In a prior breakdown on attacking both early and late in possessions through stampede catches {🔒}, we analyzed how the ballscreen can function as a sneaky decoy to create downhill attacking opportunities.
These “Dummy Ballscreens” are terrific for creating lanes for “stampede” drives while pulling the defensive big away from the rim, and also prove effective against defenses trying to switch the initial ballscreen.
Building on the “Dummy Ballscreen” concept, we became curious about additional ways in which setting a ballscreen with no intention of actually using it, can be effective against certain defensive coverages as well. This led us to the “Flip Screen.” Flipping the screen, of course, is effective in its own right and serves as a powerful screening tool in disrupting PNR coverages…
 |
Zooming In: A last minutes flip of the screen can leave the defensive big on the wrong side of the coverage, acting similarly to a reject, producing a 4v3 advantage.
However, what got us interested in the “Flip Screen” was how offenses are using it to attack aggressive coverages—not through precise timing and execution of the screen once flipped, but by baiting the big to chase the screener on the flip, which opens up a driving gap for the ballhandler to reject the flip and get downhill. Rather than risk illegal screens or combat stout ball pressure, which can make it challenging for the guard to prepare and use the screen once flipped, offenses are turning it into a dummy action. The big sprinting up has no intent to actually set a screen; instead, the offense’s intention is to leverage the defensive assignments of both the guard and the big against them.
|
Zooming In: With most aggressive defensive coverages, which can also be termed “Up” coverages {🔒}, the on-ball defender is tasked with pushing the ballhandler into the screen and the awaiting defensive big. However, if the defensive big, in an effort to execute the coverage, eagerly follows the screener on the flip, the guard is left pushing the ballhandler into an open gap with no help and little time to readjust.
In this sense, the “Flip Screen” serves the purpose of acting more like a space-clearing cut or Ghost Screen, rather than an actual ballscreen, with an added bonus of pulling a defensive big away from the rim as the guard attacks the open gap.
Manipulating Space
The next layer in maximizing the “Flip Screen’s” effectiveness is considering how different spacing and cutting concepts around the action can further enhance the ballhandler’s ability to penetrate deep into the paint while maintaining passing outlets to punish any help at the rim.
Throughout today’s video breakdown, we showcase several spacing examples teams can use to stress the defense around the drive, including flipping the middle ballscreen with “Last” spacing, or dunker spacing {🔒}…
|
Of particular note, when flipping a middle ball screen or using a flip to create a drive toward the single-spaced side, the offense can—but is not required to—default to staying spaced and playing off the ballhandler’s rim read, primarily because these spacings naturally clear the elbow. However, when flipping the screen to the full side of the floor, the offense may need to continue working to clear space at the elbow for the ballhandler, either with a 45-cut or a “baseline-slide” action. This type of “wheel” or slide action is being used to great effect right now with the Memphis Grizzlies, and is something we spoke at length about in our podcast with now Grizzlies Assistant Coach, Noah LaRoche {🎧}
By strategically utilizing “Dummy” actions and “Flip Screens” in a PNR, offenses can exploit aggressive defensive coverages and create dynamic driving lanes. When paired with optimal spacing and cutting, these actions not only break down the defense but also open up high-percentage scoring opportunities for ballhandlers and shooters.
To learn more on this concept in attacking aggressive coverages and incorporating it in various spacing, SG+ Members can now view the full breakdown on SGTV!
