What is the pick and roll in basketball?
The pick and roll is a common offensive tactic that generally consists of a pick being set by a player for a teammate who has possession of the basketball and afterwards, the player who set the pick can roll to the basket, which could lead to a potential scoring opportunity.
Common abbreviation for pick and roll
A common abbreviation for the pick and roll term is PnR. The P is for “Pick”; the n is for “and”; the R is for “Roll”.
Another variation of the abbreviation is P&R. The P stands for “Pick”; the & (ampersand symbol) stands for “and”; the R stands for “Roll”.
Alternative names for pick and roll
The pick itself can be referred to simply as a screen, a ball screen, or an on-ball screen.
Moreover, pick and roll action is sometimes simply known as ball screen action.
In addition to that, the pick and roll is sometimes called screen and roll. This is generally because the pick itself is a type of basketball screen, and more specifically, a ball screen or on-ball screen as stated previously.
How to understand 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 pick and roll action via a corner ball screen?
The corner ball screen consists of a pick that is set near the corner, as the name implies.
The example diagram below illustrates this concept.
For the basic setup, 1 is located in the right corner while 4 is near the right side high post elbow area. Other players who do not take part in the play remain stationary in other areas of the court, most notably the top, left elbow, and left wing.
To run the action, 4 cuts toward 1 to set a corner ball screen. 1 utilizes the screen while 4 rolls to the basket.
From there, 1 can take the open jump shot or pass the ball with 4 as the receiver, which can result in a scoring opportunity at the rim.
What are examples of pick and roll action via a drag screen?
The drag screen consists of a pick that is typically set above the the three-point line near the top or slot area, especially during transition offense or secondary break action.
The drag screen can also be set with one offensive screener or two, depending on coaching philosophy and/or other circumstances that are happening within the game.
The example diagrams below illustrate these points in greater detail.
Single drag screen example
During the initial phase of action, 1 dribbles down the right sideline while 5 initially trails the middle and other players fill the corners and weak side wing respectively.
Next, 5 sets the drag screen near the slot area and then 1 uses that screen to dribble towards the left side of the court.
Afterwards, 5 rolls to the basket and could receive the ball from 1, which could lead to a scoring opportunity near the rim.
Double drag screen example
This is an example of double drag screen action, which includes two offensive screeners as opposed to one.
During the initial phase, 1 dribbles down the sideline while 4 and 5 trail into the slot areas.
After that happens, 5 and 4 set the double drag screen near the right slot and top area respectively.
1 uses those screening actions to dribble towards the left wing area while 4 pops to the top behind the three-point line and 5 rolls to the basket.
From that point, 1 could pass the ball to either 4 or 5 as receivers for potential scoring opportunities via jump shot or layup respectively.
What are examples of pick and roll action initiated from the Horns set?
Pick and roll action initiated from from the Horns set generally consists of two high post players setting separate screens for an offensive player in possession of the basketball, typically above the three-point line.
It’s also possible to execute the Horns pick and roll by passing the ball into the high post and creating a scoring opportunity from that.
The example diagrams below illustrate these concepts in more detail.
Basic Horns pick and roll example
To begin, 4 and 5 can take a step out from above the elbow areas to set separate picks. From there, 1 has the option to choose either screen and dribble towards that side.
In this scenario, 1 uses the pick set by 5 and begins to dribble towards the basket from the right side of the court.
As that happens, 5 rolls to the basket while 4 pops back to the top area. Next, 5 could receive the ball from 1 and score via a layup or dunk.
Horns pick and roll via high post action
This is an example of Horns pick and roll via high post action, also known as elbow get. Essentially, instead of the two high post players setting picks for the player near the top, one of the screeners will set a pick for the opposite high post player after that same player receives the ball.
To start the action, 4 receives the ball from 1 near the left side high post and then immediately faces up in the direction of the basket.
This is an automatic cue for a pick set by 5. Also, notice that 5 sets the screen at an angle in the area that the defender (not shown) would most likely be located if 4 were to face up.
Next, 4 uses that pick and begins to dribble towards the rim from the right side of the court while 5 rolls to the basket.
Following that, 5 could receive the ball from 4 and score around the rim with a high percentage shot such as a layup or dunk.
Alternatively, 4 could keep the ball and drive it to the basket to score themselves or even take the short-range jump shot.
What is an example of pick and roll action via a flat ball screen?
The flat ball screen occurs when an offensive player sets a pick typically near the top area in the middle of the court, while facing away from the adjacent baseline.
The flat ball screen could be also thought of as an on-ball variation of a back screen because the defender who would be the target of the pick would usually not be able to clearly see it from their point of view as it is behind them.
Also, due to the flat ball screen being set horizontally, this gives the offensive player in possession of the ball an opportunity to dribble and attack the defense from the left side or the right side of the court.
Furthermore, that could make it much more difficult for the defender to cheat over the top of it or even go under it because they would have to guess which direction the offensive player would attack from, especially when compared to an angled screen.
The example diagram below gives more insights of this concept.
To begin, 5 lifts up to set a flat ball screen near the top beyond the three-point line.
