Screening

What is screening?

A screen is a blocking move by an offensive player, by standing beside or behind a defender, to free a teammate to shoot, receive a pass, or drive in to score. In basketball and field lacrosse, it is also known as a pick. Screens can be on-ball (when set for the ball-handler), or off-ball (when set for a teammate moving without the ball to get open for a pass). The two offensive players involved in setting the screen are known as the screener (who blocks the defender) and the cutter (who gets free from the defender).

Teaching how to screen

It is better not to start with screening for youth in the U16 age group, here are a few reasons for:

• Fundamentals: children first have to learn to get open with efficient footwork and other fundamentals
• Tactics: players must first learn to get themselves in position, to move and to make room for each other.
• Educational: as a coach you want to explain everything step by step, first the basic movements and fundamentals have to be learned
• Without screens: even without screens, a good offense can be played based on good spacing, technical fundamentals and simple interaction.