What is a Pick & Roll in Basketball?
Pick and roll is one of the most basic yet effective offensive plays in basketball. It is a two-man maneuver which involves a ball handler and a screener. It is used to create an open scoring opportunity for the ball handler, usually by forcing the defense to choose between two unfavorable outcomes.
This play has been around since the early days of basketball and is still used by professional teams in the game today. It is a very versatile play which can be used in different situations and can be run from different positions on the floor.
The Basics of the Pick & Roll
The basic premise of the pick and roll is that the ball handler drives toward the basket and the screener steps in front of the defender. This forces the defender to either switch onto the ball handler or go around the pick and leave the screener open.
The ball handler then has two options: either drive to the basket or pass to the screener for a shot. If the defense switches, the ball handler can drive to the basket for an open layup or pass to the screener for an open shot. If the defense goes around the pick, the screener is left open for a shot.
Types of Pick & Roll
There are two main types of pick and roll: the ball screen and the side pick and roll.
Ball Screen: The ball screen is the most common type of pick and roll. It involves the ball handler driving down the court with the screener setting a pick in front of the defender. This forces the defender to either switch onto the ball handler or go around the pick and leave the screener open.
Side Pick & Roll: The side pick and roll is slightly different from the ball screen, as it involves the ball handler and screener running along the sideline instead of down the court. This play is usually used when the defense is playing in a zone and the ball handler needs to get around the defense to create an open scoring opportunity.
Benefits of the Pick & Roll
The pick and roll is a great way to create open scoring opportunities for the ball handler or the screener. It also forces the defense to make a difficult decision and can open up other players for shots.
- It forces the defense to make a difficult decision, which can lead to open shots.
- It can open up other players for shots if the defense switches onto the ball handler.
- It can create an open layup for the ball handler if the defense goes around the pick.
- It can be run from different positions on the floor.
Setting the Pick
Setting the pick is an important part of the pick and roll. The screener needs to set a solid pick, which means standing still and not leaning in any direction. This gives the ball handler a chance to drive to the basket without being blocked by the defender.
The screener should also be aware of the position of the defender and adjust the pick accordingly. If the defender is playing too far off the ball handler, the screener should set a wider pick to give the ball handler more room to drive.
Reading the Defense
Reading the defense is a key part of the pick and roll. The ball handler needs to be aware of how the defense is playing and decide which option to take: driving to the basket or passing to the screener.
If the defender is playing too close to the ball handler, the ball handler should drive to the basket for an open layup. If the defender is playing too far off, the ball handler should pass to the screener for an open shot.
Countering the Pick & Roll
Defending against the pick and roll is no easy task. The defense needs to be aware of the position of the ball handler and the screener and decide which option to take.
The most common way to counter the pick and roll is to have the defender go around the pick and stay with the ball handler. This way, the ball handler won’t have an open shot and the defense can recover in time to contest the shot.
Using the Pick & Roll in Different Situations
The pick and roll can be used in different situations to create open scoring opportunities. It can be used in transition, in the half court, and even in the post.
- In transition: The pick and roll can be used in transition to create an open shot for the ball handler or the screener.
- In the half court: The pick and roll can be used in the half court to create an open shot for the ball handler or the screener.
- In the post: The pick and roll can be used in the post to create an open shot for the ball handler or the screener.
Common Mistakes in the Pick & Roll
There are a few common mistakes that players make when running the pick and roll.
- Setting the pick too early: The screener needs to wait until the ball handler is close before setting the pick. Setting the pick too early can give the defense time to recover and contest the shot.
- Not reading the defense: The ball handler needs to be aware of how the defense is playing and decide which option to take. Not reading the defense can lead to turnovers or bad shots.
- Not setting a solid pick: The screener needs to set a solid pick in order to give the ball handler room to drive. Not setting a solid pick can lead to the ball handler getting blocked by the defender.
Conclusion
The pick and roll is a basic yet effective offensive play which can be used to create open scoring opportunities. It involves a ball handler and a screener and can be run from different positions on the floor. It is a very versatile play which can be used in different situations to create open shots for the ball handler or the screener.
However, it is important to remember that the pick and roll requires good timing and communication between the ball handler and the screener. It is also important to be aware of the defense and read the defense in order to take advantage of the situation.