Coming Off Screen Tight and Hip-to-Hip Contact
The moment the ball handler uses the screen is critical.
Individual Skills
Double Screen (Off-Ball)
An Off-Ball Double Screen involves two offensive players setting simultaneous screens for one cutter — not in sequence (that is a stagger), but at the same time, side by side.
Direct answer
What is Double Screen (Off-Ball)?
An Off-Ball Double Screen involves two offensive players setting simultaneous screens for one cutter — not in sequence (that is a stagger), but at the same time, side by side.
Quick facts
| Category | Individual Skills |
|---|---|
| Source volume | BASKETBALL_PLAY_VAULT.md |
What it is
- An Off-Ball Double Screen involves two offensive players setting simultaneous screens for one cutter — not in sequence (that is a stagger), but at the same time, side by side.
How it works
- - Over the Top: The defender goes above both screens, staying between the shooter and the ball.
- Over the Top: The defender goes above both screens, staying between the shooter and the ball. This is the most athletic response and works against fadeable shooters who are quick.
- Under Both Screens: The defender surrenders the outer arc and contests at the three-point line. Works only against non-shooters.
- Switch: If both screeners are the same type of defender, switching works well. If they are different sizes, the switch creates a mismatch.
- Help Principles: A helper temporarily sags toward the cutter's destination to create a moment of congestion, buying time for the defender to recover.
Reads and counters
- Read 1 — Curl: The cutter runs off the inside shoulder of the nearest screener, curling toward the ball and the basket.
- If the defender is trailing or sagging toward the paint, the curl creates a catch near the elbow or short corner for a mid-range shot or drive.
- Read 2 — Fade: The cutter reverses direction after approaching the screen, flaring to the corner or three-point line.
- If the defender is chasing hard, the fade leaves them tangled in the double screen while the cutter catches for an open three.
- Read 3 — Straight Cut: The cutter goes directly through the gap between the two screeners (if any gap exists) or in a straight line toward the ball.
Bilingual terms
| English | Double Screen (Off-Ball) |
|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | 无球双掩护 |
| Traditional Chinese | 雙掩護（無球） |
Related concepts
Off-Screen Shooter
Definition: Scores almost exclusively off designed screening actions: pin-downs, flare screens, handoffs, back screens.
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.
Ball Screen Defense
The coverage menu for guarding pick-and-roll: drop, hedge, switch, ICE, blitz, and the rotations each choice demands.
The Three Core Ball Screen Coverages
Switch. Defenders swap assignments on the screen. Strength: Takes away all ball screen reads immediately; no help needed.
NBA Double Screen BLOB Series
A baseline out-of-bounds series where two players set side-by-side double screens; the cutter picks a side to come off, and a screener slips or rolls to the rim once the cutter clears.