Flare Cut: Creating Perimeter Space
A flare cut (or flare screen cut) occurs when a screener sets a screen for an off-ball player on the perimeter, and the off-ball player cuts away from the basket using the screen to create space on the perimeter.
Individual Skills
Back Screens, Down Screens, Cross Screens, and Flare Screens
Beyond on-ball screens (ball handler uses the screen), off-ball screens create movement and spacing for non-ball handlers.
Direct answer
What is Back Screens, Down Screens, Cross Screens, and Flare Screens?
Beyond on-ball screens (ball handler uses the screen), off-ball screens create movement and spacing for non-ball handlers.
Quick facts
| Category | Individual Skills |
|---|---|
| Source volume | Basketball Knowledge Vault/vol2_intermediate_building_your_game.md |
What it is
- Beyond on-ball screens (ball handler uses the screen), off-ball screens create movement and spacing for non-ball handlers.
How it works
- Back screens are set behind a defender, often near the baseline or wing, allowing the cutter to flash to the rim.
- Down screens are set near the perimeter for a player cutting from the top toward the basket.
- Cross screens are set across the key, typically with a big screening for another big or a wing, allowing the cutter to flash to the opposite side.
- Flare screens are set on the perimeter for a player to create space to shoot or attack off the perimeter.
- Each of these screens has specific effectiveness in certain situations.
Bilingual terms
| English | Back Screens, Down Screens, Cross Screens, and Flare Screens |
|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | 背掩护、下掩护、横掩护与外展掩护 |
| Traditional Chinese | 背掩護、下掩護、橫掩護和 Flare 掩護 |
Related concepts
Using Ball Screens as a Handler
A ball screen (on-ball screen) is an off-ball player setting a legal screen for the ball handler.
Curl Cut: Movement Off Screens
A curl cut occurs when an off-ball player cuts around a screen set by a teammate, typically using the screen to change direction and cutting toward the ball or rim.
Crash vs. Get-Back Philosophy
Crash means crashing the offensive boards aggressively for a rebound.
Cross Screen
The Cross Screen is an off-ball screen set horizontally across the lane — from one side of the paint to the other — for a player posting up or cutting to the ball.
The Sprint Back Mentality
Transition defense begins the moment possession changes.