Basketball Offense - Pick and Roll Offense - from Dr. Hal Wissel

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From former NBA coach Hal Wissel (see bio below).

Greater emphasis is being placed on the open or spread offense, dribble penetration, and the ability to draw and kick to three-point shooters. The pick-and-roll (also called the ball screen) is one of the oldest plays in basketball, but it is now being used more than ever.

The pick-and-roll has become popular as a method for gaining dribble penetration and then drawing and kicking-either kicking in to a player near the basket or kicking out to a three-point shooter.

At the professional level, the pick-and-roll has become a primary part of the offense for most teams. It has also become a part of college and high school play. Pick-and-roll is a broad term for many actions.

In the pick-and-roll, the picker sets the pick and then rolls (cuts to the basket) for a possible inside shot off a pass from the ball handler. If the picker is a good shooter, a pick-and-pop may be used; this play has the picker popping out for an outside shot rather than rolling to the basket.

Pick-and-roll plays may be a part of a set offensive attack or a part of an early offense at the end of a fast break. Several types of pick-and-roll plays may be used, and they can take place in various spots on the court, including the top, side, elbow, and corner.

The following are some common pick-and-roll plays (figures 11.18 to 11.23).

High pick-and-roll

Figure 11.18. High pick-and-roll. Player 5 sets a pick at the top for player 1. Player 1 dribbles off the pick, forcing player 5's defender to give help. Player 1 takes at least two dribbles past the pick to create space. Player 1 can then shoot a jump shot, pass to player 5 rolling to the basket, pass to player 4 cutting up to the weakside elbow, pass to player 2 in the strongside corner, or pass to player 3 in the weak-side corner.

High pick-and-pop

Figure 11.19. High pick-and-pop. Player 4 sets a pick at the top for player 1. Player 1 dribbles off the pick, forcing player 4's defender to give help. Player 1 takes at least two dribbles past the pick to create space. Player 1 can then shoot a jump shot, pass to player 4 popping to the weak-side elbow area, pass to player 5 cutting to the strong-side low post, pass to player 2 in the strong-side corner, or pass to player 3 in the weak-side corner.

Side pick-and-roll

Figure 11.20. Side pick-and-roll. Player 4 sets a pick at the wing for player 1. Player 1 dribbles off the pick, forcing player 4's defender to give help. Player 1 takes at least two dribbles past the pick to create space. Player 1 can then shoot a jump shot, pass to player 4 rolling to the basket, or pass to one of the other players (2, 3, or 5) set in a triangle formation on the weak side.

Side pick-and-pop

Figure 11.21. Side pick-and-pop. Player 4 sets a pick at the wing for player 1. Player 1 dribbles off the pick, forcing player 4's defender to give help. Player 1 takes at least two dribbles past the pick to create space. Player 1 can then shoot a jump shot, pass to player 4 popping to the corner, pass to player 5 ducking into the lane, or pass to player 2 or 3 spaced out on the weak-side perimeter.

Elbow pick-and-roll

Figure 11.22. Elbow pick-and-roll. Player 4 sets a pick at the elbow for player 1. Player 1 dribbles off the pick, forcing player 4's defender to give help. Player 1 takes at least two dribbles past the pick to create space. Player 1 can then shoot a jump shot, pass to player 4 rolling to the basket, pass to player 5 ducking into the lane, or pass to player 2 or 3 spaced out on the weak-side perimeter.

Elbow pick-and-roll to high-low.

Figure 11.23. Elbow pick-and-roll to highlow. Players 4 and 5 set picks at each elbow. Player 1 dribbles off player 4's pick, forcing player 4's defender to give help. Player 1 takes at least two dribbles past the pick to create space for a pass to player 4 rolling to the basket or to player 5 popping high to the top.

When the pass is made to player 5 at the top, player 5 looks first to pass to player 4 posting low in front of the basket; player 5 may also shoot a jump shot. Players 2 and 3 position themselves in each corner to spread the floor.



MISSTEP
You fail to create space when dribbling by the pick, thus allowing the help defender to defend you and the pass back to the picker.

CORRECTION
You must dribble at least two dribbles past the pick to create space for a pass back to the picker.

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Pick-and-roll plays may also be a part of an early offense at the end of a fast break.

Various early-offense plays use the pick-and-roll in different spots on the court, including the top, side, corner, and elbow. The following are some common early-offense pick-and-roll plays (figures 11.24 to 11.30).

Early drag (pick-and-roll).

Figure 11.24. Early drag (pick-and-roll). Player 5 sets a pick at the top or side for player 1. Player 1 dribbles off the pick, forcing player 5's defender to give help. Player 1 takes at least two dribbles past the pick to create space. Player 1 can then shoot a jump shot, pass to player 5 rolling to the basket, or pass to player 2, 3, or 4 spaced on the perimeter.

