Ball Screen (Pick & Roll)
Set and use a simple on-ball screen.
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.
- 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
- 1Screener sets a strong, still screen shoulder-to-shoulder with the chair.
- 2Ball-handler waits, then drives tight off the screener's shoulder.
- 3Screener rolls to the rim after the ball goes by.
- 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
Add live defenders on both players.
Use a chair or a coach standing still as the defender and just walk the timing through.
Let the screener choose roll or pop, and the ball-handler has to read it.