What is the elevator screen in basketball?
The elevator screen in basketball comprises offensive action that occurs when one particular player being guarded by a defender cuts through a small gap between two additional parallel players who then close the gap before the defender has the opportunity to cut through it themselves.
Afterwards, the offensive player who utilized the elevator screen could receive the ball and possibly score, typically by way of an open jump shot behind the three-point line.
How to comprehend the player roles and diagrams on this page
In relation to any diagrams below, each of the offensive players are generally represented by the standard basketball positions in number format, unless otherwise noted.
In essence, 1 is the point guard; 2 is the shooting guard; 3 is the small forward; 4 is the power forward; 5 is the center.
Furthermore, in terms of a brief legend for the diagrams:
- Black Dot or Small Circle: The black dot or small circle represents the basketball.
- Solid Arrow: The solid arrow indicates movement or a cut on the basketball court.
- Dotted Arrow: The dotted arrow represents a basketball pass.
- Wavy Arrow: The wavy arrow indicates dribbling.
- T-Shaped Symbol: The T-shaped symbol signifies a screen, also known as a pick.
- Double pipe symbol: The double pipe symbol denotes handoff action.
What is an example of an elevator screen within 4 out 1 in offense?
A player could utilize an elevator screen after cutting to the basket via a back screen, derived from 4 out 1 in offense.
The example diagrams below illustrate this with more clarity.
Part 1: Back screen
To begin, 4 receives the ball from 1 and then 2 receives it from 4. Afterwards, 1 cuts to the basket via the back screen set by 5.
If that is open, then 1 could receive the ball from 2 and quickly score via a layup. Otherwise, 1 could continue the cut through to the left side low post area.
Part 2: Elevator screen
Next, 1 could cut back towards the top area via an elevator screen set by 4 and 5. From there, 1 could receive the ball from 2 and take the three-point shot if that is open.
What are examples of elevator screen actions within Box offense?
Players could set cross screens or cut to the low post areas from the wings before utilizing elevator screens, which could lead to scoring opportunities.
Box Elevator – Example 1
A player could set a cross screen and cut to the top via an elevator screen. Also, prior to that, a player in possession of the ball could initially dribble towards the wing.
The example diagram below demonstrates this concept.
To start, 1 performs dribble entry action towards the right side wing.
Following that, 5 cuts to the right side low post area via the cross screen set by 2.
At the same time, 2 could cut towards the top via the elevator screen set by 4 and 5. Afterwards, 5 could possibly receive the ball from 1 and score near the basket with a low post move.
Alternatively, 2 could receive it instead and take the three-point jump shot if open.
Box Elevator – Example 2
A player could dribble towards a wing while another player cuts to the top via an elevator screen to receive the ball.
Afterwards, the action could be repeated again via a continuity pattern on the opposite side.
The example diagrams below illustrate these concepts in more detail.
Part 1: Elevator
To start the action, 1 performs a dribble entry towards the left side wing area. As that happens, 2 cuts to the top via the elevator screen set by 4 and 5.
After that, 2 could receive the ball and take the open three-point shot.
Part 2: Elevator continuity
If 2 is not open to take the three-point shot, then it is possible to execute the continuity pattern of the offense.
Therefore, 2 simply dribbles to the right side wing area. While that happens, 3 cuts to the top via the elevator screen set by 4 and 5. Furthermore, 1 cuts down to the left side low post area.
From that point, 3 receives the ball from 2 and has an opportunity to take the three-point shot if that is open.
Part 3: Elevator continuity 2
If 3 is not open, then the continuity could be ran once again. In essence, 3 dribbles to the left side wing area while 1 cuts to the top via the elevator screen set by 4 and 5. Additionally, 2 cuts down to the right side low post area.
Following that, 1 receives the ball from 3 and could take the three-point shot. However, if that is not open,then 1 could run the continuity once again on the right side.
What are examples of elevator screen actions within Horns offense?
Players could cut towards perimeter areas of the court via elevator screens within Horns offense.
It is also possible to utilize certain actions such as flex screens prior to executing or utilizing elevator screens.
Horns Elevator – Example 1
A player in possession of the ball could dribble it towards the wing while a player in the corner cuts toward the top via an elevator screen to receive it.
Following that, as a secondary scoring option, another player could cut to the wing from the low post area via another elevator screen and receive possession of the ball.
The example diagram below demonstrates this concept.
Part 1: Elevator screen 1
To start, 1 performs a dribble entry towards the right side wing and as that occurs, 2 cuts to the top via the elevator screen set by 4 and 5.
