What is screen the screener in basketball
Screen the screener, also referred to as pick the picker, is an offensive basketball tactic that occurs when one particular player cuts to a certain area of the court to set an initial screen for a secondary player and after that, the initial screener seeks to get open via an additional screen.
Types of basketball screens that could possibly be implemented within screen the screener action include the on-ball screen and its variants as well as off-ball screens such as the cross screen, down screen, or elevator screen to name a few.
Why is screen the screener potentially effective
Screen the screener is potentially effective because it basically compels the defensive team to guard against two screening actions and at the same time, it creates multiple scoring options near the basket or near the perimeter for the offensive team.
Essentially, it is usually not much of a challenge for a defensive team to hinder or disrupt strategies of basketball offense that consist of only a small amount of screens or no screening actions at all.
However, if an offensive team implements screen the screener actions at some point within those respective strategies, then it is generally much more difficult for the defensive team to limit or prevent that offensive team’s scoring opportunities.
This is because screen the screener action includes at least two screening actions, which also basically means that at least two defenders would be the targets of those respective screens.
From there, if one of those targets are affected by the screen to one degree or another (e.g. the defender has trouble fighting through the screen or the defender gets totally caught on the screen), then this could cause defensive breakdowns.
When that happens, one or more offensive players could become open due to the screening actions or perhaps, a help defense rotation could occur, which would also leave other offensive players open, who were not necessarily involved in the original screening actions.
As a result, certain players of the offensive team would have one or more opportunities to score or alternatively, execute playmaking abilities, which could then lead to additional scoring options.
What are examples of half court screen the screener basketball plays
Example 1
This is an example of a half court basketball play initiated from the box set offense that features scoring options near the basket or near the perimeter.
To start, 1 dribbles toward the right side wing via an on-ball screen set by 4. As that happens, 5 cuts across the lane to the right side low post block by way of the cross screen set by 2.
Immediately following that, 2 cuts to the top via the elevator screen set by 3 and 4, which completes screen the screener action.
From that point, 5 could receive the ball from 1 and score near the basket, particularly by way of a low post move. Alternatively, 2 could receive the ball from 1 and take the three-point jump shot if that is open.
Example 2 – Part 1
This is an example of another basketball play initiated from a box formation that includes a pair of scoring options near the basket or near the perimeter.
To begin, 3 and 4 cut to the left side and right side wing areas via the down screens set by 5 and 2 respectively. Also, 5 and 2 fill the vacant low post areas previously occupied by 3 and 4.
Example 2 – Part 2
Next, 5 cuts to the right side wing via a cross screen set by 2. As that occurs, 4 cuts toward 1 as if to set an on-ball screen and at the same time, 1 dribbles toward 4 as if to receive an on-ball screen from 4.
However, 4 performs a ghost screen by cutting away from 1 just before setting the screen. From there, 1 continues to dribble towards the right side wing while 2 cuts to the top via the down screen set by 4, which finishes the action of screen the screener.
After that, 5 could receive the ball from 1 and score via a low post move. Moreover, as an alternative option, 2 could receive the ball from 1 and take the three-point jump shot if open.
Example 3
This is an example of a quick hitting basketball play initiated from the Horns offense that creates a scoring option near the rim.
To start, 5 cuts to the left slot via the ram screen set by 3 and afterwards, 1 dribbles toward the left side wing via the on-ball screen set by 5.
Furthermore, after setting the ram screen, 3 could fill the left side corner previously occupied by 5. Also, as that occurs, 2 executes a curl cut towards the basket via the wide pin down screen set by 4.
However, that is mainly false action to initially occupy the defense on the weak side. Following that, 5 rolls to the basket via the back screen set by 2, which is also Spain pick and roll action as well as screen the screener action.
After that, 5 could receive the ball from 1 and score near the rim via a layup or dunk.
Example 4 – Part 1
This is an example of another basketball play initiated from the Horns formation that produces various scoring options. To start, 1 dribbles toward the right slot area and as that happens, 3 cuts to the left slot via the wide pin down screen set by 5.
Additionally, 5 fills the left side corner after setting the wide pin down screen. Next, 3 receives the ball from 1 and afterwards, 2 rejects a wide pin down screen set by 4 and performs a backdoor cut towards the basket.
Following that, 2 could receive the ball from 3 and score near the rim. If 2 is not open, then 2 could continue the cut through to the left side low post block while 4 fills the right side corner.
Example 4 – Part 2
From that point, while 3 still has possession of the ball, 4 could cut to the right slot area via the pin down screen set by 1, who also fills the right side corner. Afterwards, 4 could receive the ball from 3 and take the three-point jump shot if that is open.
If 4 receives the ball but is not open to take the shot, then 5 could cut to the basket via the flex screen set by 2, which is also screen the screener action. Following that, 5 could receive the ball from 4 and score via a layup or dunk.
Example 5
This is an example of a basketball play initiated from the 1-4 low alignment that seeks to produce a high percentage scoring opportunity.
To begin, 1 dribbles toward the right side wing via the on-ball screen set by 5. At the same time, 2 cuts to the basket via the flex screen set by 4. However, that is false action.
In reality, 2 executes Spain pick and roll by setting a back screen for 5 who rolls to the basket. Moreover, when 5 rolls to the basket via the back screen, this also completes the screen the screener action as well.
From that point, 5 could receive the ball from 1 and score via a high percentage layup or dunk near the rim.