Offense - using ball screens

If players remember only one word when thinking about ball screens, it should be 'patience' (especially on the offensive side of the ball). Players need to remind themselves that they are not able to read and react with effective moves if they are hurrying and rushing the ball screen action. Yes, screeners do need to sprint screens, and ball handlers need to make a quick and decisive move (after their read) but overall the action needs to have patience as a guide. From an offensive standpoint, some ball screen scenarios follow:

• in every case, the screen needs to be above (further from the scoring hoop) the ball (conversely, the ball needs to begin below the screen)
• the player receiving the screen needs to be a good reader (of movement and defensive positioning)
  
• the ball handler needs to be patient and wait for the screen to be set (VERY important)
• the screener must get low and wide and take up plenty of space
• offensive players need to remember that hitting their OWN player is NOT a foul
  
• beyond making the correct read, the ball handler and screener must look to create space
• reject the screen - if the ball defender goes under the screen (with a plan to meet the ball on the screening side) and the screen defender hedges then both defenders should be far enough removed from the ball that the ball handler should look to attack the rim in a straight line (but may need to "sell" acceptance of the screen first)
• play behind the screen - if the ball defender goes under the screen (sold based on previous movement) and the screen defender zones off (drops to the lane) the screen then the ball handler will have the opportunity to use their screener as enough of a wall and then shoot behind that screen (a tough shot in basketball, needs to be practiced, very effective)
  
• accept the screen - if the ball defender chases over the screen then the ball handler will have the opportunity to attack their screener's outside shoulder and drive to the rim (not allowing space for the defender to get between the ball and the screen, thus keeping the defender behind the ball), the screen defender needs to then space to the right area away from the defense (either roll opposite or flare or pop back)
• split the screen - if the ball handler chases over top of the screener and the screen defender hedges but does not hang on to the screener then the ball handler will have an opportunity to split that gap between their screener and the screen defender (with the ball defender chasing behind them), again look to attack and the screener should space