Furthermore, 3 cuts from the right side corner to the right side low post area. From there, 2 receives the ball from 1 and takes the three-point jump shot if open.
Part 2: Elevator screen 2
Following that, if 2 is not open for the three-point shot opportunity at the top, then 3 cuts to the left side wing via another elevator screen set by 4 and 5. After that, 3 could receive the ball from 2 and take the three-point jump shot if that is open.
Horns Elevator – Example 2
A corner player could cut to the basket via a flex screen before cutting to the top via an elevator screen.
Prior to that though, a player in possession of the ball could enter it into the high post and cut to the basket. Afterwards, the cutting player could set a flex screen, which could lead to a scoring opportunity around the basket.
The example diagrams below demonstrate these concepts in more detail.
Part 1: Dive cut
To begin, 5 receives the ball from 1 who immediately dive cuts straight to the basket. From there, 1 could receive the ball back again via give and go action if that is open, ultimately to score points via a layup at the rim.
Otherwise, 1 simply cuts out of the lane and fills the right side low post area for the time being.
Part 2: Flex screen
Next, 3 cuts to the basket via the flex screen set by 1. After that, 3 could receive the ball from 5 and score around the basket if that is available.
Otherwise, 3 continues through to the left side low post area while 1 cuts up to receive the ball from 5 near the right side wing.
Part 3: Flex screen and elevator screen
Continuing with the overall action, 2 cuts to the basket via the flex screen set by 3 and could receive the ball from 1, leading to a potential layup.
Alternatively, 2 could cut to the top via the elevator screen set by 4 and 5. After that happens, 2 could receive the ball from 1 and take the open three-point shot.
What is a potential advantage of the elevator screen?
In terms of a potential advantage, the elevator screen could be effective because it is generally difficult for a defender being targeted by the screen to fight through it or evade it altogether.
In other words, a defender probably has at least a moderate chance to fight through or evade other types of basketball screens that are set by one offensive player.
The elevator screen, however, features two adjacent, parallel players working together to impede the defender’s movement and as a result of that, it could be a challenge for the defender to fight through or avoid both of those players.
What is a possible disadvantage of the elevator screen?
In terms of a possible disadvantage, the elevator screen may not be as potent if the timing is incorrect.
For example, let’s say that the player using the screen cuts too fast through the gap before the two parallel players are able to fully set and close it.
When that occurs, then the defender who is chasing behind that same player would most likely be able to cut through the gap as well, which basically defeats the purpose.
As another example, let’s say that the two parallel players position themselves too early, essentially before the cutting player is in motion, ready to use the screen. In other words, the parallel players telegraph the screen.
When that happens, the defender guarding the cutting player might be able to read the screening action in advance and go around it, even if that route is a longer distance to that same cutting player.
Furthermore, if one of the parallel players attempts to close the gap while the defender is already cutting through that same gap, then this could possibly result in an illegal screen, also known as a moving screen violation.
Putting another way, if a parallel player tries to close the gap but as that occurs, a defender is attempting to cut through that gap, then that same parallel player is essentially too late with their timing.
Therefore, if that parallel player makes contact with the defender, then it could be signaled as illegal because the parallel player, (i.e. the screener) does not give the defender enough time and/or distance to avoid the contact, in that particular instance.
What are potential defensive tactics to limit the usefulness of the elevator screen?
An opposing team could possibly limit the usefulness of the elevator screen by implementing the defensive switching tactic.
Essentially, the defender who is initially covering one of the screeners (also known as the screener’s defender) could leave their original assignment to switch to the offensive player cutting through the elevator screen.
As that occurs, the defender who was the initial target of the screen could switch to guard the original assignment of the screener’s defender.
It should be noted though, that this particular switching action could result in defensive mismatches, especially for the player being targeted by the screen, who is usually a perimeter player such as a point guard or shooting guard.
Moreover, it should also be stated that if the ball is on either side of the court prior to the screening action, then the screener’s defender who would execute the switching action should typically be on that same side as well.
So, if the offensive player in possession of the ball is near the right side wing and the elevator screen occurs near the high post area, then the screener’s defender that should generally switch would be the one who is near the right side elbow area.
However, if the screening action is for a player cutting towards a wing (or possibly even the corner), then the switching defender should generally be the one who is furthest away from the basket.
Essentially, in terms of the parallel screening action, that defender’s offensive assignment (i.e. the screener) would be the highest or furthest one from the basket.