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.
Actions And Plays
Ram Screen
The Ram Screen is a clever two-screen action that creates confusion by using a guard to screen for a big, then having that big immediately turn and set a ball screen.
Direct answer
What is Ram Screen?
The Ram Screen is a clever two-screen action that creates confusion by using a guard to screen for a big, then having that big immediately turn and set a ball screen.
Quick facts
| Category | Actions And Plays |
|---|---|
| Source volume | BASKETBALL_PLAY_VAULT.md |
What it is
- The Ram Screen is a clever two-screen action that creates confusion by using a guard to screen for a big, then having that big immediately turn and set a ball screen.
Why it matters
- Layered confusion: - Defenses typically call out "Ball screen!" but the Ram creates a ball screen that arrives with momentum rather than statically.
- Two screens in one fluid action: The big man's defender has just been screened and is momentarily behind the play when the big arrives to set the ball screen.
- Two screens in one fluid action: The ball handler's defender has not had time to prepare for the ball screen.
- Two screens in one fluid action: The guard who set the initial back screen is now floating free on the perimeter — their defender helped guard the back screen.
How it works
- A guard or wing (often stationed on the weak side or corner) cuts to the top of the key and sets a back screen on the opposing big man's defender — screening for the offensive center or power forward.
- The big man uses the guard's back screen to get a running start and pops to the ball handler's position at the top of the key.
- The big man immediately sets a ball screen for the primary ball handler.
- The guard who set the initial back screen continues their cut, often drifting to the corner or weak side.
- Dallas Mavericks have used Ram actions with Luka Dončić, using a guard to free the screener and then immediately putting Luka into a ball screen scenario.
Reads and counters
- Primary — PnR Attack: The ball handler uses the big's ball screen normally: attack the hedge/drop, read the big's roll, make the pass.
- The big's defender is behind the play, making the roll particularly effective.
- Secondary — Guard Corner Three: The guard who set the initial back screen is floating to the corner or wing.
- If the defense over-rotates to the ball screen, a skip pass to that guard produces a wide-open three.
- Tertiary — Big Pop: If the defense blitzes or hedges hard on the ball screen, the big pops to the three-point line (if they can shoot) for a mid-range or three-point attempt.
Bilingual terms
| English | Ram Screen |
|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | Ram掩护 |
| Traditional Chinese | Ram 掩護 |
Related concepts
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.
Pistol 5 — Full System Deep Dive
A side-entry system built around a playmaking 5 at foul-line extended, with DHO, backdoor, keep, and counter reads.
Ghost Screen Concept
A fake ball screen that manipulates switching rules by threatening contact, then slipping into space before the defense can settle.
Iverson Back Screen (Tom Izzo / Michigan State)
Tom Izzo has run this play for 15+ years (documented back to 2010).
Screen the Screener / Exit Action
Screen the Screener (also called Exit Action) is a rule-based counter that activates automatically after any primary screen.