Screen Without Screening

I have what may be a controversial thought to many coaches – a screen does not need actual physical contact to be effective. I'll understand if you don't read any further, but hear me out!

The purpose of the ball screen is to create an advantage. That could be for the ball handler, the roller or one of the players outside the screen. That is often accomplished without actual physical contact by the screener on the on-ball defender. Here's some examples from some early season play in Spain:

Screen Without Screening

In the clips in the video above, note how the screener "gets out of it" as soon as he sees that the on-ball defender intends to go over the screen.

By "getting out of it" quickly, the roller puts pressure on his defender to get back to him. This can help the ball handler get downhill by eliminating the show by the screener's defender.

Quickly sprinting to the rim out of the ball screen may also elicit a tag from a third defender thus creating an advantage for a player outside the ball screen.

If the screener "gets out of it" quickly, they are immediately available for a pass (a pocket pass, for example) while diving to the rim.

Most importantly, the ball screen - even without contact - has done its job by getting two on the ball and forcing a response by the defense.

Terminology and Teaching Points

I have also described the idea of screening without screening as a "running slip." The screener takes aim at the "back pocket" of the on-ball defender, running into the screen and slipping out of it. They may make no contact at all, or slightly "clip the hip" of the on-ball defender.

The speed at which the roller "gets out if it" is our weapon. This is what creates the confusion and pressure on the defense.

Don't use the reverse pivot style roll, use the "pick-and-go" method where screener dives out of it immediately looking over the inside shoulder.

Final Thoughts

A good defender is not going to allow themselves to get screened. That is not to say a coach is wrong for insisting on contact. It may just be unrealistic. Do you accept "but Coach, I got screened" from your players?

With this concept we are exploiting how the defender chooses to miss the screen. If they navigate over the screen, we get out of right away. We are creating the advantage by screening without screening.