tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213298060389132689.post-39405000938811943952007-06-12T14:37:00.000-07:002007-07-01T08:28:56.940-07:00If you watch the NBA nowadays, you'll notice that a lot of teams incorporate the pick and roll into their playbook. This play is one of the oldest plays, but still one of the most effective. The main reason is that it makes the defense have to make a decision... do you switch men on the screen, possibly creating a mismatch situation, or do you try to fight through the screen and risk being out of position to defend the player with the ball. One of the most important aspects for this type of play is to set a good screen. Even when someone is setting a screen for his teammate off the ball in the midst of a play, if the screen is not set properly, then the defender can properly defend the player and the play is not as effective.<br /><br />A good screen involves not only the screener, but also the person they are screening for. The person that is going to use the screen needs to set their man up so that the screener can get in good position to make the screen. If the person using the screen does not have the ball, then they need to position themselves such that their defender is in the spot where the screen is to take place. The person using the screen must then stand still so that the defender is still and the screener can track them down and position themselves so that they can screen the defender. If the person using the screen has the ball, then they have to manuver themselves with the ball such that they keep the defender still. This may require the ball handler to have their back towards the defender so they cannot swipe at the ball. If they handle the ball well enough, they can face the defender and keep them in one place without getting the ball stolen.<br /><br />The appropriate way for the screener to set the screen is to put their chest on the defenders shoulder. This way, it is difficult for the defender to slide through the screener because they have to work around the wide part of the body. The defender will have to either go over the top of the screen (following the person being screened) or go under (which gives space between the person using the screen and his man).<br /><br />Coaches need to pay special attention to their players when they screen. Don't be satisfied with lazy screens, where either the screener does not set a good screen or the person being screened for does not set their defender up for the screen. Make sure to point out these fine details and once players perform them properly, your plays will become that much more effective.lakeshowdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03396525825276193251noreply@blogger.com