Basics of the Pick & Roll
-The ball handler dribbles toward a specific spot on the court to get their defender off balance.
-The screener (usually a taller post player) gets stationary with a wide, balanced stance and bent knees. Their back faces the direction the ball handler wants to attack.
-The ball handler brushes tightly past the screener's shoulder. This forces the defenders to choose between guarding the drive or stopping the roller.
-After contact, the screener turns and rolls straight to the rim for a layup. The shoulder that is passed by dribbler is the shoulder that drops toward the baseline, so the roller opens up to their teammate instead of turning their back.
-A common mistake is that the dribbler receiving the screen, starts their drive before the screener is set. This either causes a moving screen foul or a bad screen because the screener is trying to make contact with a moving target.
Different Ways of Attacking with the Dribble
Straight-Line Drive-Attack the outside hip of the screener’s defender shoulder-to-shoulder if your defender is trailing behind. Attack the basket.
The Snake Dribble-Dribble tight across the middle behind the dropping defender to keep them in jail on your hip while you probe the lane.
Rejecting the Screen-Fake going toward the screen, cross over, and explode in the opposite direction if the defender over-plays the high side.
Splitting the Hedge-Dribble straight through the narrow gap if the screener's defender steps out too high and aggressively.
Stop and Pop / Retreat-Stop behind the screen or execute a retreat dribble to create separation for a pull-up jumper when the big man hedges out.
Passing Off the Pick & Roll
The Pocket Pass-A quick bounce pass thrown under the hands or pockets of the defending guard and big man when they both commit to the ball handler.
The Dump-Down Pass-A short, soft pass to the rolling screener when the weak-side help defender steps up to stop your drive at the rim.
The Hook Pass-A pass delivered outward to the screener who pops to the perimeter instead of rolling, executed with one hand while moving away from pressure
The Corner Kick-Out-A cross-court pass to an open shooter in the corner when the defense collapses hard into the paint to protect the rim.
The Skip Pass-A high-velocity pass sent over the top of the defense to the opposite wing or shooter if multiple defenders over rotate toward the roller.