Early dribble drag (pick-and-roll).

Figure 11.25. Early dribble drag (pick-and-roll). Player 1 makes a dribble handoff to player 2. Player 5 sets a pick at the top or side for player 2. Player 2 dribbles off the pick, forcing player 5's defender to give help. Player 2 takes at least two dribbles past the pick to create space. Player 2 can then shoot a jump shot, pass to player 5 rolling to the basket, or pass to player 3 or 4 spaced on the perimeter.

Early double drag (pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop).

Figure 11.26. Early double drag (pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop). Players 5 and 4 set picks at the top or side for player 1. Player 1 dribbles off the picks, forcing player 5's and player 4's defenders to give help. Player 1 takes at least two dribbles past player 4's pick to create space. Player 1 can then shoot a jump shot, pass to player 5 rolling to the basket, pass to player 4 popping to the elbow, or pass to player 2 spaced in the corner.

Early wing pick-and-roll.

Figure 11.27. Early wing pick-and-roll. Player 1 passes to player 2 and cuts outside player 2 to the corner. Player 5 sets a pick at the wing for player 2. Player 2 dribbles off player 5's pick, forcing player 5's defender to give help. Player 2 takes at least two dribbles past the pick to create space. Player 2 can then shoot a jump shot, pass to player 5 rolling to the basket, or pass to player 1, 3, or 4 spaced on the perimeter.

Early step-up to pick-picker pick flare.

Figure 11.28. Early step-up to pick-picker pick flare. Player 2 sets a step-up pick above the wing for player 1. Player 1 dribbles off player 2's pick, forcing player 2's defender to give help. Player 5 sets a pick at the wing for player 2 (called pick the picker). Player 2 flares off player 5's pick, forcing player 5's defender to give help. Player 1 passes to player 2. Player 2 looks to shoot a jump shot, pass to player 5 rolling to the basket, or pass to player 1, 3, or 4 spaced on the perimeter.

Early step-up pick to corner pick-and-roll.

Figure 11.29. Early step-up pick to corner pick-and-roll. Player 2 sets a step-up pick above the wing for player 1. Player 1 dribbles off player 2's pick, forcing player 2's defender to give help. Player 1 continues to dribble to the corner. Player 5 sets a pick at the corner for player 1. Player 1 dribbles off player 5's pick, forcing player 5's defender to give help. Player 1 looks to shoot a jump shot, pass to player 5 rolling to the basket, pass to player 4 cutting to the weak-side post area, or pass to player 2 or 3 spaced on the perimeter.

Early backdoor to corner pick-and-roll.

Figure 11.30. Early backdoor to corner pick-and-roll. Player 2 cuts backdoor. If player 2 gets open on the backdoor cut, player 1 will pass to player 2. If player 2 is not open, player 2 continues to cut to the weak-side corner, and player 1 continues to dribble to the strong-side corner. Player 5 sets a pick at the corner for player 1. Player 1 dribbles off player 5's pick, forcing player 5's defender to give help. Player 1 looks to shoot a jump shot, pass to player 5 rolling to the basket, or pass to player 2, 3, or 4 spaced on the perimeter.

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Related pages:

• Continuity Ball-screen Offense
• Pick and Roll Plays
• The Box Offense - Pick and Roll Plays
• Pick and Roll Drills

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Coach Wissel has a wealth of NBA experience as an Assistant Coach with the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies and New Jersey Nets. Hal was also Director of Player Personnel with the Nets and Advance Scout with the Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks. As a head college coach, Wissel compiled over 300 victories. Hal coached Florida Southern College to the 1981 Division II NCAA Championship. Coach Wissel is well known for his ability to develop players.

Hal founded Basketball World, featuring camps, clinics, books, and DVDs. Coach Wissel’s SHOOT IT BETTER Mini Camps are conducted worldwide for players ranging from NBA to youth level. Wissel has a doctorate in physical education and has authored two books:

• Basketball: Steps to Success has been translated into three languages.
  
• Becoming a Basketball Player has been made into five excellent shooting DVD's.
  

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Edited from: Wissel, Hal. (2004). Basketball: Steps to Success. Second edition. Human Kinetics, Champaigh, IL.
Wissel, Hal. (2005). Basketball Shooting: Confidence, Rhythm and Mechanics. Basketball World, Suffield, CT.
Wissel, Hal. (2005). Basketball Shooting: Off the Pass, Off the Dribble and In the Post. Basketball World, Suffield, CT.
Hal Wissel's FIVE shooting DVD's - available at: www.basketballworld.com

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