Developing Guards for the Ball Screen Offense

with Danny Manning,
University of Colorado Assistant Coach;
University of Louisville Associate Head Coach from 2022 to 2024;
University of Maryland Interim Head Coach in 2022;
University of Maryland Assistant Coach - 2021;
Wake Forest University Head Coach from 2014 to 2020;
2017 Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award ;
University of Tulsa Head Coach from 2012 to 2014;
2014 C-USA Champions, C-USA Coach of the Year;
distinguished member of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2008);
University of Kansas - Assistant Coach from 2003 to 2012 (2008 NCAA Championship);
played for Kansas (1988 NCAA Champions; was NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player);
NABC Player of the Year (1988);
No. 1 overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft;
2x NBA All Star;
1998 NBA Sixth Man of the Year

Danny Manning, one of the greatest players in Kansas Jayhawks history, teaches you how to develop an unstoppable ball screen game for perimeter players. This dominant offense has been an NBA staple and now is becoming used more frequently in collegiate play. Coach Manning utilizes on-court demonstrations to teach you how to effectively use a ball-screen. He provides a detailed explanation of the footwork, screening angles and attacks needed to develop your guard's offensive skill and awareness coming off the ball screen.

For an effective ball screen offense, ball handlers must do four things: turn the corner, split a ball screen, refuse a ball screen and stay out of a trapping situation. Coach Manning uses 2v0 drills to teach guards how to beat various defenses against the on-ball screen, giving a method of attack for each scenario. Some of those scenarios are:

• getting around the hedge
• splitting the defense
• beating a trap
• refusing a ball screen
• two dribble finishes
• pick-and-pop

Coach Manning demonstrates five different ball screen angles that can be used in the half court. These angles include the middle attack pick, which sets up players to get around the edge of the defense, and the side angle screen, which opens up opportunities to get in the paint for those all-important paint touches. For each angle, he starts teaching in the 2v0 setting and then progresses to a 2v2 using coaches to help his players understand reads coming off each screen. Players' basketball IQ improves as they learn how to read what the defense gives them and find the open play.

For developing court awareness, Coach Manning runs "odd numbered shooting drills." He uses this drill to teach guard skill development on and off the screen. It also helps work on kick outs and the "catch and go." Players work on pivoting with both feet, shooting off the dribble, jab steps and shot fakes. Working from different spots on the floor, they learn the specific areas to attack from those spots.

Develop your perimeter players into unstoppable pick-and-roll weapons and dominate your opponents by perfecting the ball screen action with the lessons and drills from two-time NCAA champion Danny Manning.

47 minutes. 2014.