What is the flare screen in basketball
The flare screen consists of action that occurs when one offensive player, being guarded by a defender, cuts away from the basketball to use a screen that is set by a second offensive player and afterwards, the first offensive player could then receive the ball, particularly near the perimeter areas of the court.
Following that, that same offensive player could attempt to score, especially by way of an open jump shot or possibly execute another type of playmaking action, which could lead to additional scoring opportunities.
What are examples of basic flare screens
These are basic examples of flare screens that are utilized by offensive players near the top and wing areas of the basketball court.
It should also be noted that the numbers for the players are not necessarily representative of common basketball positions at this point but are simply for demonstration purposes.
Basic Flare Screen 1
This is a diagram example of basic flare screen action that features three offensive players, denoted simply as 1, 2, and 3, as well as a single defensive player, indicated as X1.
In terms of initial occupied areas of the court, 1 begins at the top, 2 starts near the left side wing, and 3 begins near the right side low post area, which is also indicative of good spacing concepts.
It should also be noted that the defender, X1, is guarding 1 with standard man to man defense.
To start the action, 2 receives the ball from 1 via a standard air pass such as a chest pass.
Following that, 1 cuts toward the right side wing area via a flare screen set by 3. Afterwards, 1 could receive the ball from 2 and take the open jump shot.
Basic Flare Screen 2
This is yet another diagram example of basic flare screen action with three offensive players, denoted as 1, 2, and 3, as well as a single defensive player, indicated as X2.
In terms of initial occupied areas of the court, 1 begins at the high post area near the free throw line, 2 begins near the left side wing, and 3 starts near the left side low post area. Moreover, X2 is covering 2 with standard man to man defense.
To start the action, 2 cuts to the left side corner via the flare screen set by 3. After that happens, 2 receives the ball from 1 and takes the open jump shot.
Why is the flare screen potentially effective
The flare screen is potentially effective because it is generally difficult for the off-ball defender to see the screen, fight over the top of the screen, or evade the screen altogether by going under it while providing adequate help defense if necessary.
Furthermore, the offensive player that uses the flare screen would cut away from the ball as opposed to cutting towards it, which an offensive player would perform with basketball screens such as the cross screen or the down screen.
This, in turn, could result in an sufficient amount of separation between the offensive player that uses the flare screen and the defensive player that is being targeted by the screen.
Moreover, if the offensive player that uses the flare screen does get open and that same player is an exceptional slasher or elite three-point shooter, then this will almost certainly be a detriment to the defender guarding that same offensive player.
The following basketball diagram below seeks to illustrate this point.
Flare screen creates separation from the targeted defender
On the diagram, the targeted defender, X1, attempts to fight over the top of the flare screen.
However, when that occurs, it would more than likely result in a late defensive closeout, which could then give the offensive player denoted as 1 more than enough time to take a jump shot or attack the rim.
What is a possible drawback of the flare screen
A possible drawback of the flare screen is its potential susceptibility to the switch defense tactic, which could be utilized to mitigate its overall effectiveness.
The following basketball diagram attempts to illustrate this point.
Defenders switch assignments to limit the flare screen
On the diagram, 1 cuts to the right side wing area in an attempt to get open for a possible jump shot or drive to the basket.
However, X3 switches to 1, represented by the gray arrow, which also makes it more difficult for 1 to get open to receive the ball from 2.
Furthermore, X1 switches to 3, who set the screen. Additionally, 3 cuts to the basket after setting the screen but X1 is there to take away an easy scoring opportunity. The movement of X1 is also shown via a gray arrow.
Essentially, in this simple scenario, the switch tactic renders the flare screen ineffective for the offensive team.
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What is an example of the flare screen within continuity offense
Continuity Flare – Part 1
This is an example of the flare screen within continuity offense, which features scoring opportunities near the basket or near the perimeter areas of the court.
It is derived from 5-Out Motion Offense, Volume 2 by Harry Perretta. Also, players should consider a few general rules in reference to the offensive action.
The player that uses the flare screen should initially set up the defender before cutting away.
The player that sets the flare screen should turn towards the ball and slip to the basket immediately following the screening action.
The player that receives the ball should take one or two dribbles towards the player using the flare screen to get a better passing angle.
Furthermore, the player that receives the ball after the flare screen has the option to shoot a jump shot, particularly from three-point range, or pass the ball to the player who slipped to the basket.
It should also be mentioned that for these diagrams, the offensive players do not necessarily have to follow the traditional basketball positions. In other words, the players can be positionless in this particular instance.
To start the action, 3 receives the ball from 1 and afterwards, 3 dribbles toward the left slot area. As that happens, 1 cuts away to the right slot area near the wing via a flare screen set by 2.
Following that, 1 receives the ball from 3 and at the same time, 2 slips to the basket while 4 fills the right side wing area.
From there, 1 could take the open three-point jump shot or 2 could receive the ball and score near the basket via a low post move, layup, or dunk.
If 2 does not receive the ball from 1, then 2 could continue the cut towards the right side corner.
Continuity Flare – Part 2
Next, 1 could dribble towards the top and when that happens, 3 could cut to the left side wing via a flare screen set by 5.
Afterwards, 3 receives the ball from 1 and at the same time, 5 slips to the basket. Following that action, 3 could take the open three-point jump shot or 5 could receive the ball and score near the rim.
