Defending screens

In previous posts, the defending of ballscreens has been covered. This post covers defending screens away from the ball, specifically a down screen and a baseline screen. Points to consider:

• with either a down screen or baseline screen, especially if the screen is set by a big, the defense must avoid separation from the screener
• screeners will look to a seal and post up defenders as soon as they have space to do so (can establish and win a foot fight on or near the lane)
• therefore, screen defenders should hold close to the screen and defenders of cutters should chase on down screens or baseline screens
  
• chasing off a down screen is more aggressive, avoids defenders getting jammed in the lane, and does not allow a reception and step back shot by cutter
• chasing a baseline screen is again more aggressive and avoids a middle jam of a defender going over the top, plus does not allow the cutter to fade off the screen to an uncontested shot (along the baseline)
  
• chasing cutters means that the screen and cutter defenders stay with their respective responsibilities (defensively much more aggressive)
  
• to further improve the action, the three defenders not involved in the screen need to help it in every way possible (jam cutter, bluff coverage, see it, talk, etc.)