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).
Actions And Plays
Screen the Screener / Exit Action
Screen the Screener (also called Exit Action) is a rule-based counter that activates automatically after any primary screen.
Direct answer
What is Screen the Screener / Exit Action?
Screen the Screener (also called Exit Action) is a rule-based counter that activates automatically after any primary screen.
Quick facts
| Category | Actions And Plays |
|---|---|
| Source volume | BASKETBALL_PLAY_VAULT.md |
What it is
- Screen the Screener (also called Exit Action) is a rule-based counter that activates automatically after any primary screen.
Why it matters
- Player A's defender has just been focused on defending the screen Player A set — they are physically and mentally committed to the primary action.
- Player A is now using a screen themselves, and their defender is often flat-footed, out of position, or caught watching the ball.
- If the defense switches the exit screen, Player A (often a big or forward) is being guarded by a smaller player — a post mismatch.
How it works
- Player A sets a screen for Player B (a downscreen, cross screen, or back screen).
- Player B uses the screen and creates an action (catches, drives, or shoots).
- While this happens, Player C sets a screen on Player A — the original screener.
- Player A uses Player C's screen to: pop to the perimeter, cut to the basket, or flash to the elbow.
- The exit screen must happen as Player A is finishing their original screen, not after Player A has stood and watched.
Reads and counters
- Pop: If the defense tries to sag and avoid the screen, Player A pops to the three-point line for a shot.
- Cut / Dive: If the defense goes under the exit screen, Player A cuts hard to the basket for a catch or offensive rebound position.
- Slip / Back-Cut: If the defense anticipates the exit screen and tries to switch early, the screener (Player C) slips the screen to the basket before contact, while Player A back-cuts or relocates into the opening.
Bilingual terms
| English | Screen the Screener / Exit Action |
|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | 掩护掩护者 / Exit动作 |
| Traditional Chinese | 篩選篩選器/退出操作 |
Learn before and after
These graph neighbors help place Screen the Screener / Exit Action in the larger basketball map.
Related concepts
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).
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.
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).
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.
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.