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Off-Ball Screen in Basketball: Basic Information Explained

What is an off-ball screen in basketball

An off-ball screen consists of action that occurs when at least one offensive player sets a screen for another offensive player that does not have current possession of the basketball to ultimately create a potential scoring opportunity near the basket or near the perimeter areas of the court.

Furthermore, during off-ball screen action, the offensive player that set the screen is generally known as the screener while the defensive player that covers that same offensive player could be referred to as the screener’s defender.

Additionally, the off-ball screen is a type of basketball screen that is commonly utilized against man to man defense but in certain instances, it could also be implemented against zone defense as well.

Moreover, off-ball screen action is usually more effective if it occurs on the weak side of the court as opposed to the strong side.

The off-ball screen is also different from the on-ball screen because it is set for an offensive player that does not have possession of the basketball while the on-ball screen is set for an offensive player that does have possession of it.

Which offensive players would usually set off-ball screens

Generally speaking, most off-ball screens are usually set by players that typically play post-oriented basketball positions such as the power forward or center.

However, it is possible for offensive players that typically play perimeter-oriented positions such as the point guard, shooting guard, or small forward to set screens as well.

That would commonly happen with basketball offense strategies such as the 5 out motion offense, the Flex offense, or the Swing offense, which generally offers equal opportunities to score for all offensive players on the court.

What actions could defenders utilize to hinder the off-ball screen

In general, defenders will usually attempt to hinder the effectiveness of off-ball screens by fighting over the top of the screen, going under the screen, or executing a defensive switch.

Fight over the top

Generally speaking, a defender that would be the target of an off-ball screen would typically fight over the top of an off-ball screen if they can see it in advance before being blocked by the screener.

Also, a defender might choose to fight over the top of an off-ball screen if they believe that it is possible to get around it with minimal effort.

Furthermore, a defender might decide to fight over the top of the screen if the offensive player that they are currently guarding is a scoring threat and the defender wants to keep as much pressure as possible on that same offensive player.

Go under the screen

A defender that is the target of a screen might decide to evade and diminish the effectiveness of certain types of off-ball screens, such as the down screen, by going under them, which is also known as shooting the gap.

A defender might execute this action to ultimately limit or prevent scoring opportunities, particularly from the mid-range or three-point range of the offensive player that would use the screen.

Basically, a defender could go under the screen to effectively close the gap between themselves and the offensive player that would use the off-ball screen.

This, in theory, would make it more difficult for the offensive player to score, especially via the perimeter areas of the court, if the defender is able to converge on them more quickly than fighting over the top of the screen.

The downside, however, of going under screens is that the defender momentarily releases pressure from the offensive player that would use the screen and possibly more importantly, it makes the defender susceptible to a special type of basketball cut known as the fade cut.

Essentially, if a defender goes under certain types of off-ball screens, then the offensive player that would use the screen could counter by cutting (or fading) away from that defender to another area of the court.

When that happens, it creates an additional amount of further separation between the defender and the offensive player, which would be detrimental to the defensive team but beneficial to the offensive team.

Execute a defensive switch

A defender that is the target of an off-ball screen could also execute a defensive switch with another defender, particularly the screener’s defender.

That is, instead of fighting over the top of the screen or going under it, the primary defender would switch onto the screener while the secondary defender, usually the screener’s defender would switch onto the offensive player that would use the screen.

As a simple example, if the primary defender is being targeted by a back screen, then the screener’s defender could switch unto the offensive player initially near the perimeter that would use that screen.

At the same time, the primary defender would switch onto the offensive player that set the screen.

As a result, at least theoretically, the back screen would become ineffective because the offensive player that utilized the screen would not be open to score near the basket due to the quick switching action by the two defenders.

It should also be stated that switching has at least one noteworthy drawback, which is the potential creation of defensive mismatches.

Using the back screen example again, let’s say that the offensive player who set the screen is a perimeter-oriented player alongside their defender, which is the screener’s defender. Furthermore, let’s say that the offensive player who would use the screen is a post-oriented player.

From there, if the screener’s defender (i.e. a perimeter-oriented defender in this scenario) switches onto the offensive player cutting to the basket via the back screen, then that would result in a defensive mismatch.

That is, the perimeter-oriented screener’s defender would have a size disadvantage against the post-oriented screen user who would also be near the basket after the back screen action.

Simply put, for this case, the switching action would be ineffective at best or totally pointless altogether because the post-oriented player could still receive the ball near the basket and score, primarily due to their size and/or height advantage.

