Pick-and-Roll Actions
Ages 13–15, Ages 16+
Empty Side Ball Screen
A ball-screen action run with the strong side cleared out, giving the ball handler a wide-open driving lane and the screener a clean roll to the rim.
Reads & options
- 1. If the screener's defender switches, look to post up the smaller defender who switched onto O5.
- 2. If the defense hedges hard, kick to the strong-side corner for the shooter.
- 3. If both defenders drop back, take the pull-up jumper off the screen.
Coaching points
- · The screener should set the screen with a wide, stationary base and let the ball handler set up his defender before using it.
- · The ball handler should attack downhill off the screen, not sideways.
- · The roller should seal his defender toward the ball before rolling, not run in a straight line to the rim.
Running Empty Side Ball Screen?
Trade adjustments and counters with coaches running this set in the free community, or build sets like Empty Side Ball Screen yourself in the interactive Play Designer — drag players, chart cuts, screens and passes, then watch the play run.
The community is free and always will be. No card needed for either.
More pick-and-roll actions
Pistol Action
A modern side ball-screen entry that starts with a dribble-at toward a lifting guard before a big steps up to screen, forcing the defense to defend two actions in one possession.
Spain Pick-and-Roll
A modern ball-screen action where a shooter sets a back screen on the roller's own defender, springing a lob or open rim run as the screener rolls to the basket.
Ball Screen Rescreen
A ball-screen counter where the screener immediately resets a second screen in a slightly different spot when the defense fights over the first one, giving the ball-handler a second driving angle in the same possession.