Rick Torbett's Read & React Ball Screen Action

It all looks easy when the PRO's are doing it, so now we will brake down some of the plays and explain the Read and React to the detail.

The action starts with the player making a pass on to one side, and that side becomes active side.

As there are 2 players on the ball side, the player that gave the first pass must Read the game, and conclude:

1. left corner is off limits because there are 2 players already on that side - if there is a third player there you loose good offensive geometry, nobody on that side can receive the ball 

2. I should open a passing lane by running the middle of the court - give a passing option to your players

3. there is a Center coming on the elbow, that could lead to a pick and roll, if I don't receive the ball I can screen for him and make a defense do some extra work, maybe even get a switch 

4. after that screen I need to go to the right corner and make a good offensive geometry - option for the swing the ball offense, make the extra pass and get an open shot from the corner

After first set of movement ball ended up on the wing, and the 2 players ended up near the ball, one on the point and one on the elbow. 

The right things to do are:

1. The player from the point should open a passing lane by running in front of the player that is on the elbow (green line) - open space for pick and roll and make another passing option for pick and roll, if the ball handler  get's hard hedged and there is a need for a pass in the corner 

2. the player that was in the corner on the ball side to switch sides (red line) - free the space, keep the defense on the move- it is not a mistake if he stays there but then the player from the point needs to go to the opposite corner

3. the player from the passive corner to climb up to the Point  (blue line) - open passing lane if there is a switch on the screen and we have advantage in the paint, it is better to go for a direct pass then the lob over the switching center

After this set of movement we have a pick and roll situation.

The good moves on this setup are:

1. The player on the point should run to the ball side corner (yellow line) 

2. The player from ball side corner should run to the opposite corner (blue line)

3. The player from the passive corner must go towards the wing/point position to open the passing lane for the ball handler 

After pick and roll, the point should continue movement through the paint, the screener must role to the basket with the hands up.

The guard that was cutting through the paint before pick and roll will climb to the wing on the opposite side of the ball. 

If the ball goes to the corner, right plays are:

1. player that made the pass needs to cut (red line) because there is a Center climbing to the high post 

2. the player that is on the low post needs to go to opposite corner (green line) to free space for the cutter 

3. the player on the wing of the weak side of the action must climb to the Point (yellow line) to give a passing option for the player with the ball

If the ball goes again on the Point position, there is a option for another pick and roll, so the player that gave up the ball will switch sides.

1. We have a pick and roll situation where defending Center was late to do anything because he was on a constant movement and watching on cutters 

2. our guard with the ball was in the act of movement while receiving the ball so his defender was a bit late

Both of this actions lead to the miss match that lead to open shot and easy points. 

Let us see the whole video now: