Ball Screen (Pick & Roll)

Skill drill

Set and use a simple on-ball screen.

8 min pairs Half court
FootworkTeamworkU12U14U16

Read & react

pairs · 1 ball, 1 hoop, chair/cone

Get everyone ready

Set the ball screenUnopposed two-player introduction. 2 stops beside the imaginary on-ball defender; 1 waits until the screen is stationary before using it. 12

● Player / attackGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

A ball-handler up top, a screener beside them, and a chair or cone standing in as the defender being screened.

A coached example. In live play, players make their own decisions; the outcome can change.

Look for: Screener: wide base, stay still, don't move into contact.

Playback options
Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×
Coach’s notes & group organisation

A ball-handler up top, a screener beside them, and a chair or cone standing in as the defender being screened.

  1. Screener sets a strong, still screen shoulder-to-shoulder with the chair.
  2. Ball-handler waits, then drives tight off the screener's shoulder.
  3. Screener rolls to the rim after the ball goes by.
  4. Ball-handler scores or hits the roller.

Suggested reset

The finisher retrieves the ball and returns outside the screen lane. Swap handler and screener before the next rep; place any chair safely back at its mark while play is stopped. Extra pairs wait outside the active court and replace the pair after both have tried each role.

Coaching cues

  • Screener: wide base, stay still, don't move into contact.
  • Dribbler: set up the screen, come off shoulder-to-shoulder.
  • Roll hard to the rim after the screen.

Adapt the challenge

Harder: Add live defenders on both players.

Easier: Use a chair or a coach standing still as the defender and just walk the timing through.

Screener's Choice: Let the screener choose roll or pop, and the ball-handler has to read it.

What this drill teaches

The two halves of basketball's most-run play: a screener who arrives, stops and stays legal, and a ball-handler who waits and drives shoulder-to-shoulder off the screen. The chair keeps it simple enough to groove the timing.

In games: Teams meet ball screens constantly from about U12 up — players who can set and use one create open shots all game instead of dribbling into a set defence.

What good looks like
  • Screener wide, still and braced before the dribbler moves
  • Dribbler brushing the screener's shoulder — no gap for a defender
  • The screener rolling hard to the rim, not standing to watch

U12: walk the timing on the chair — early drives and drifting screens are normal. U14–U16: expect it live against defenders, with the screener choosing roll or pop.

Equipment

1 ball, 1 hoop, chair/cone

Setup

A ball-handler up top, a screener beside them, and a chair or cone standing in as the defender being screened.

Steps

  1. 1Screener sets a strong, still screen shoulder-to-shoulder with the chair.
  2. 2Ball-handler waits, then drives tight off the screener's shoulder.
  3. 3Screener rolls to the rim after the ball goes by.
  4. 4Ball-handler scores or hits the roller.

Coaching points

  • Screener: wide base, stay still, don't move into contact.
  • Dribbler: set up the screen, come off shoulder-to-shoulder.
  • Roll hard to the rim after the screen.

Why kids love it

The pick and roll is basketball's most common play — a great intro for older teams.

Variations

Harder

Add live defenders on both players.

Easier

Use a chair or a coach standing still as the defender and just walk the timing through.

Screener's Choice

Let the screener choose roll or pop, and the ball-handler has to read it.

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