3 Ways to Defend a Ball Screen
Let’s dissect three ways to defend a ball screen (scroll to bottom if you prefer video descriptions).
Since these concepts can be a little difficult to explain using text I’ll use the below terminology for the entirety of this article.
- Player X1 = Ball handler.
- Player X2 = Screener.
- Player O1 = Defender on the ball.
- Player O2 = Defender on the screener.
If you’re a visual person (like me) there is video at the bottom of this article that you can skip to. It is under two minutes and shows you the three ways to defend a ball screen using game footage.
OPTION 1: SHOW / HEDGE (OR DON’T)
Showing, or hedging, as it’s more commonly referred to, is designed to contain the ball handler and limit their ability to drive to the basket or get an open shot off the ball screen.
So… the hedging responsibility goes to Player O2. Their job is to jump out on the ball handler enough to guide them away from the basket or return them back to Player O1.
Once Player O2 has successfully impeded the progress of Player X1, they can recover back to guard Player X2. While Player O2 is recovering back and getting in the passing lane, Player O1 continues guarding Player X1 – see video below.
ELIMINATE THE HEDGE:
If Player X1 is not a good shooter there is a much simpler way to go about this. Have Player O1 go under the ball screen. This gives Player X1 an open shot, which you shouldn’t mind, and removes all worries of splitting Players O1 and O2 or leaving Player O2 susceptible to foul trouble trying to guard a quicker player. To make things easier, it is helpful to have Player O2 step back to create a gap for O1 to go under the screen – see video below.
WHEN I’D USE OPTION 1:
If your team is just starting out then Option 1 is the way I would teach ball screen defense. Sticking with one uniform way will limit confusion, mismatches and give you one consistent talking point. Your players will appreciate the consistency.
The beautiful thing about this strategy is that you can use it for any ball screen you see for the entire season. I like to make a rule that you hedge everything unless I say “GO UNDER” (or we may determine before the game which players we go under for).
The more practice your players get, the better they will understand the proper angles for hedging and the right timing to recover back to guard their original players. When done properly there are no resulting mismatches to be concerned about.
WHAT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF:
Depending on personnel it may be difficult for Player O2 to slow down Player X1 and properly hedge. However, if that is the case then options 2 and 3 will get even uglier.
If either offensive player is a good shooter they may take advantage of that split second where the defensive players are recovering back to guard their players. The more practice you get at this the better your players timing will be and their ability to force the ball handler away and out of shooting range.
Player O2 should not hedge too aggressively (too far) or Player X1 will simply split (penetrate between) Players O1 and O2.
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OPTION 2: SWITCH
Switching is the simplest option to defending a ball screen. If Player X1 uses the screen then the defenders switch who they are guarding. Player O2 now guards the ball handler and Player O1 stays with the screener.
WHEN I’D USE OPTION 2:
There are two scenarios in which I would switch a ball screen.
A. Your team is so athletic or interchangeable that switching won’t result in mismatches.
B. Your team is smart enough and communicates well enough to read each ball screen independently and can switch based on matchups. Mainly we don’t want a slow post player defending a quick guard on the perimeter.
If A is true of your team and B scares you, then go with option 1.
WHAT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF:
Switching can become predictable and lead to big mismatches. If you’re playing a smart team most ball screens will lead to a post player defending a guard and a guard defending a post player. For the most part, that is not a recipe for an efficient defense. It becomes too easy to hunt for mismatches on the perimeter and in the post.
OPTION 3: TEMPORARY SWITCH THEN RECOVER
This is a hybrid of the previous two options. It is designed to confuse the offense. You want to make it look like you’re switching but you only do it for a second or two before you recover. The difference between this option and Option 2 is that Player O2 doesn’t impede Player X1’s progress quite as aggressively, they simply shuffle with Player X1 until Player O1 recovers back and yells ‘BACK, BACK, BACK’.
WHEN I’D USE OPTION 3:
Only if you have an elite team… even then I would use this option in small doses – it’s a great way to confuse the offense and give them an unexpected look. Practice it a lot (if you’re going to use it) but I’d only use it a handful of times throughout a game.
WHAT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF:
A lot of things need to be perfect for this option to work – the timing and effort of Players O1 and O2, the positioning of the help defense and the player’s communication. In my experience the more ‘perfect pieces’ required to the puzzle the less likely you are to complete it.
BONUS! OPTION 4: DOUBLE TEAM
There is another way to defend the ball screen and that is to jump out at Player X1 with both defenders (O1 and O2) to double team, stop progress, make a pass difficult or get the ball out of the hands of Player X1. This option relies a lot more on positioning, help defense and the location of the ball screen so I’ll probably cover this in a separate article.
KEEP DEVELOPING
You may be able to envision which option will work best for your team, but if not, just close your eyes and imagine these scenarios with different opponents. Which option will give your team the best chance for success? Later in the season you can always add some new wrinkles to keep challenging and developing your players. Best of luck!
FULL VIDEO HERE
