below the screen.
Next, as 5 attempts to roll towards the basket, X5 is there to impede that progress.
Example 8: Switch
This is a simple example of switch defense during ball screen action from a 1-4 low set. To start, 3 utilizes the ball screen set by 4 and then dribbles toward the left side of the court.
However, as that occurs, X3 and X4 switch offensive players as a counter. So, instead of X3 going over or under the screen, X3 simply tags 4 as that player attempts to roll to the basket.
At the same time, X4 picks up 3 and then becomes the new on-ball defender as opposed to executing a hedge or drop coverage.
Example 9: Blitz
This is a simple example of blitz defense during ball screen action, also from a 1-4 low set that converts into Horns screens at the top. To begin, 1 decides to use the on-ball screen set by 4 and therefore, dribbles toward the left side of the court.
As that occurs, X4, who is initially below the screen sprints up toward the ball while X1 fights over the top of the screen.
Next, as 1 continues dribbling, X1 and X4 execute a blitz to put defensive pressure on the ball. When that occurs, 1 responds by dribbling away from the blitz towards the sideline.
At the same time, 2 lifts up toward the wing to give 1 an opportunity to release the pressure. From there, 2 receives the ball from 1.
As that all happens, 4 rolls to the basket but that action is impeded to a degree by X5.
Also, X3 cuts toward the right side low post area as a weak side help defender. Basically, if X5 was not able to impede the free run of 4, then X3 would tag the roller as the low man.
Furthermore, 5 pops out to the right side wing but X5 also stays near 5 as well.
Additionally, X4 recovers to 4 after the blitz sequence finishes, utilizing high hands above the head to take away the potential pass to 4 that could be thrown by 2.