What actions could an offensive player execute after setting an off-ball screen

Generally speaking, after setting an off-ball screen, an offensive player (i.e. the screener) could fill the adjacent open spot, use an off-ball screen that is set by another offensive player, or even set another off-ball screen following the initial one.

Furthermore, in some instances, an offensive player who set an off-ball screen could also slip to the basket prior to that screen being completely set. This would commonly happen as a counter to a defensive hedge or defensive switching.

Fill the adjacent open spot

An offensive player who set an off-ball screen could fill and replace at the adjacent open spot on the court that was previously occupied by the offensive player that used the screen.

This could be useful if the screener happens to be a perimeter-oriented player or if the screener possesses a perimeter shooting ability, notably from three-point range. This is also useful because it promotes good basketball spacing on the court.

Basically, when the offensive player that used the off-ball screen cuts to the basket or to another area of the court near the perimeter, the offensive player that initially set the screen would automatically be at least 12 to 15 feet away from them after filling the adjacent open spot.

Use an off-ball screen

An offensive player who set an off-ball screen could then use an off-ball screen themselves, which is generally referred to as screen the screener action.

This could be favorable for the offensive team because it essentially forces the defensive team to cover at least two screening actions, which could be very difficult in terms of limiting or preventing offensive scoring opportunities.

Set another off-ball screen

In certain set plays or strategies, an offensive player that initially set an off-ball screen could immediately set another off-ball screen.

For example, it is possible for screeners to set a stagger screen for one particular offensive player and then immediately set a second stagger screen for a different offensive player.

Also, it is possible for a screener to set a back screen for a certain offensive player but then quickly set a down screen for that same offensive player, usually as a counter to defensive switching.

What actions could an offensive player execute after using an off-ball screen

Generally speaking, after using an off-ball screen, an offensive player could cut to the basket, cut to an area near the perimeter, set an on-ball screen, or set an off-ball screen as well.

Cut to the basket

An offensive player who uses an off-ball screen could simply cut to the basket because of the screening action itself or in certain instances, as a counter if the defender attempts to take away the initial pathway towards the perimeter areas of the court.

Cut to the perimeter

An offensive player who uses an off-ball screen could cut to a perimeter area of the court, particularly the wings or towards the top, based on the specific screening action that occurs.

Also, in the case of a fade cut, an offensive player would initially cut to one particular perimeter area such as the wing but then cut away to an alternative perimeter area, most notably, the adjacent corner.

Set an on-ball screen

In certain instances, an offensive player who uses an off-ball screen could then set an on-ball screen for another offensive player in possession of the basketball.

When this occurs, the first off-ball screen is generally referred to as a ram screen and it could be utilized as a counter to ball screen defensive tactics, especially the defensive hedge.

Basically, the ram screen tries to curb the effectiveness of the defensive hedge by setting an off-ball screen on the screener’s defender before that same defender has time to get above the on-ball screen in an attempt to limit dribble penetration.

Set an off-ball screen

In some cases, an offensive player who uses an off-ball screen could then set an off-ball screen themselves, particularly for the initial screener. For example, an offensive player could initially use a down screen and cut towards the perimeter such as the wing.

However, that initial down screen action could be implemented as a decoy or as a counter to defensive tactics such as switching or shooting the gap.

Following that, the offensive player that initially used the down screen could flip it and set a down screen themselves for the initial screener, which also happens to be screen the screener action.

These two screening actions (which are both down screens, in this example) would be very challenging for the defensive team to cover effectively. As a result, a scoring opportunity could be potentially generated for the offensive team.

What are the different types of off-ball screens

Back screen

Back screen - Off-Ball Screen

The back screen occurs when an offensive player sets an off-ball screen directly behind a defender and afterwards, another offensive player could then use that screen to get open, especially near the basket.

For the very simple diagram, 3 receives the ball from 1 and after that, 2 cuts to the basket via an angled back screen set by 5.

Next, 2 receives the ball from 3 and scores at the rim with a layup or dunk.

Cross screen

Cross screen - Off-Ball Screen

The cross screen occurs when an offensive player sets an off-ball screen in the center of the lane near the basket or near the nail area of the high post.

Following that, another offensive player could use that screen to get open, typically near the low post areas. Also, a cross screen is usually set by a perimeter player for a post player. As a result of that, defensive switching would lead to a defensive mismatch.

On the basic diagram, 5 cuts across the lane to get open near the right side low post block via the cross screen set by 2. Afterwards, 5 could receive the ball from 1 and score near the basket via a low post move.

