The pick and roll is a super-duper common basketball play. It’s easy to execute and simple to do. This is why you need to know how to defend it.
It was 2005.
Or was it ‘06? My memory is a little bit hazy.
Anyway, I was playing pick-up basketball with some people at the gym.
The team I was playing against, for whatever reason, kept running the pick and roll on me. Maybe it was because I was smaller than the other players. Or maybe they just hated my face.
I don’t know. But they kept running this play and I didn’t know how to defend it. I kept running into the screener, allowing my man to get open looks.
Sometimes, I would be clever and go under the screen, but this just gave my man even more space to freely score.
My teammates, rightfully frustrated, constantly yelled out, “Fight through the screen and stick to your man! He can shoot!”
I had no idea what this meant. So, I took it literally and fought the screener.
This big guy, like most of the plays before, jogged up and set a screen for his teammate. I noticed this, so I turned around and punched him in the solar plex.
Hiya!
He immediately dropped to the ground.
And then I ran up to the ball handler and tackled him down to the ground.
Kapow!
I was banned from that gym ever since…
Okay, that’s a complete lie. I didn’t fight anyone. But I really didn’t know how to correctly defend the pick and roll.
And it was really annoying because opposing teams picked up on this and kept running it against me. I constantly ran into big walls of sweaty meat!
And I’m sure you’ve experienced something like this before too. Matter of fact, I know you have because you’re reading this blog post, searching for answers.
What Is a Pick and Roll?
So, to lend a helping hand, I’m going to share with you some tips on how to defend the pick and roll.
Before I do that though, I have to ask –do you remember what a pick and roll is?
If not, that’s okay. But it’ll be much easier to learn how to defend it if you know how to do it.
So here’s a brief recap: the pick and roll is a play where an opposing player sets a screen so that their ball handler can get open. This allows the ball handler to shoot, pass, or attack the basket.
Click here if you want to read a more in-depth explanation (and get some tips) of the pick and roll.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, pick-and-roll defence is an important skill to have. This play is one of the most often used plays in basketball.
So it’s good to know how to defend it, especially if you’re a guard.
How to Defend the Pick and Roll
Here are the 3 basic ways to guard the pick and roll (watch the video):
Key Notes:
- The 3 methods are: going over the screen, going under the screen, and turning down the screen (ICE).
- The method you pick will vary from player to player because it depends on the player’s skill set. For example, if they’re a good shooter, you will go over the screen and stick to them.
- Be physical when fighting through screens.
- Don’t be lazy when going under the screen. Be alert and physical.
- Know the angles of your defensive stances.
- Communicate with your teammates. If your opponent is setting the screen, let your teammate know which side the screen is on.
Since I’m feeling generous at the time of writing this post, here are some more tips, courtesy of former NBA player, Ty Lawson:
This video shares a lot of good information. But, to me anyway, the most important lesson is the part on communication.
When playing basketball, in general, you have to be able to communicate with your teammates.
If your opponent beats you off the dribble, you need to call for help from your teammates. If you want to run a specific play on offence, you need to let your team know.
So, remember to communicate. And please, please tell your teammate where the screen is going to be.
Final Thoughts
The pick and roll is a simple, effective play to run. That’s why it’s common and a lot of teams use it.
And that’s why you need to know how to defend it.
Take the knowledge from this article (well, if I’m being truthful to myself, the videos) and apply it to the hardwood.
P.S. Pick-and-roll defence gets more complex than this. I’ve only shared the basics. Keep this in mind when you’re practicing these skills.
Just thought you should know that.