If 3 receives the ball but does not shoot or pass, then 5 could self replace at the left side corner.
Continuity Flare – Part 3
Once the basketball gets passed to both sides of the court at least one time, the team has the opportunity to execute the continuity pattern of the motion offense.
Therefore, 3 could dribble towards the left slot and when that happens, 1 could cut to the right slot via the flare screen set by 4. After that, 1 could receive the ball from 3 and at the same time, 4 slips to the basket while 2 fills the right side wing area.
From that point, 1 could take the open three-point jump shot or 4 could receive the ball and score around the basket. If 4 does not receive the ball from 1, then 4 could cut towards the right side corner.
Continuity Flare – Part 4
Next, 1 could dribble towards the top and from there, 3 could cut to the left side wing via the flare screen set by 5, similar to part 2.
However, let’s say that 3 is not open to receive the ball. When that occurs, 2 would receive the ball from 1 as 5 executes a self replace to the left side corner.
Continuity Flare – Part 5
After that, 2 could dribble towards the right slot and as that happens, 1 could cut away to the left slot via the flare screen set by 3. From there, 1 could receive the ball from 2 and at the same time, 3 could slip to the basket while 5 fills the left side wing area.
Next, 1 could take the open three-point jump shot or 3 could receive the ball from 1 and score near the basket. If 3 does not receive the ball, then 3 could cut to the left side corner.
Continuity Flare – Part 6
Afterwards, 1 could dribble towards the top and as that happens, 2 could cut away towards the right side wing via the flare screen set by 4.
Following that, 2 could take the open three-point jump shot or 4 could receive the ball and score around the basket. If 2 receives the ball but does not shoot or pass, then 4 could execute a self replace towards the right side corner.
From there, the continuity could technically keep going until the offensive team takes a field goal attempt, preferably a high percentage shot near the basket or a wide open three-pointer.
What is an example of the flare screen within Horns offense
Horns Flare – Part 1
This is an example of the flare screen within the Horns offense, which features false motion to keep the defense guessing prior to the real action.
This particular basketball play is based on information from Favorite Horns Offense & Actions by Cheryl Reeve.
It should also be mentioned that for all of the diagrams below, unless stated otherwise, the offensive players are generally represented by the standard basketball positions.
That is to say, 1 is the point guard, 2 is the shooting guard, 3 is the small forward, 4 is the power forward, and 5 is the center.
To begin, 1 uses an on-ball screen set by 5 to complete a dribble handoff with 3 near the left side wing.
As soon as the handoff occurs, 2 cuts to the right side wing by way of a wide pin down screen set by 4. Afterwards, 1 fills the left side corner, 5 executes a self replace near the left side high post elbow, and 4 fills the right side low post area.
Horns Flare – Part 2
Next, 3 dribbles to the top via the on-ball screen set by 5. It should also be noted that 5 should set the screen at such an angle that the defender guarding 3 would have a difficult time going under it.
Afterwards, 5 could roll to the basket and 4 could lift up towards the right side high post area. In addition to that, 1 would also lift up from the left corner to fill the left side wing area.
Following that, 5 could receive the ball from 3 and score near the basket via a layup or dunk if that is available. Otherwise, 4 could receive the ball instead.
Horns Flare – Part 3
Continuing the action, 2 could cut towards the right side high post area via a diagonal screen set by 3. Upon reaching the high post area, 2 could receive the ball via a handoff from 4.
While that occurs, 1 could cut to the left side corner by way of the flare screen set by 5. After that, 1 could receive the ball from 2 and take the three-point shot if that is open.
Also, if 1 is not open to receive the ball, then 2 could take the mid-range shot or drive to the basket for a possible layup, floater, or dunk.
Furthermore, 3 could cut to the right side corner after the diagonal screen, receive the ball from 2, and take the three-point shot if open.
Moreover, if 5 is a good shooter as well, then 5 could pop to the left slot after the flare screen, receive the ball from 2, and take the open shot.
What is an example of a special situation that uses a flare screen
Late Clock Flare
This is an example of a special situation that uses a flare screen. More specifically, it is a late game clock play that could be potentially useful against a full court man to man defense with approximately eight to ten seconds remaining and the team needs two or three points to win or tie the game.
To start, 1 cuts to an area slightly below the free throw line but above the half-dotted circle via a screen set by 2.
Afterwards, 1 receives the ball via the inbound pass by 5. Next, 1 quickly turns and begins to dribble down the middle of the court while the other players sprint down the court as well.
2 should sprint to the left side wing area, 3 should sprint to the right side corner, 4 should sprint towards the left side low post area and 5 should sprint to the right side wing area.
From there, if the team needs two points, then 4 could possibly receive the ball from 1 and score by way of a layup at the rim or by way of a swift low post move around the basket.
1 could also simply take a mid-range jump shot, shoot a floater in the lane, or drive all the way to the basket and score via a layup.
On the other hand, if the team needs three points, then 2 could receive the ball from 1. After that, 1 could cut to the right side wing area via a flare screen set by 5, receive the ball from 2, and take the jump shot.
It should also be mentioned that if 1 is not open to receive the ball or there is simply not enough time, then 2 will have to make a quick basketball move such as a step back and then shoot a desperation three-pointer.
A desperation three-pointer is not necessarily the best action for the team as a whole but it is still better than letting the game clock expire without getting off a field goal attempt at all.