What is an elevator screen in basketball? (explained)

The basketball court is filled with different types of screens, all looking to accomplish different things.

Cross screens try to get players open in the paint…

The back screen releases the cutter to the basket…

The ball screen gives the ball handler an advantage when the defender attacks the basket.

But what if you want a screen to free up shooters for outside shots?

then a elevator screen This is what you are looking for.

Below, we’ll break down how this action works, how to run and defend, and go over some game examples you can use with your team.

An elevator screen is when an offensive player (usually a shooter) cuts between two players before they come together and closes the gap before the defensive player can break through.

This should allow offensive players to catch passes for open outside shots as their defenders are trapped on the other side of the elevator screen.

To make it more effective, shooters will often set screens themselves before running through the gap, making it harder for defenders to recover in time.

This particular maneuver is called an elevator screen because when two screeners work together to close the gap, it looks like the elevator doors closing.

While the elevator barrier itself is difficult to defend, certain aspects of the move make it even more effective offensively:

This is the most important factor.

The two screeners and cutters must be perfectly in sync to create the open shot.

The screener must be perfectly aligned on the screen. Otherwise, the defender will run through the gap to contest the shot or draw a moving screen foul on the offensive player.

The ideal setup is for two post players to set screens for shooters cutting to the perimeter.

Leaving a non-shooter open at the three-point line doesn’t really put pressure on the defense, and having a defender set an elevator screen for another defender just leads to a defensive switch.

Placing your players in the right spots maximizes the chances of the elevator screen being effective and leading to a high shooting percentage for your team.

What makes this action almost unstoppable is its combination with a splash screen or orientation change.

If a shooter sets a lateral or back screen before running through the gap, his defender will almost certainly be caught on the wrong side.

If your lift screen is targeting a shooter on the open wing, you can start with a dribble in the opposite direction to limit the shooter’s defender to the paint, which will make the screen more effective.

It’s a dangerous move, but not unstoppable…

Here are a few ways the defense can try to slow things down:

The elevator screen play can be a tough screen, but there’s still a pass required before the play can actually materialize into an open shot.

So if you can scout your opponent and know when an elevator screen is coming into their range, you can have your on-ball defender put extra pressure on the ball or even cover the passer on one side so they can’t throw it to a shooter.

A lot of times, elevator screens tend to focus on one option, so if your defense can take the primary look away, it’s difficult for the offense to go in other directions.

This requires scouting, but it’s one of the best counters available.

If the defender stays glued to the shooter’s hip, it becomes nearly impossible for the screener to close the gap and set a legitimate screen.

Yes, your defender has to be fast. But a determined track on the screen is more damaging than trying to scramble for it in post.

This can cause other problems if there’s a cross-screen or back-screen in front of the elevator, but if you want to focus on eliminating sightlines outside of the elevator screen, athletic guards chasing shooters is a solid way to go.

Switching is not the first option here as it usually creates a mismatch…post players guarding shooters on the outside.

However, if you have a sports post and know the elevator screen is about to play, you can perform a quick switch to prevent easy viewing.

The easiest way to do this is to have the screener’s defender closest to the ball move up and grab the shooter, while the shooter’s defender slides up and makes contact with the screener.

If the transition happens quickly enough, it can lead to steals and fast-break layups.

The screen-on-screen sequence (cross screen, then elevator screen) puts the defense into a no-win situation.

The game starts with a box with the wings on the blocks and the posts on the elbows.

1 Start the game by dribbling out wide.

This marks 2 heading towards the help line, setting up cross cover for 3.

Depending on the skill set of player 3, player 3 can cut into the corner or play alone in the penalty area.

When 2 is ready for the cross screen, this signals 4 and 5 to turn and move closer to set up the elevator screen.

Once 3 is over 2’s shoulder, 2 runs to the top of the key for a potential pass and 3-point shot.

If there is a switch on the screen, 5 can jump into the box and post up because there is now a defender guarding him.

The workhorse of Princeton’s offense needs minimal adjustments to cut standard chins into elevator screens.

The offensive team moves the ball from positions 1, 4, and 3 on the wing to the outside.

After the first pass, 1 cuts the back screen from 5 above the elbow and cuts to the ball side blocker.

Once the ball reaches No. 3 on the wing, No. 4 and No. 5 come down and set up lift screens near the elbows on the ball side.

Player 1 quickly changes direction after touching the obstacle and walks to the slot to retrieve the ball from Player 3 for an outside shot.

This tactic uses misdirection to get the shooter open on the opposing wing…the defender looks to one side while the action occurs on the other side.

The match begins with the corner team, with the posts above the elbows and the wings in the corners.

The game starts with 1 making an elbow pass to 4 and cutting into the strong side corner as 2 walks into the penalty area.

When the initial pass occurs, Player 5 sets a screen for Player 3, allowing Player 3 to run above the free throw line to receive the dribble handoff from Player 4.

After receiving the handoff, No. 3 dribbles the ball a few more times, and No. 4 and No. 5 work together to set up an elevator screen for No. 2.

Player No. 2 runs through the lift screen to the opposite wing, receives the back pass from Player 3, and makes a possible three-point shot.

Of all the screens in basketball, the elevator screen is one of the most difficult to defend.

If the timing, placement, and setup are all right, an open look is almost guaranteed to result.

Grab one of the plays above, repeat it at your next practice, and watch your shooters start catching the ball with no one within six feet of them.