The pick and roll (also called a ball screen or screen and roll) in basketball is an offensive play in which a player sets a screen (pick) for a teammate handling the ball and then moves toward the basket (rolls) to receive a pass. In the NBA, the play came into vogue in the 1990s and has developed into the league's most common offensive action.[1] There are, however, many ways in which the defense can also counter the offensive screen.
Execution
The play (in its elementary form) involves three players. The play begins with a
defender guarding a ballhandler. The ballhandler moves toward a teammate, who sets a "screen" (or "pick") by standing in the way of the defender, who is separated from the moving ballhandler. The defender is forced to choose between guarding the ballhandler or the screener. If the defender tries to guard the ballhandler, then the screener can move toward the basket (as the player defending the screener may try to trap or guard the ballhandler, giving the screener space) sometimes by a foot pivot ("roll") and is now open for a pass. If the defender chooses instead to guard the screening teammate, then the ballhandler has an open shot.[2][3] Alternatively, the ballhandler may pass the ball to an open teammate.[1] A well-executed pick and roll is the result of teamwork,[3] but many players fail by executing the play too quickly; they must ignore the defense and control their own speed.[4]
Defending the pick and roll is a tactical challenge. The screener's defender alerts his
teammate of the screen.[citation needed] Options are "switch" - defenders swap assignments, or "hedge" - the screener's defender impedes the ballhandler.[citation needed] Each choice carries risks, like mismatches or gaps in defense. Success lies in agility, communicationand coordination.[citation needed