Spread Ball Screen Options - Guest Post from Tucker and Thorson
Utilizing your players on the 2 side when running spread ball screen
In this week’s post, we had Tucker and Thorson, one of my favorite Twitter follows, write a guest post about the Spread Ball Screen and all kinds of different options, reads, and concepts that can come from that - specifically off the 2 side (when the ball screen dribbler is coming towards players on the wing and corner)
This is an account run by Taylor Tucker (assistant at Des Moines Area CC) and Alex Thorson (head coach at Kankakee CC).
You can check their YouTube channel out here (you absolutely should subscribe)
If you’re a ballscreen coach, this is a must-read.
If you’re a basketball guy on Twitter, they are a must-follow!
Let’s dig in:
Spread Ball Screens- Actions off the 2 side
Note: if some of these terms or concepts aren’t clear to you, please use the videos as assistance!
45 Dive and Fill
pens up the corner man by moving the low defender from 2 passes away to 1 pass away quickly and can create a shot or closeout to attack
removes “Nail & Gap” help and can make the low man hesitant on committing to a tag
is a good counter to an exchange when defenses switch these; cutter option can be available here
can be used to emphasize either roll man or ball handler, depending on where the 45 cutter exits
if cutter exits to opposite corner, space is created for the ball handler
if cutter stops on block & relocates ball side corner, space is given to the roller
Wheel Action
counters heavy Nail & Gap help
opens a wing shooter by allowing the shooter to shift into space
emphasizes the ball hander option by giving him space to attack a single side
can be good action off a throwback & swing as the baseline cutter’s man gets caught up in the tag
Pin & Shift
similar to Wheel Action, except there are more options for the roll man (no one cutting toward him).
ball handler still has space to attack rim while defense is occupied with pin
this can limit the kick option and when the ball is kicked, the wing has less space to drive and attack a closeout
Exchange
occupies the defense and allows the ball handler to get deeper with their penetration
does not take away any ball screen options, occupies the defense for ball handler to get to rim, doesn’t bring another defender to the weakside to tag, and can create confusion for the kick option
even if switched can draw enough attention to make gap help late
good kick options - especially if defense commits to help on the ball handler or tag
Pindown
good way to utilize a non-shooter on the wing; utilizes personnel strengths
occupies the defense to allow ball handler to get to rim; good kick option for shooter coming off the screen.
Flare
good way to utilize a non-shooter in the corner.
can occupy defense and create space for ball handler to attack; good kick option because the screen comes from the blindside.
Stampede
good way to utilize a slasher/non-shooter
good counter when teams don’t want to guard the wing.
General Thoughts
Who are you trying to get open? Some actions give space to the ball handler while taking space from the roller and vice versa; who do you want scoring?
What is your personnel? The goal is typically to create space & occupy the defense. How are you utilizing both shooters & non-shooters to creates space & counter defense?
Why is moving the nail is key? You don’t want the nail stopping the ball handler early without penalty. When the ball handler is stopped early, the hedge/show is not engaged. When the hedge is engaged, a tag is required and the dominoes begin to fall.
Do you need anything other than spacing? More movement isn’t always better. Sometimes movement clogs space (depending on personnel). While more movement can be confusing to a defense it can also confuse the offense. Too much movement off the ball can make reads for the ball handler more difficult. Sometimes simpler is better. If you have shooters that create gravity, simply spacing them might be best. Less movement can allow some players to play free & aggressive without overthinking.
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