What Is a Ghost Screen?
A player runs toward a screener as if to use the screen but ghosts (runs past) the screen without making contact.
Actions And Plays
Ghost Screen Reads
Ghost + Iso: Guard ghosts the screen, takes the mismatch 1-on-1 against the big
Direct answer
What is Ghost Screen Reads?
Ghost + Iso: Guard ghosts the screen, takes the mismatch 1-on-1 against the big
Quick facts
| Category | Actions And Plays |
|---|---|
| Source volume | BASKETBALL_PLAY_VAULT.md |
What it is
- Ghost + Iso: Guard ghosts the screen, takes the mismatch 1-on-1 against the big
How it works
- Ghost + Quick Handoff: Guard ghosts, comes back immediately for a DHO from the big (big now has a guard on them)
- Ghost + Lob: Guard ghosts, big receives the pass with a small on them and goes to the basket
- Flat Screen Ghost: Ghost action combined with a flat (horizontal) screen to seal the switch
Reads and counters
- The screener reads his man's hips: if the big jumps out early to hedge or blitz, ghost it and pop before contact for a clean catch.
- The ball handler reads coverage on the ghost; if defenders switch, attack the switched big off the dribble before help loads to that side.
- On a switch the ghost screener reads his new man's size; a small triggers the seal and duck-in for a lob or post catch.
- Read the slip lane: if the screener's man stunts at the ball, hit the popping ghost for the catch-and-shoot or quick DHO.
- Read help rotation after the ghost; if the low man tags the slipping big, spray to the now-open weakside shooter.
Teaching cues
- Ghost it, don't touch
- Slip early, pop to the line
- Take the mismatch
- Seal and duck
- Spray to the corner
Bilingual terms
| English | Ghost Screen Reads |
|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | 幽灵掩护判读 |
| Traditional Chinese | 幽靈掩護讀法 |
Learn before and after
These graph neighbors help place Ghost Screen Reads in the larger basketball map.
Ghost Screen / Fake PnR
Mechanics: A Primary Ball Handler approaches the screener as if initiating a PnR, but the screener does not set a hard screen.
Related concepts
Ghost Screen Concept
A fake ball screen that manipulates switching rules by threatening contact, then slipping into space before the defense can settle.
What Is a Ghost Screen?
A player runs toward a screener as if to use the screen but ghosts (runs past) the screen without making contact.
Ghost Screen / Fake PnR
Mechanics: A Primary Ball Handler approaches the screener as if initiating a PnR, but the screener does not set a hard screen.
Flip Action / Handoff Into Immediate Ball Screen
Mechanics: An initial handoff occurs between two players (typically a Primary Ball Handler and a Secondary Ball Handler or Off-Screen Shooter).
Defending Ghost Screens
Communicate early (call "Ghost!" before the action)
Iverson Actions
A wing-to-wing cut across high screens that moves a scorer before the catch and flows into handoffs, post entries, or ball screens.