Hedging
-Hedging is a tactic where the defender guarding a player who is setting an on-ball screen temporarily steps into the ball handler's path to slow their momentum and buy time for the on-ball defender to recover.
-Below are different versions of hedging.
Regular Hedge
-The screener's defender must loudly call out "screen" early so the teammate knows the screen is coming and which direction.
-The hedger steps up right behind or at the level of the screener, placing a wide stance to block the path on a 45-degree angle to make the dribble have to waste time to go around them.
-The hedger maintains a tight hip or foot alignment with the screener to avoid getting split by the ball handler.
-Once the ball handler is delayed and forced wide, the hedging defender sprints back to their original assignment.
Hard Hedge
-The hedger steps aggressively outward and upward past the screen, getting into the path of the ball handler to force a retreat or wide turn.
-Compared to the 45-degree angle of the regular hedge, the hard hedger has both shoulders perpendicular to the baseline, a more aggresive and severe angle.
-The hedger keeps their hands high to disrupt passing lanes toward the rolling screener.
-Once the ball handler is slowed or turned away, the hedger sprints back to their original assignment.
-Use a hard hedge if the player receiving the screen is an elite ball handler who can to the basket.
Soft Hedge
-This is also called a flat hedge. The hedger keeps their shoulders parrallel to the baseline.
-Slow down the ball handler's momentum and buy time for the primary defender to get over or around the screen.
-The defender does not aggressively trap or force the ball far away; they just flash their presence briefly before recovering.
-Use this coverage when the player receiving the screen is an elite shooter.
Drop Coverage
-The big defender sits 6 to 10 feet behind the screen to protect the rim.
-The on-ball defender fights over or around the screen to chase the ball handler from behind.
-Force difficult mid-range two-pointers while stopping layups and dunks.
-Drop coverage does give up space for pull-up jumpers if the ball handler can shoot well from the mid-range.
-Use this coverage if you are more worried about the screener scoring on the role than ball handler receiving the screen.
Plug
-The hedger steps up above the level of the screen to block the ball handler's forward progress and force them wide, then sprints back to their original assignment once the threat passes
-The on-ball defender or plugger drops off the ball handler immediately after the screen action to occupy the gap, shutting down the quick short-roll pass to the screen.
