Using Off Ball Screens
Simple tactics to create more buckets
The Importance of Playing Off Ball
Luka Doncic has the highest time of possession per game in the NBA at 9.1 minutes. He plays 36.2 minutes per game. Let's just say half of the game, he is playing defense. That leaves us with 18.1 minutes on the offensive end.
That means even Luka spends roughly half of his time on the offensive end without the ball in his hands.
In comparison, Klay Thompson plays 33 minutes per game and his time of possession is just 1.7 minutes. Which puts us at a rough estimation of 82% of the time when he is on the offensive end of the floor, he doesn’t have the ball.
These are just two examples, but it’s clear that no matter who you are, the majority of your time on offense is off ball. If you’re looking to improve your game as quickly as possible, that’s where you should start.
Off Ball Screens
There are several types of off ball screens that happen in every basketball game. The screener can face the baseline, face the sideline, it could be a flare screen, a hammer screen, etc.
The majority of the example below show a down screen with the screener facing the baseline. However, all of these techniques can be applied to any type of off ball screen.
I will break down the next section in two parts: Setting up your defender, and how to read your defender
Setting up your defender - The idea here is to get your defender trailing you. You want to make it difficult for them to stay attached and blow up the screen.
Change of pace - this is effective for several reasons. First, it makes is more difficult for your defender to predict what you are doing. Take a hard step towards your screen, pause, then go again. It keeps the defender guessing. It also can help you read the floor. Using this technique will slow you down. This gives a split second to process what everyone else is doing and make the best decision possible.
Misdirection - this is one simple. Give your defender a jab in the opposite direction before starting your cut off the screen. Selling the jab will get your defender moving in the wrong direction, giving you the space you need to use the screen. Your defender will be chasing at full speed, causing them to be out of control, giving you the advantage
Reading the screen - What do you do once you get to the point of the screen? It all depends on how your defender guards.
Curl - curl the screen when your defender trails. You can now get between them and the basket, putting them at a disadvantage. If your screener’s defender doesn’t help, you may be able to curl all the way to the rim. If they show, you may have the space you need for a catch and shoot, one dribble pull up, or floater. Maybe you draw that second defender, and dump it off to your screener. Making the right read doesn’t always mean you take the shot. It means you get the best shot for your team.
Flare - flare when your defender shoots the gap. Shooting the gap is when the defender detaches, and goes through the opposite side of the screen. Especially if you are a good shooter, this is a mistake you must make them pay for. You do that by using a flare cut. This means at the point of the screen, you sell like your are going to curl with a hard step toward your passer, then find the space behind the screen. The ball should arrive before your defender can recover. Once again, you either have a shot, or you will draw a second defender, and you drop it off to a teammate.
Back cut - the back cut can be used to take advantage of an overly aggressive defender. Let’s say you are having a hard time setting up your defender like we discussed earlier. They are staying attached and playing on your top side. This is a great time to use the back cut. Your defender is too focused on not letting you use the screen, so you need to use that against them.
By adding these skills to your game, you become a constant threat. You will get better and better at making these reads and finding space. Over time, you will find that you’re creating much better shots for yourself and your teammates because of your movement.
The real magic happens when you have 5 players on the floor who all understand these concepts. Go back and watch film on teams like the Spurs and Warriors and you’ll see how many easy looks they create with off ball screens.
How to Improve
Improve your use of pin downs through a simple progression. First, practice these cuts without a defender. Set a chair on the wing, and have a passer at the top of the key. If you are by yourself, you may have to pass to yourself.
Practice each type of cut. CUT HARD. This does no good if you jog around the chair and take a lazy layup. Visualize setting up your defender, give them a bump, curl hard.
Mix up your shots. 5 reps with a finish on the right side, 5 with the left, 5 floaters, 5 one dribble pull ups, 5 catch and shoot.
Do the same with flare and back cuts.
Now add a defender. Start on the block, and play one on one with the chair in the same place. If you’re the defender, mix it up. Sometimes trail, sometimes shoot the gap, sometimes try to keep them from using the screen all together. It’s the offensive players job to read and react.
This version of 1 on 1 with improve your game 10x more than just checking it up at the top of the key (although there is a time for that as well).
References
https://www.nba.com/stats/players/touches?TeamID=1610612744&Season=2022-23