Τhis article, is about how to start teaching screens.
First, a coach has to teach young players to understand the purpose of the screen and how it works for that purpose. He will need to show to players how to correctly set a screen and told them what the rules regarding screens are–close screening, moving, etc.
The easiest screen to begin with is one made away from the ball. Screening on the ball brings another defender to the ball, and without good ball handling skills, the dribbler will most likely be stuck. Since screens generally involve 2 offensive and 2 defensive players, it can get crowded and confusing in that space on the floor. So, coaches start teaching with 1 defender on the player being screened for, and the screener without a defender, beginning with screens to either shoulder of the defender.
My drill “Cross screening” begins by setting players in a box with a cone in the middle. First each players moves on the cone and sets a screen. Then he opens with a pivot and returns back to his position executing slide steps.
On the second phase of teaching progression players works in pairs and do the screen and use the screen at the same time 1st & 2nd, then the 3rd and 4th player.
The third phase with a ball, each time a player passes the ball, a screening action takes place with his opposite teammate. After the screen both players goes to the opposite side.
The last phase of the screening game, involves two balls. Now when the ball moves to the next players, we have a screening action from the passers as the previous phase.
The coach must walk players through the action, and try to keep it very simple and basic. Don’t bring in a bunch of options and make it confusing. So often, beginners will try to screen their own offensive teammates instead of the defender, so lots of explanation and demonstration needs to take place before continuing into the cut, receiving a pass and finishing the play with a shot or some kind of continuation action.
Start by explaining why screens are used. Show and explain how a screen is set on a player at the wing by a guard on that side of the floor. Walk the screener into place, using just the top-side shoulder of the defender as the screening point from the guard.
Once the above concepts are grasped, only then discuss and demonstrate what the person to receive the screen must do to set up his defender being screened. After successfully completing the addition of this maneuver, repeat everything already covered. There has been no pass yet to the cutter and certainly no finishing attempt.
All the above must be understood and practiced to competency before continuing the cut, receiving the pass (and finishing) or not receiving the pass and going into some kind of continuation pattern to get out of the way.
When working with youth, rarely even get into screening, because of the time it takes to teach and the comprehension ability of most young players. The playing experience of the youth and the teaching ability of the coach are the key factors to getting the whole set of screening action choreographed to perfection.
Remember, we teach kids, we teach a game.
We don’t need to hurry up with young athletes !
# Coach John Tsoumpris @2016
