Ball screenAdvanced

Spain

High ball screen, then 2 back screens the roller's defender and pops. Read the roll, the pop or the drive.

Best for: For a team with a shooting guard and a post who rolls hard. Two screens at once are hard to guard.

Needs: a strong ball handler, a shooter. Gets you: a layup, a three.

Against: man‑to‑man
Formation: 1-3-1
Steps: 5 steps · 5 reads each
The five spots: 1Point guard (top)
2Guard in the lane
3Left wing
4Right wing
5High post

Run it yourself

Pick a spot and make the reads.

The court plays out each step when you choose right. Switch spots to learn every job in Spain.

You are 1, Point guard (top)

Your spot

Step 1 · Set up

Coach calls "Spain". 1 has the ball up top. 5 is at the high post and 2 is down in the lane. This time it goes to the right side.

What do you do?

Pick the read you would make. The play runs when you get it right.

Study every step

What the defence shows at each step, how everyone moves, and the right read for all five spots.

cut pass screen dribble shotNumbers show the order.

Step 1

Coach calls "Spain". 1 has the ball up top. 5 is at the high post and 2 is down in the lane.

1Wait for 5 to set the ball screen.Let 5 get set. If you go early, x1 just slides past the screen.
2Step up into the middle of the lane, under 5.You are the back screener. Get close to where x5 will be.
3Stay wide on the left wing.Keep x3 out of the lane where the action is.
4Slide down to the right corner.1 is driving to your side. Clear the wing and be ready for the kick-out.
5Sprint up and set the ball screen on x1.Set it on the right side of x1, so 1 can drive into the space 4 just cleared.

Next: The Spain action

Step 2

5 is set on x1. x5 is sitting back under the screen, and 2 is coming up behind them.

1Come off the screen and attack the right side.Go shoulder to shoulder with 5 and get downhill. Then read the defence.
2Back screen x5, then pop to the top for three.x5 never sees you coming. Hit them, then pop out behind the play.
3Stay wide on the left wing.Keep x3 out of the lane where 5 is rolling.
4Stay in the right corner, ready to shoot.If x4 helps on the drive, you are open.
5Roll hard to the rim with your hands up.2 is screening x5 for you. Get to the rim behind them.

Then the defence shows one of 3 looks: Read: the roll (40%), Read: the pop (40%), Read: the drive (20%).

Step 3

1 of 3 looks after The Spain action · 40%

x5 is stuck on 2's back screen, and x2 has run out with 2. Nobody is between 5 and the rim.

1Bounce pass to 5 rolling.x5 is stuck behind the screen. 5 has a layup.
2Stay spotted up at the top.You keep x2 out of the lane, and you are the safety.
3Stay wide on the left wing.Keep x3 from sliding over to 5.
4Stay in the right corner.If x4 drops to 5, you are the next pass.
5Catch and finish at the rim.x5 is behind you. Two hands, then go straight up.

Layup for 5 on the roll.

Step 3

1 of 3 looks after The Spain action · 40%

x2 stays in the lane and picks up 5 on the roll. 2 is alone at the top.

1Pass to 2 at the top.x2 stayed down to stop 5. 2 is wide open.
2Catch with your feet set and shoot the three.You popped right behind the play. Nobody is close to you.
3Stay wide on the left wing.If x3 runs at 2, you are the extra pass.
4Stay in the right corner.Keep x4 out of the lane.
5Seal x2 for the rebound.They are smaller than you. Pin them and be ready for a miss.

Open three for 2 at the top.

Step 3

1 of 3 looks after The Spain action · 20%

x5 got around the back screen and sank to the rim with 5. x2 is with 2. x1 is behind 1, and the elbow is open.

1Keep driving and pull up at the right elbow.x5 is back at the rim and x1 is behind you. Take the open jumper.
2Stay at the top as the safety.The shot is going up. Someone has to be back.
3Crash from the weak side for the rebound.Pull-ups that miss come off long. Go get it.
4Stay in the right corner.Keep x4 in the corner so they can't bother the shot.
5Seal x5 for the rebound.Get inside position as the shot goes up.