What does slip the screen mean in basketball
Slip the screen, also referred to as a slip screen, consists of action that occurs when a certain offensive player initially begins to set a screen on a particular defender but then, that same offensive player swiftly cuts to the basket, typically before the screen is completely set.
Basically, to provide even more clarity, a screener would initially cut to an area of the court to set a certain type of basketball screen for a teammate.
From that point, in the case of an on-ball screen, the screener could generally slip to the basket before an offensive player in possession of the ball fully utilizes that same on-ball screen.
Conversely, in the case of an off-ball screen, the screener could typically slip to the basket during the moment of time when the screen cutter is either parallel or slightly behind them.
Afterwards, the screener that slipped to the basket could receive the ball for a possible scoring opportunity near the rim.
Why is slipping the screen potentially useful
Slipping the screen is potentially useful because it could mitigate the effects of the defensive hedge or neutralize defensive switching, which could then lead to additional scoring opportunities, especially near the basket.
Basically, a screener could consider slipping to the basket for a possible high percentage scoring opportunity if the screener’s defender tries to hedge or switch assignments with the defender who would be the target of the screen.
Mitigate defensive hedge during on-ball screen action
This is a general description of how the screener could slip an on-ball screen to mitigate a defensive hedge near the perimeter areas of the court.
To begin, let’s say that the screener decides to initially set an on-ball screen for a teammate who has possession of the ball in the middle of the floor at the top.
Furthermore, let’s also say that the defender who is guarding the screener decides to execute a defensive hedge to nullify the effectiveness of the on-ball screen, particularly to limit or prevent dribble penetration.
When that occurs, the screener could counter the hedge action by slipping to the basket. As a result, this could create a sufficient amount of separation between the screener and the screener’s defender who executed the hedge.
Put another way, when the defender who executes the hedge gets above the on-ball screen (as with a hard hedge) or stays level with the screen (as with a soft hedge), this means that the hedging defender’s offensive assignment (i.e. the screener) would be below them (in the case of the hard hedge) or at the very least, near their side (in the case of the soft hedge) respectively.
The problem though, for the hedging defender is that the screener could slip to the basket with little to no resistance because as mentioned previously, the hedging defender would be either above the screener or level with the screener, but not below the screener to prevent an easy cut towards the basket.
From there, the screener could receive the ball and score near the basket, particularly with a layup or dunk.
Related: International Basketball- Slipping Ball Screens – YouTube
Neutralize defensive switching during on-ball screen action
This is a general description of how a screener could slip an on-ball screen to neutralize the effectiveness of defensive switching.
To start, let’s say that the screener decides to initially set an on-ball screen for a teammate who has possession of the ball in the middle of the floor at the top.
Moreover, let’s also say that the defender who is guarding the screener opts to implement defensive switching, particularly with the on-ball defender who would be guarding the offensive player in possession of the ball.
When that occurs, the screener could counter the switching tactic by slipping to the basket. As a result, the screener’s defender would now be covering the offensive player in possession of the ball while the original on-ball defender would then be essentially compelled to cover the screener.
However, the main issue is that prior to the switch, the original on-ball defender would be initially above the screener. This effectively means that as the switch occurs, the screener would have little to no resistance and could therefore have a brief window of opportunity to slip towards the basket.
Afterwards, the screener could receive the ball and score around the rim, generally via a high percentage layup or dunk.
Neutralize defensive switching during off-ball screen action
This is a general description of how a screener could slip certain types of off-ball screens, especially the down screen, to neutralize defensive switching.
To begin, let’s say that the screener decides to set an off-ball screen, particularly a wide pin down screen for a teammate who would be currently filling one of the corners near the baseline.
Additionally, let’s say that the screener’s defender decides to switch onto the offensive player, initially in the corner, to prevent that same corner player from getting open near the perimeter for a potential jump shot.
When that occurs, the screener who set the initial off-ball wide pin down screen could slip to the basket.
The reason this could be favorable for the offensive team is because the screen cutter (i.e. the corner player) as well as the off-ball defender who was initially guarding the screen cutter would generally be parallel or behind the screener as the slip action occurs.
Simply put, if the screener’s defender decides to switch this particular wide pin down screen, then that would create a negative situation for the screen cutter’s defender.
Essentially, the screen cutter’s defender would not be able to offer adequate defensive pressure or resistance as the screener’s defender slips to the basket.
From that point, the screener who slipped to the basket could receive the ball and score via a high percentage field goal attempt, notably a layup or dunk.
What are basic examples of slip the screen offensive action
Example 1
This is a very simple example of slip the screen action that could occur as a counter to defensive switching. To begin, 3 cuts toward the right side wing area via the wide pin down screen set by 5.
When that occurs, X5 decides to switch assignments with X3, which means that X5 would guard 3 and X3 would cover 5. However, 5 counters that defensive switch by slipping to the basket.
Also, as that slip action occurs, X3 probably would not be able to cut in front of 5 to contest possible field goal attempts. Therefore, 5 could receive the ball from 1 and potentially score at the rim.
Furthermore, it should also be mentioned that if a weak side defender, particularly X4, attempts to prevent an uncontested field goal attempt by offering help defense in the lane, then 4 could possibly receive the ball by way of a kick pass executed by 5. Afterwards, 4 could take the three-point jump shot if that is open.
Example 2
This is a basic example of slip the screen action with elements that are reminiscent of the Pistol offense as well as screen the screener action and defensive switching. To start, 1 dribbles toward the right side wing via the extended step-up screen set by 2.
Next, 2 cuts to the top via the flare screen set by 5 but as that happens, X5 decides to switch with X2 to take away a potential wide open jump shot once 2 receives the ball from 1.
However, 5 reads the defense and counters the switch tactic by slipping to the basket. Also, as the slip occurs, X2 will probably not be able to quickly move in front of 5 to contest possible field goal attempts. Therefore, 5 could receive the ball from 2 and score near the basket.