Coach ,

As you know, the pick and roll is one of basketball’s most effective offensive strategies. 

But because it’s so common, understanding how to defeat the most common pick and roll coverages will allow you to step one step ahead of your opponent in a game. 

Coach Luka Bassin’s dives deep into different ideas on how to attack different pick and roll coverages. 

Given Coach Bassin’s experience as a Slovenian coach who worked for high-level European teams and national teams as an assistant coach, head coach, or player development coach, he is better suited to explain how to beat the most common pick and roll coverages than just about anybody else. 

Attacking TRAP Coverage

Attacking TRAP Coverage

A great way to break Trap coverage (which is the most common defensive pick and roll strategy) is by having the ball handler make a quick pass to the big man who is setting a screen for them as they roll, before the defending big can set all the way up from the screen. Once the big receives the pass, they will immediately look to the opposite corner, where the perimeter should be cutting into the paint. 

Because the big man has vacated the post in order to trap the ball handler, this should leave the paint available for a short window. And if the opposing wing defender can get caught sleeping, this quick pass from the big man can create an easy layup and effectively defeat trap coverage. 

Another key part of defeating the trap covering in the pick and roll is for the ball handler to keep their dribble alive, because as soon as the ball gets picked up then the press will become even tighter. 

Attacking UNDER Coverage

Attacking UNDER Coverage

A great way to defeat “under” coverage (when the primary defender of the ball handler goes under the initial screen) is for the ball handler to attack the rim as soon as the defender goes under the screen. This typically requires them to take their eyes off the ball for a moment, which is enough time for a speedy ball handler to drive to the paint. And they’ll likely meet minimal resistance there because the defending big is up where the screen is set. 

Of course, another great way to defeat this coverage is to have a ball handler who can confidently shoot and make three-pointers. 

REJECT The Screen As First Option

REJECT The Screen As First Option

Rejecting a screen is the most effective when used against an aggressive defender who jumps under the screen early. 

The key to this scenario is to catch the ball defender slipping, because when they’re told that a screen is coming up, they are always going to be expecting and thinking about how they’ll handle that screen. Adept ball handlers can take advantage of this momentary mental lapse to drive to the other side of the screen, pull up for a shot, or do something else that the defender isn’t expecting.

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