What is a flare screen in basketball?
A flare screen consists of action that occurs when one offensive player, typically 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.
How to understand the player roles and diagrams on this page
In reference to any diagrams below, each of the offensive and defensive players are generally represented by the standard basketball positions, unless otherwise noted.
Additionally, offensive players are signified by numbers such as 1-5 while defensive players are indicated by the letter X, which is then followed by numbers such as X1-X5.
In essence, 1 and X1 indicate the respective offensive and defensive point guards. 2 and X2 signify the respective offensive and defensive shooting guards.
3 and X3 denote the respective offensive and defensive small forwards. 4 and X4 designate the respective offensive and defensive power forwards.
5 and X5 represent the respective offensive and defensive centers.
Moreover, 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.
Basic flare screen example
This is an example of a basic flare screen involving three offensive players and one defensive player who guards the offensive player initially in possession of the ball.
To start the action, 1 passes the ball towards the left side wing, which is received by 2. Following that, 1 cuts toward the right side wing via a flare screen set by 3.
Afterwards, 1 receives the ball from 2 via a skip pass and could take the open three-point shot or possibly drive to the basket.
What is an example of a flare screen within 5 out offense?
A player in possession of the ball could pass to a wing and cut away to the opposite side via a flare screen set by another player.
Next, a player in possession of the ball could dribble towards the top and pass it to another player who also utilizes a flare screen.
This process could keep repeating via a continuity pattern as well. The example diagrams below demonstrate these points in more detail.
Also, this example is derived from 5-Out Motion Offense, Volume 2 by Harry Perretta.
What’s more, the player utilizing the flare screen should initially set up the defender before cutting away. The player setting the flare screen should turn towards the ball and slip the screen to the basket immediately following the screening action.
Part 1
To begin, 3 receives the ball from 1 and afterwards, 3 dribbles toward the left slot area between the top and left side wing. As that happens, 1 cuts away to the right slot area between the top and right side 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 lifts up towards the right side wing area.
From there, 1 could take the open three-point shot or 2 could receive the ball and score near the basket. If 2 does not receive the ball from 1, then 2 could continue the cut towards the right side corner.
Part 2
Next, 1 dribbles toward the top and when that happens, 3 cuts toward 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, 3 could take the open three-point jump shot or 5 could receive the ball instead and score near the rim.
Alternatively, if 3 receives the ball but does not shoot or pass, then 5 could self replace at the left side corner.
Part 3
At this point, the offensive team can continue to execute the flare screen action but with a different player setting the screen on the weak side of the ball.
In essence, 3 dribbles toward the left slot and when that happens, 1 cuts toward the right slot via the flare screen set by 4. After that, 1 receives the ball from 3 and at the same time, 4 slips to the basket while 2 fills the right side wing area.
Next, 1 could take the three-point shot if that is open or 4 could receive the ball and score around the basket. Alternatively, if 4 does not receive the ball from 1, then 4 could cut towards the right side corner.
Part 4
For this part of the play, let’s say that 1 dribbles toward the top but 3 is not open after the flare screen and 5 is not open after the slip screen.
When that happens, the offensive team can simply run the continuity on the other side of the court. Therefore, 2 receives the ball from 1 as 3 settles in near the left side wing and 5 self replaces in the left side corner.
Part 5
Next, 2 dribbles toward 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.
Afterwards, 1 could take the three-point shot if that is available. Otherwise, 3 could receive the ball from 1 and score near the basket. Alternatively, if 3 does not receive the ball, then 3 cuts toward the left side corner.
Part 6
Continuing the action, 1 dribbles toward the top and as that happens, 2 cuts away toward the right side wing via the flare screen set by 4.
Following that, 2 could take the open three-point shot or 4 could receive the ball and score around the basket. Alternatively, if 2 receives the ball but does not shoot or pass, then 4 could execute a self replace towards the right side corner.
From that point, 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 a flare screen within late game offense?
During late game, a player could receive the ball in the backcourt, dribble into the frontcourt, pass to a teammate on one side of the court, and cut away to the opposite side via a flare screen.
The example diagram below illustrates this in more detail.
Also, this late game offense could be utilized when there is 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 restricted arc within the lane by way of a screen set by 2.
Afterwards, 1 receives the ball via the inbound pass that is thrown 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.
That particular shot 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.
Why is the flare screen potentially effective?
The flare screen is potentially effective because it can be 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 that could also be a detriment to the defender guarding that same offensive player.
The example diagram below illustrates this concept in more detail.
On the adjacent diagram, the targeted defender, indicated as X1, attempts to fight over the top of the flare screen as the offensive player, denoted as 1, cuts away from the ball and eventually receives it via a skip pass by 2.
However, as X1 fights over the screen, that could give 1 more time to take an open jump shot or dribble to attack the rim, which is represented by a wavy arrow in this instance.
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 example diagram below showcases this point with more clarity.
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 and 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.