7 Proven Ways To Guard a Ball Screen

with Craig Doty,
Houston Christian University Head Coach;
Emporia State Head Men's Basketball Coach from 2018 to 2024;
Graceland University Head Coach from 2016 to 2018;
2018 NAIA National Championship;
2018 Don Meyer Award;
2018 NAIA Coach of the Year;
2018 IBCA Coach of the YEar;
2018 Heart of America Tournament Champions;
Rock Valley College Head Coach from 2012 to 2016;
2x NJCAA Division III National Champions (2014, 2016);
2x Spalding NJCAA Division III Coach of the Year (2014, 2016);
2016 NABC National JuCo (all levels) Coach of the Year;
2015 NJCAA National Runner-up;
4x Don Klaas NJCAA Region IV Coach of the Yearplayed college basketball for Morningside (guard)

In today’s game, ball-screening actions are becoming more popular with every passing season and the pick-and-roll game has become increasingly intricate as a result. If your team isn’t adept at guarding ball screens, you’ll quickly find yourself on the end of losing defensive battle. 

Taking an in-depth look at how to guard ball screens, Craig Doty reviews seven proven defensive actions that can be used to successfully defend ball screens. 

This highly valuable on-the-court instructional coaching presentation that also utilizes video clip examples provides keen insight into the seven ways that the defense can cover a ball screen: which include defensive secrets such as: hard hedging, going under the screen, flat or drop coverage, switching, icing, using ice-to-switch tactics and blitzing.

With every ball screen, Coach Doty covers the positives and negatives regarding each ball screen defense that can be used – even pointing out the offensive adjustments that may come as a result.

Doty’s explanation of the defense is taken into further detail with the help of his assistant coach Evan Lavery who covers drills and concepts that build a complete set of options for any coach looking to improve their defensive ball-screen coverages.

Non-Switching Ball-Screen Coverages

Among the coverages reviewed by Coach Doty, one of the most common defensive tactics is defending the hard hedge screen. Doty explains that the biggest key to this coverage is to make sure that the ball handler does not get downhill. He also explains that a weakness that needs to be protected against is the ball handler splitting the coverage.

The opposite of the hard hedge is going under on the ball screen. In discussing this defense, Coach Doty points out that going under ball screens can be effective when playing against a guard who is not a good shooter. While he does not advocate for using this coverage as a game strategy, Doty explains why using this coverage is perfect to use on a scout-specific basis and can prove extremely effective versus specific opponents. 

Doty also points out that on this coverage, the on-ball defender goes underneath the ball screen to force the jump shot and protect against the drive. 

Next, Coach Doty explains how flat hedge or ‘drop’ coverages can be used to prevent drives and rolls to the basket. He offers a detailed explanation of why this coverage has the ball screener’s defender stay attached until the ball screen is used. In addition, an explanation is offered on why this coverage requires the ball screener’s defender to provide help on drives until the on-the-ball defender recovers.

The concept of “icing” or “downing” is used to keep the ball in the outer third of the floor. Coach Doty offers an in-depth lesson plan that details how to defend when the ball is forced away from the ball screen – as the ball screener’s defender stunts to the ball on the drive to take away the lay-up. When penetration is stopped, Doty shows how the ball screener’s defender recovers to his man.

Coach Doty then offers details on blitzing, or trapping” ball-screens, and why it is a tactic used to create a changeup to ball screen teams. This coverage is best used as a surprise, especially out of a timeout. He explains why this defense also requires great help defense to rotate and cover the remaining four offensive players.

Switching Ball-Screen Coverages

One of the more popular concepts in defending ball screens is to switch defenders. In recent years, this coverage has grown in popularity as teams have begun to utilize more athletic post players – even bigs who can defend a point guard.

The main coverage used by Coach Doty is to switch on ball screens. Doty explains his reasoning for this coverage and how it was extremely helpful in defending against a team in their league known for running ball screens. Coach Doty explains a caveat that using a switching coverage system requires tough-minded players, particularly guards who can front the post and post players who can guard the other team’s point guard.

One variation to the switching ball screen coverage is a method that Coach Doty describes as ‘ice to switch’ coverage. In this segment, Doty showcases the concepts of icing or downing the ball screen and how they can be used against specific opponents.

Defending Ball Screen Concepts and Drills

One of the most unsung parts of ball-screen defense is using what Coach Doty calls ‘escorting by the ball-screener’s defender’ – explaining that this occurs when a defender needs to stay attached to the ball-screener on defense. Going deeper, he then explains how and why contact must be made during almost every ball screen coverage.

In this segment, Coach Doty assistant coach, Evan Lavery, steps in to demonstrate valuable defensive insight that uses ‘part-to-whole teaching’ methods to showcase and illustrate how to teach defending a variety of ball-screen actions using different coverages. 

One concept emphasized by Coach Lavery is a tactic called ‘scooping,’ which he explains as the act of the on-the-ball defender forcing the dribbler into the ball screen while hard-hedging ball screens.

Another concept taught by Coach Lavery is how to ‘escort’ the ball screener when teaching how to switch on the ball screen. In this segment, examples are shown of the defender executing ‘escorting’ actions – staying attached to the hip of the ball screener, but detaching when contact is made between the on-the-ball defender and the ball screener. At that point, the switch occurs.

This is a must-own, must-watch defensive video for all coaches who want to stay relevant in coaching defense today – regardless of the level of basketball you coach!

Customer Review: 5 Out of 5 Stars. ‘If there was ever an encyclopedia on ball-screen defense, this is the video that has it all! Coach Doty gives great detail and teaching advice.’

46 minutes. 2023.