2-on-2 with a Screen

Scrimmage/finisher

Use an on-ball screen to create a shot, 2-on-2 live.

12 min groups of 4 Half court
FootworkTeamworkDefenseU12U14U16

Read & react

groups of 4 · 1 ball, half court

Get everyone ready

Set the screenThe screener sets a strong, still screen on the ball defender. 12X1X2

● Player / attack■ DefenceGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Two offence, two defence, half court.

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

Look for: Set and use a real screen.

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

Two offence, two defence, half court.

  1. Offence must use a ball screen before scoring.
  2. Screener sets it, then rolls or pops.
  3. Base coverage: the ball defender goes over the top of the screen and the screener's defender drops — call it out loud.
  4. Play live to a make or stop, then rotate.

Suggested reset

Stop on a make, turnover, foul, ball out or controlled rebound. A defender retrieves and passes to the next handler; swap the attacking pair with the defending pair. After both possessions, swap handler and screener roles. Waiting pairs enter between possessions after the ball and players are reset.

Coaching cues

  • Set and use a real screen.
  • Talk on defence — call the screen.
  • Roller sprints to the rim.

Adapt the challenge

Easier: Defence goes at half-speed to teach coverage.

Harder: Defence must switch every screen so the offence has to hunt the mismatch.

Slip it: If the defender jumps early, the screener slips straight to the rim instead of screening.

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.

What good looks like
  • 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

  1. 1Offence must use a ball screen before scoring.
  2. 2Screener sets it, then rolls or pops.
  3. 3Base coverage: the ball defender goes over the top of the screen and the screener's defender drops — call it out loud.
  4. 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

Easier

Defence goes at half-speed to teach coverage.

Harder

Defence must switch every screen so the offence has to hunt the mismatch.

Slip it

If the defender jumps early, the screener slips straight to the rim instead of screening.

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