From there, 1 has the option to attack from the left side or right side, which also means that the defender denoted as X1 would have to guess if they wanted to cheat the screen.
In this case, 1 decides to attack the basket from the right side and afterwards, 5 rolls in the opposite direction from the left side.
Following that, 1 could take the mid-range shot or 5 could receive it instead, which could lead to a layup near the basket.
What is an example of pick and roll action via a side ball screen?
The side ball screen consists of a pick that is set for a player in possession of the ball on the wing near a sideline.
The example diagram below demonstrates this concept.
To begin the action, 5 lifts up from the low post area to set a side ball screen for 1 who uses that screen to dribble towards the middle high post area.
5 rolls to the basket after the pick, receives the ball from 1, and scores via a layup or dunk.
What is an example of Spain pick and roll action?
Spain pick and roll action occurs when the player setting the initial pick receives a screen themselves from another teammate.
Essentially, it is a screen the screener action that seeks to free up the player rolling to the basket, particularly by setting a back screen on that same player’s defender.
The example diagram below gives an illustration of this process via a 1-4 low set.
To start, 5 lifts up to set a pick for 1 who dribbles toward the right side of the floor. Additionally, as the on-ball pick is being set, 3 lifts up to set a back screen on the defender (not shown) who would be guarding 5.
Assuming the back screen is successful, 5 would be free to roll to the basket, receive the ball from 1, and score at the rim with a layup or dunk.
What is an example of pick and roll action via a step-up screen?
The step-up screen occurs when an offensive player cuts to an area away from the middle of the court, typically near a wing or slot, usually with their back towards the adjacent baseline to set an on-ball screen for another offensive player who currently has possession of the basketball.
The example diagram below demonstrates this concept.
To begin, 2 receives the ball from 1. Afterwards, 2 dribbles toward the baseline by way of a step-up screen set by 5 who also rolls to the rim.
From there, 5 could receive the ball from 2 and score via a layup. Alternatively, 2 could keep possession of the ball and take the mid-range shot instead.
What are additional pick and roll rules to consider?
Set a valid pick to avoid an illegal screen violation
It is most likely obvious but the player setting the pick, also known as the picker or screener, should make sure that it is legal action.
To set a good legal pick, the screener should first position their feet about shoulder-width apart with their back straightened and knees slightly bent to form a solid base.
Furthermore, the screener should place their hands across their chest or across their lap and have their elbows kept within their own cylinder while remaining stationary.
In addition to that, the screener should make sure to give the defender enough time and/or distance to avoid the pick.
Doing that also make it easier for the recipient of the screen to use it effectively and it also reduces the chances of being assessed a violation by way of an illegal screen.
What’s more, when a potential screener is cutting towards a teammate in possession of the ball to set a pick, one particular method that the screener could use to avoid setting an illegal screen is to execute a brief hop before firmly planting both feet on the ground prior to setting the screen.
This can help ensure that the screener has established a solid base without moving while also giving the defender enough time/distance to avoid the screen if necessary.
Set the pick at an angle when possible
In most cases, the pick or on-ball screen should be set at an angle whenever possible.
The main objective there is to influence the on-ball defender, who is guarding the offensive player in possession of the ball, to fight over the top of the screen as opposed to going under it.
Generally speaking, when the on-ball defender can easily dodge the screen by simply going under it, that typically mitigates the overall effectiveness of the screen in the first place.
Nevertheless, it is possible for the offensive player who was using the on-ball screen to counter or “punish” the on-ball defender for going under it with a jump shot, especially from three-point range.
However, in terms of field goal percentage, the jump shot, on average, will almost always be a lower percentage shot when compared to a close-range shot such as layup or dunk that could be taken instead by the player (especially a post player) rolling to the basket.
It should be noted though that in terms of the flat ball screen, that is generally one of the few instances where it is suitable to NOT set the screen at an angle.
The main reasoning here is that because the flat ball screen is similar to a back screen (but an on-ball variation of it), the defender who would be the target of it would usually not be able to clearly see it coming from their vantage point as mentioned in an earlier section.
The diagrams below demonstrate a pick that is not set at an angle as well as a pick that is set at a slight angle. Notice the difference of the on-ball defender’s movement patterns between the two screens.
Example of a pick being set without an angle
On the diagram above, 2 sets a pick near the top but it is not set at an angle. This gives the defender, represented as X1, an opportunity to go under the screen more easily, to meet 1 on the opposite side.
When that occurs, the potency of the screen becomes less effective, specifically for 1 as it relates to attacking the rim.
In essence, when the offensive player in possession of the ball can’t drive to the basket, particularly at a good angle, it makes it more difficult to score points, either for themselves or via assists for other teammates such as the rolling player.
Example of the pick being set at an angle
On the diagram above, 2 sets a pick near the top at a slight angle. As a result, it is generally more difficult for X1 to go under the screen swiftly and without resistance.
Instead, when that defensive under action is employed, X1 could get “caught” on the screen, represented by the gray arrow, which then gives 1 an opportunity to dribble towards the basket and score at the rim.