Defending Middle Pick-and-Rolls

Defending Middle Pick-and-Rolls

By: Lee Rose

Originally Published in: Winning Basketball Fundamentals -

Provided by: Human Kinetics

The middle pick-and-roll is difficult to defend because the screener is typically a big man who screens and then rolls to the basket. Alternatively, the big man may be a good perimeter shooter who pops out for the medium-range jumper. Defending these sets takes much practice and team coordination. The all-important defensive decision comes at the point of the screen, with 05 screening X1. How the defense handles this screen determines success or failure.

A defense that cannot control the point of the screen in a straight man-to-man will need to practice various methods and find an acceptable option. Many times on defense, a coach must choose the best of the worst options because of the talent disparity. Playing straight up on great players and great play sets may be the kiss of death. Dallas made an intelligent defensive adjustment in game 7 of the 2011 NBA Finals by playing zone against Miami. Dallas knew that guarding Wade, Bosh, and James man-to-man would be almost impossible, but the zone took Miami out of their patterns, their timing, and their comfort zone.

When trying to overcome a talent deficit, defending the pick-and-roll straight up is not an option. This process is complicated, and coaches may want to consider these options: a hard hedge and back (the big man steps out and does not let the dribbler split him and the other defender or turn the corner; the big man shows hard but does not let the dribbler penetrate); a trap, a soft open up and under (in which the defender stays back and does not commit to attacking or faking at the ball handler) in an attempt to eliminate 01's drive; or an automatic switch and play soft on 01.

Coverage options vary, but maintaining close defensive presence on both the ball handler and the screener is a major goal. The defense cannot give 01 an open drive, 05 a layup on a roll to the basket, or 04 an open 15-foot (4.5 m) pop-out shot rotating high off 05's dive to the basket. They must also contend with not allowing 02 or 03 open looks at three-point shots. This diagram shows the various shots that must be defended in the middle pick-and-roll.

DEFENDING MIDDLE PICK-AND-ROLLS

Focus
Execution, communication, and technique versus the middle pick-and-roll.

Procedure
Players begin five on five on the half court. Follow these steps:

1. 01 begins with the ball above the top of key. 02 is at the right-side free-throw line extended, and 03 is at the left-side free-throw line extended, both above the three-point line. 05 is located at the top of the key, ready to set a screen for 01, and 04 sits at the left low post, opposite the way that 01 will drive.

2. 01 runs the play to the right side. 05 sets up to screen above the top of the circle, the left shoulder toward midcourt. X1 and X5 must communicate and defend against 05's screen. Defending at the point of the screen means not letting 01 split XI and X5 on the initial contact. Hearing a signal from X5, XI can drop back even with 05, avoiding the screen and playing soft to keep 01 in front of him or XI can attack 01, attempting to double up with X5. X1 may also use one of the other options mentioned previously.

3. Keeping 01 in front of X1 is the key. If X1 plays soft and stays in front of 01, then X2 and X3 can stay home and reduce the possibility of a three-pointer. This also cuts down on 01's ability to draw and kick. In figure 8.9, X1 and X5 are able to contain 01.

4. When X5 stays with the dribbler, 05 rolls immediately to the basket, forcing the defense to rotate. As 05 rolls to the basket, 04 pops up the lane, which puts the offense in an advantageous position for a high—low opportunity. To eliminate rotations, a defense can play zone, switch, or attack the ball handler to force him away from the screen.