Down screen

Down screen - Off-Ball Screen

The down screen occurs when an offensive player sets an off-ball screen while facing the baseline or the basket.

After that, another offensive player could use that screen and cut towards the perimeter areas of the court such as the wings.

Moreover, there are two variations of the standard down screen known as the pin down screen, which is set near the lane adjacent to the basket and the wide pin down screen, which is set near the corner.

In reference to the basic diagram, which also happens to be a box alignment, 2 and 3 cut to the wing areas via the down screens set by 4 and 5 respectively. Following that, 2 or 3 could receive the ball and take the open jump shot.

Elevator screen

Elevator screen - Off-Ball Screen

The elevator screen occurs when an offensive player without possession of the ball cuts through a small gap between two additional offensive players that are standing parallel to each other.

Following that, the two parallel players close the gap before the defender, who would be the target of the elevator screen, has the opportunity to get through it themselves.

For the diagram example, which also begins in a box formation, 1 initiates the action with a dribble entry towards the right side wing area.

After that, 5 cuts across the lane to the right side low post block via the cross screen set by 2. Furthermore, in this instance, the cross screen is mainly decoy action that is used to occupy the defense.

Next, 2 cuts to the top via the gap of the elevator screen set by 3 and 4, which is also screen the screener action. From that point, 2 could receive the ball from 1 and take the open three-point jump shot.

Flare screen

Flare screen - Off-Ball Screen

The flare screen occurs when an offensive player cuts away from the basketball to utilize an off-ball screen set by another offensive player.

This type of basketball screen could be potentially beneficial because it could be challenging for the targeted defender to fight over the top of the screen or evade it in general, especially if that same defender does not initially see the screen or know it is being set via communication with teammates.

In terms of the diagram example, 5 receives the ball from 1 at the left side high post elbow area and after that, 1 cuts away to the right side wing area.

Next, 1 receives the ball from 5 via a skip pass and has the options to attack the basket or take the open jump shot.

Flex screen

Flex screen - Off-Ball Screen

The flex screen occurs when an offensive player cuts to an area of the court that is between the low post and the adjacent short corner to set a special type of back screen for another offensive player.

Afterwards, the second offensive player could cut to the basket via the flex screen and score at the rim if open.

For the basic diagram, 4 receives the ball from 1 and then 2 receives the ball from 4 to complete ball reversal action. Also after that, 4 cuts to the basket via the flex screen set by 5, receives the ball from 2, and scores at the rim.

Hammer screen

Hammer screen - Off-Ball Screen

The hammer screen consists of action that occurs when an offensive player sets an off-ball screen for another offensive player who uses the screen and cuts to the adjacent corner.

Also, as that occurs, a third offensive player attacks the baseline on the opposite side of the court and then throws a drift pass to the offensive player that cut to the corner for a potential jump shot.

On the diagram example, 2 receives the ball from 1 and after that, 2 begins to attack the baseline via the step-up screen set by 4.

Furthermore, at the same time, on the weak side, 3 cuts to the right side corner via the hammer screen set by 5. Next, 3 receives the ball from 2 via the drift pass and takes the open three-point jump shot.

Single-double screen

Single-double screen - Off-Ball Screen

The single-double screen, also known as floppy action, occurs when an offensive player has the option to get open via a single screen near one side of the lane or via a double screen on the opposite side of the lane.

Afterwards, if the offensive player utilizes the single screen, then the screener on the single side could use the double screen to get open as well, which is also screen the screener action.

In reference to the diagram example, 2 cuts to the left side wing via the single screen set by 3. Next, 3 cuts to the right side wing via the double screen set by 4 and 5. After that, 2 or 3 could receive the ball and take a jump shot if open.

Stagger screen

Stagger screen - Off-Ball Screen

The stagger screen occurs when two offensive players set consecutive screens, typically at an angle, for another offensive player, who would then use the off-ball screen to get open, usually near a perimeter area of the court.

In terms of the basic example, 1 executes a dribble handoff with 2 and as that happens, 3 cuts to the right side wing area via the stagger screen set by 4 and 5. Next, 3 receives the ball from 2 and has the opportunity to take the open jump shot.

UCLA screen

UCLA screen - Off-Ball Screen

The UCLA screen occurs when an offensive player near the top or slot passes the ball to another offensive player near the adjacent wing and then a third offensive player sets a back screen near the high post elbow for the first offensive player.

For the simple diagram example, 3 receives the ball from 1 and afterwards, 1 cuts to the basket via the UCLA screen set by 5. Next, 1 could receive the ball again from 3 and score at the rim via a layup.