2-on-2 with a Screen
Use an on-ball screen to create a shot, 2-on-2 live.
What this drill teaches
Screens with real defenders — where the timing, the contact and the talk all matter. Requiring a screen before any score means both pairs get a screen rep every single possession, on offence and defence.
In games: Teams that have never defended a screen give up layups every time one appears — this makes both using screens and calling coverage normal before game day.
- Still, braced screens the dribbler actually uses
- Defenders calling the screen out loud before it lands
- The screener sprinting to the rim after the ball goes by
U12: half-speed defence while the coverage gets learned — confusion is normal. U14–U16: expect switching defences, slips against early jumpers, and mismatch hunting.
Equipment
1 ball, half court
Setup
Two offence, two defence, half court.
Steps
- 1Offence must use a ball screen before scoring.
- 2Screener sets it, then rolls or pops.
- 3Base coverage: the ball defender goes over the top of the screen and the screener's defender drops — call it out loud.
- 4Play live to a make or stop, then rotate.
Coaching points
- Set and use a real screen.
- Talk on defence — call the screen.
- Roller sprints to the rim.
Why kids love it
Introduces screen actions and screen defence in a small, teachable setting.
Variations
Defence goes at half-speed to teach coverage.
Defence must switch every screen so the offence has to hunt the mismatch.
If the defender jumps early, the screener slips straight to the rim instead of screening.