Pick & Pop

Skill drill

Screen for the ball, then pop out for an open shot instead of rolling.

10 min pairs + a passer Half court
ShootingTeamworkU14U16

Read & react

pairs + a passer · 1 ball, 1 hoop

Get everyone ready

Set the ball screenThe screener sets a solid screen for the ball-handler. 12X1X2

● Player / attack■ DefenceGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

A ball-handler up top and a screener beside them who can shoot.

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

Look for: Screener: make real contact, then step out with balance.

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

A ball-handler up top and a screener beside them who can shoot.

  1. Screener sets a solid on-ball screen.
  2. Ball-handler drives off it to draw both defenders.
  3. Screener pops back out to open space instead of rolling.
  4. Ball-handler passes back for the catch-and-shoot.

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: make real contact, then step out with balance.
  • Pop to a spot where you're ready to shoot.
  • Ball-handler: draw two defenders before you pass.

Adapt the challenge

Easier: No defence — groove the timing and the catch-and-shoot.

Harder: Defenders hedge the screen so the pop is truly open.

Drop coverage: Tell the big to drop instead of hedging so the pop is wide open at the top.

Scoring twist: Score two for a made pop shot and one for a rim finish so they hunt the pop.

What this drill teaches

The screener as a scorer. By popping to space instead of rolling, the screener learns that a good screen earns THEM a shot — and the ball-handler learns to drag two defenders before giving it up.

In games: Stops ball-screen offence being one-dimensional — when defences sag to stop the roll, your team has the counter, and a shooting big becomes a genuine weapon.

What good looks like
  • Real screen contact before the pop, not a drive-by
  • Screener stepping out balanced, hands ready to shoot
  • Ball-handler waiting until two defenders commit before passing back

U14: groove the timing with no defence — the pop often comes too early. U16: expect the pop to be a read against hedge or drop coverage, not a script.

Equipment

1 ball, 1 hoop

Setup

A ball-handler up top and a screener beside them who can shoot.

Steps

  1. 1Screener sets a solid on-ball screen.
  2. 2Ball-handler drives off it to draw both defenders.
  3. 3Screener pops back out to open space instead of rolling.
  4. 4Ball-handler passes back for the catch-and-shoot.

Coaching points

  • Screener: make real contact, then step out with balance.
  • Pop to a spot where you're ready to shoot.
  • Ball-handler: draw two defenders before you pass.

Why kids love it

The counter to the roll — once a team can pick-and-pop, ball-screen defence becomes a guessing game.

Variations

Easier

No defence — groove the timing and the catch-and-shoot.

Harder

Defenders hedge the screen so the pop is truly open.

Drop coverage

Tell the big to drop instead of hedging so the pop is wide open at the top.

Scoring twist

Score two for a made pop shot and one for a rim finish so they hunt the pop.

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