How to Use a Flat Ball Screen to Score from the Point

On a flat ball screen, the majority of the players are good enough to beat their primary defender and finish at the rim efficiently enough. However, to be considered "on another level" as the media likes to declare some ballers, players must also learn how to deal with and finish against a help-side defender.

Instructions:

1. Place a chair or cone at the top of the key. The chair or the cones are going to represent the feet of the screener.

2. Player 1 has the ball on offense and he will start at half-court.

3. Player 2 is a weak-side defender and he is going to start diagonally from Player 1.

4. The drill starts when Player 1 attacks with the dribble penetration, does a hesitation move one way then gets even with the cones (the use of the ball screen).

5. When Player 1 is attacking the rim, Player 2 sprints to the opposite block and then run up to contest and defend Player 1.

6. If Player 1 scores, they do not change roles.

7. If Player 2 gets a stop, they then rotate.

Basic 3 Reads To Help You With the Finishes

After your players have mastered the mechanics of using the flat ball screen, then it is time to teach them how to read the defense and finish depending on how the defense has positioned itself.

1. If Defender stays back = Pull Up Jumper or Floater

2. If Defender picks one side of the basket = Euro step

3. If Defender opens a lane to the basket = Attack the basket and finish with taking contact

Points of Emphasis

The key to effective use of a flat ball screen is in the art of getting the primary defender below the screen. Once a defender is glued on the screen, it is difficult to reconnect on defense.

If they manage to get skinny on the screen and somehow get out, the ball handler should look for a shoulder to shoulder contact with the screener, allowing less space possible for the defender to slip. This leads getting off the primary defender and creating some easy scoring opportunities for the screener.

Prioritize scoring! There are times when the action will demand a good pass for the rolling big or a kick-out for an open corner three-pointer, but the focus should be for the guard to score.

Players should be trained to scan the floor and to be able to locate the help-side defender as soon as they turn active. Learning to read the help-side defender will lead to better decision making and ultimately to producing more scoring chances for the team.

Drill Tips:

The ball handler have to dribble below the chair level. This is crucial as it sets up the foundation of the drill which has a goal to beat a primary defense and to activate a help defender.

Let the drill be hard for the guard. Put him on pressure by changing stance and giving him different options.

Drill Variations:

• Make It Competitive - Count the score or play short games to 3 or 4.
• Change the angle of the ball screen and place the help-side defender in different positions. This will challenge the decisions of the primary defense, which will automatically make new situations for both offense and defense.
• Add more players to the drill. Add a shooter in the corner, add screen defender, make him hard hedge, show, go in a drop. This will impact decision making like nothing else.
• Support The Mistakes by explaining and showing how to play it the right way.
• Limit dribbles after the screen.

If you want to teach your kids some next level finishing moves, take a peek at the video and the link below:

If you want to learn more about using screens on offense, go rent a DVD by clicking on the link below: