Point Guard Ball Screen Offense: UNDER the Screen with Sue Bird

CLIP #1: SCREENER RESCREENS

Summary

• Screen defender goes under the screen

• Screener turns and rescreens

• Bird crosses over and shoots open 3

Analysis:

1. Bird accelerates in to the ball screen, forcing her defender to either go under the screen or over the screen. She cannot slip between Bird and the screener.

2. Bird and Stewart both feel the ball defender step under the screen, taking away Bird’s driving lane but leaving the 3 point line unguarded.

3. Stewart quickly pivots to rescreen the ball defender.

4. Bird crosses back to her left and steps behind the 3 point line for an uncontested 3.

This play is a great example of two players being on the same page. Stewart and Bird react at the same time to the defenders choice to step under the screen. The rescreen gives Bird plenty of time and space to get off a great look. There is a difference between instinctively chucking up a shot when the defender goes under the screen and setting up a quality shot. This is an example of the latter.

---

CLIP #2: screen Turn and SEALs

Summary:

• Screen defender goes under the screen

• Screener turns and seals ball defender

• Bird steps back and shoots the open 3

Analysis:

1. Bird uses a hesitation dribble, getting her defender to step up, then accelerates in to the ball screen, forcing her defender to either go under the screen or over the screen. She cannot slip between Bird and the screener.

2. Bird and Stewart both feel the ball defender step under the screen, taking away Bird’s driving lane but leaving the 3 point line unguarded.

3. Stewart quickly pivots to seal the ball defender.

4. Bird steps back to her left and steps behind the 3 point line for an uncontested 3.

This play is a slight variation of Clip #1 where the defender chooses to go under the screen, but here, the screen is so low, Stewart only needs to turn and seal and the ball defender is pinned too deep to contest the shot. Bird has plenty of time to set her feet for a high quality look. Splash.

How to Become a Better Scorer

When you watch the most prolific scorers, the one constant you will notice is that they are rarely, if ever, sped up. Understanding the importance of pace as a scorer is something that can have an instant impact on your game and ability to score. 

So what are some practical ways that you as a player can improve in this area? Here are 3!

ROLL THE TAPE..

If you are a film watcher, take a look at a few of your games and pay close attention to each moment that you are going full speed at times that it’s not required or bringing value to your play. Evaluate the decisions you’re making when you are playing at that pace and track the efficiency of those decisions each time you touch the ball.

GET THE CONES OUT..

Cones are a great way to give you a visual as you are beginning to work on your pace/change of speed. Set them up in a line like the video below and use your imagination from there.

Work on going from slow to fast and from fast to slow and everything in between. Get your body used to changing speeds while remaining in good balance.

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE..

Whether you have access to open runs or a buddy you can get on the court and play one on one with, both are good for experimenting. In one on one it’s a great way to feel how you can control your defender with your different speeds.

During a pick up session it’s great to feel yourself control your defender but also to be able to recognize how that change of speed impacts secondary defenders off the ball. 

The final piece of advice is to watch as much basketball as you can. Find a player that you feel your game relates most to and study them.

Watch how they move.

Pay attention to what they do with and without the ball.

Study how they score and find ways to improve your game in those areas.

All of the information you need is out there but keying in on what applies directly to your game/abilities is often what trips players up.

So don’t waste your time working on skills that won’t translate into your game’s DNA.

Be honest with yourself, know your strengths, know your weaknesses and own it.

The quicker you can figure these things out, the quicker you will be on the right track to reach your potential as a scorer.