,

The most popular basketball play in the world is the pick-and-roll defense. Coaches will debate all the time the best way to defend it? The days of defending it 1 way are a thing of the past. 

With most teams employing some form of pick-and-roll concepts I believe you need to be able to defend it multiple ways. You need to be able to make adjustments to keep your defense one step ahead of today’s player

As I have been doing a deep dive on the defensive side of the floor I have had the chance to host and listen in to a lot of clinics and one of the common themes was pick-and-roll defense.

I have picked a few clinics that I thought would help you create an advantage on your pick-and-roll defense philosophy.

Lindsay Gottlieb USC Head Coach discusses “showing” which is one way to defend the ball screen. I really like her concept of “no screen no scheme concept” they use to teach their post players how to defend the post player slipping when they employ “show” coverage situation.

Full Video for Lindsey Gottlieb

Lindsay Gottlieb in the full clinic discusses various ways to guard the ball screen from switching, showing, trapping, downing (icing), and drop. 

Brett Reed of Lehigh University gives great insight here on “pursuing the ball concept” and making the defense see hands it prevents the quick pass. I really liked this coaching tip of high hands and make your presence known.

Full Video of Brett Reed

Coach Brett Reed covers the gamut in this ball screen defense clinic with his philosophy it will give you a great foundation to guard potent ball screen attacks.

Brandon Chambers of Texas Southern University goes over four different ways to cover the ball screen in the middle 3rd of the floor (middle).

1. Over / Under
2. Show
3. Flat
4. Weak



Over-under, Show, Flat, and Weak

I really like the concept of “weak” pick-and-roll coverage. I like the defense making the offense have to beat them going to their weak hand.

These clinics gave me some great insight on the different ways to guard the ball screen. 

To your success,

Coaches Clinic Community of Coaches Helping Coaches