Defending screens doesn't lend itself to brevity. Today's message is more an introduction than even incomplete. In Winning Defense, Del Harris devotes over twenty-five pages to defending various cross-screen actions. He emphasizes that knowledge and determination are critical to trying to control great offensive players. Harris points out that although college coaches get much of the public credit, they are usually overwhelmed at the extent of knowledge needed to defend pro offenses.
Figure 1. Cross-screen designed to get perimeter shot.
Figure 2. Typical cross-screen designed to get post player to the block.
How can we defend cross-screens?
General principles:
1. Communication is pivotal. No communication, no defense.
2. The first goal is to avoid switching small onto big.
3. Sacrifice your body.
4. Multiple coordinated efforts are needed to keep players "off the spot."
First, recognize that all situations are NOT created equal. In end-of-quarter, end-shot clock situations, most teams will automatically switch. The theory is that it is better to have a mismatch under pressure than to allow an uncontested shot.
But it's not as simple as that. In Figure 1, coordinated defensive work (multiple efforts) apply. x4 can bump the cutter (4) down to try to prevent her from using the screen. x2 also rolls down to prevent 4 from getting a free release.
In Figure 2, x1 has to bump both the cutter and impede 5's clear path; x5 should influence 5 hard to the baseline to impair the angle 5 has to get position and the ball. At all costs, the defense does not want to switch.
In other situations, coaches have to decide whether they want defenders (e.g. x4) to "lock and trail" or coordinate with x2 and "shoot the gap."
Coach Bennett simplifies. He demonstrates how he wants the screener's defender to protect the basket and the cutter's defender to "V and close out". "Chase the guy down."
The "trend" in professional basketball is toward both "small ball" and "switching everything." In the NBA finals last year, we saw players like Kevin Love defending on the perimeter, and watching the Celtics, I see Marcus Smart, Jae Crowder, and Jaylen Brown defending both perimeter and post players. You implement what works for your personnel and preferences. Our job is to translate theory into practice with young players.