Offense In Basketball

What is a 'screen' in basketball?

In basketball, a screen is when a big guy, it can be anybody on the court really, they come up next to the guy that they want to screen and then the offensive player runs their guy off of him. You're the screen if you're standing straight and you're letting the guy hit you to free up your man.

What is the 'pick and roll' play in basketball?

A pick and roll play, or a screen and roll play, is when a point guard has a ball- or a two guard, anybody who can handle the ball -and a big guy will come over and set a screen, and they will bring the ball off and attack the defense, and the big guy will roll to the basket. So the pick comes off, and then he rolls to the basket. So it creates a two-on-one to the basket. Makes the defense commit one way or the other.

What is the 'back door' play in basketball?

A backdoor play is usually a safety valve play. When there is a lot of pressure on the perimeter, they're denying the wings, they're not letting you catch the ball on the wing. You'll pop out. They're overplaying, the defense is overplaying and then you'll cut back door. You'll go back towards the basket and it takes a nice, perfect bounce pass or perfect pass to get to the player cutting back door for a lay-up.

What is a 'fast break' offense in basketball?

Well, the advantages of fast breaks, definitely off of misses. Defensively, if you have a point guard, like a Magic Johnson, that can push the ball up the floor and that can see the floor, and he'd have guys like James Worthy and Byron Scott running the wings, it's always an advantage. There's a three-on-two, four-on-two; those are advantages to score against a defense. So, if you have that type of advantage and you're a good fast-breaking team, then go ahead and take that because there's easy opportunities at the other end.

What is a 'triple threat position' in basketball?

In basketball, a triple threat position is one of the most fundamental positions you can be in. It's squared up in a stance with the ball on the side. You're a threat to pass, you're a threat to dribble, or you're a threat to shoot. That's triple threat position.