Screens are part of nearly every basketball offense.
Whether it’s a cross screen, a drop screen, or a ball screen, typically teams will use some sort of screen move to give themselves an advantage.
However, sometimes these screens aren’t quite in the right position.
This can happen due to a mistake on the offensive side or because the defense is aggressive, forcing the screener to move and make illegal contact.
The result is a moving screen.
This article will explore what a move screen is, why it happens, and how players can avoid being asked to move a screen.
What are mobile screens in basketball?
A mobile screen is an illegal screen in which a screener makes contact that is not allowed because they do not remain still or move parts of their body to create contact.
Mobile screens can occur either with the ball, setting a screen for the ballhandler, or without the ball.
This often happens when a defender tries to avoid a screen by going over or over it, and the screener moves his body to create contact.
Referees generally determine whether an offense constitutes a legal screen or moving screen based on the following criteria:
- Feet set and positioned
- Do not tilt or slide
- No hip, shoulder or arm extension
If any of these three criteria are not met, then a mobile screen may be invoked.
Most common mobile screen examples
The most commonly whistled violations for illegal coverage are in the following three situations:
1. Filter still moving into place when contacted
Either the ballhandler was impatient or the screener was late and the screener was never really set until the defender hit him.
So since the screener makes contact before actually establishing position, this will be a moving screen.
2. The screener changes position when the defender has moved around them
Once the screener makes legal contact, he must remain stationary until the defender completely clears his screen.
A moving screen occurs when the screener moves his body to maintain contact as the defender moves around or through the screen.
3. Illegal contact with the body or limbs of security personnel
When the screener sees that the defender is going to completely avoid his screen, he will often make the mistake of sticking out his hips or leaning his body to create at least some contact.
Officials will almost always whistle on the moving screen because he’s not staying stationary or in the cylinder.
wait. Can the security inspector move?
While this seems like a very simple question, the answer is not so clear-cut.
The real answer is that the screener can move to effectively set their screen…but, they must re-establish the screen so that the defender has enough distance and time to avoid it.
Therefore, screeners are allowed to move to set up screens as long as the movement occurs before any contact occurs, rather than while it occurs.
This situation is common in law and occurs during staggered screens.
If the defender avoids the first screen, the second screener in the stagger can move and reestablish to ensure contact, as long as he can do this by setting up and giving the defender enough time and space.
What are the penalties for moving the screen?
A moving screen in basketball is considered an offensive foul.
Therefore, it will be considered a turnover when the defense gains possession of the ball closest to the point where the moving screen occurs.
This will also be considered a team foul against the guilty team.
However, free throws on the moving screen will not be taken even if the team is in bonus, as it is considered a team control foul.
Why do players need to move to cover?
A player may commit a moving screen foul for a number of reasons.
Let’s be honest, not all of this is the screener’s fault.
Here are some common reasons why screen movement occurs:
1. Bad timing
Typically, this means that the cutter or ballhandler does not wait for the screen to be set before attacking.
This often results in the screener being asked to run a screen because he doesn’t have time to really set up on the screen before contact occurs.
2. Active defense
If the defender is very tight and is able to get over the screen effectively, it will usually result in a moving screen, even if that’s not necessarily the case.
Due to the close distance between the ball handler and the screener, defenders will sometimes hit the screen awkwardly and get fouled, even without actually moving.
3. Lack of discipline
Sometimes screeners feel like they have to make contact with the defender, even if it means blatantly moving body parts and getting called a foul.
The receiver’s job is to be ready enough for the defender to force him into the pick-and-roll.
The screener simply needs to remain completely still and let the other players ensure that contact occurs.
Strategies to prevent screen movement
It’s extremely frustrating for a coach to be asked to run a screen on the move, since such mistakes are often completely avoidable.
Here are some tips to help your players avoid any mobile screens:
1. Do it early and be solid
In order to always give the defender enough time and space, the screener needs to focus on getting to their position as early as possible.
Once they get there, they should get used to setting up a screen with their feet shoulder-width apart, hands crossed in front of them, knees bent for balance, and completely still.
2. Settings screen
To ensure that the screener has enough time to prepare ahead of time, the receiving offensive player should always take the defender away from the screen to prepare.
Once the screener is in position, the cutter or ballhandler should attack off the screen, passing them as they pass.
3. Know when to scroll
This mostly applies when there is a ball screen, but the screener must wait until the ball handler or cutter clears the screen before rolling or sliding into the basket.
While a roll or slide a little early can sometimes be a good way to get out of a moving screen, it’s technically against the rules and may be whistled depending on the official.
4. Practice your drama
Likewise, one of the most common reasons for moving a screen is poor timing between the screener and the player receiving the screen.
Therefore, your team must practice their coverage plays frequently and understand not only their own role in the coverage play, but their teammates as well, especially when screens are involved.
in conclusion
For basketball coaches, few calls are more frustrating than mobile screens, often because they are avoidable.
But these calls continue to happen at every level of basketball due to poor timing, aggressive defenders, or just a lack of discipline.
But if you can teach your screeners to arrive early and when to set screens, your other players are able to set screens effectively, and all of your players understand your game inside and out, then hopefully your team can make moving screens a thing of the past.
