Off-Ball Screening

Definition

Off-ball screening is the family of actions that free a teammate without involving the ball-handler: down-screens, flare-screens, back-screens, and cross-screens.

Why it matters

Off-ball screens force the defense to rotate before the ball moves, creating two-step advantages that on-ball screens rarely match.

Examples

• Pin-down into a catch-and-shoot.
• Flare-screen on the weak side as the ball is reversed.
• Back-screen on the lob.

Practical application

• Always pair an off-ball screen with a reverse-action ball movement.
• Teach screeners to read coverage and slip vs hold.

Common mistakes

• Setting the screen without a ball-side trigger.
• Screener not slipping when defended switched.