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The Spain pick and roll action was introduced several years ago by Spain's national team. It involves three players with a high pick and roll set at the middle of the floor by a post player, who then also receives a back-screen from a guard - a "screen the screener" action. The other two players occupy the corners.
Screener: Typically a big player who sets the initial ball screen and rolls towards the basket.
Shooter: A perimeter player who sets the back screen on the screener's defender and then pops out for a potential shot.
Back Screen Action: As the screener rolls to the basket, the shooter sets a back screen on the screener's defender.
Popping to the Perimeter: After setting the back screen, the shooter moves to the 3-point arc, looking for a catch-and-shoot opportunity. It the big's defender leaves his man (hedging on the pick and roll), the shooter should forget the back-screen and just pop out to the arc.
See the diagrams below. O1 gets a ball-screen from O5 and dribbles around that screen. Meanwhile, O2 back-screens for O5 (diagram 2). O5 rolls to the hoop, using the back-screen, and O2 pops out to an open spot on the arc. The ball-handler can attack with the dribble (diagram 3) or shoot a pull-up jump-shot, or he can pass to O5 rolling inside, or to O2 for an open 3-point shot, or to O3 in the corner.
This action is difficult to defend. O5 could be open on the roll cut. But if the X2 defender helps on O5, then O2 (your shooter) will be open for the 3-point shot. With the confusion created by the extra screen, O1 can often attack with the dribble. The "Wolverine" play and video below also shows a Spain pick and roll.
Defensive Confusion - with a 3-on-2 advantage, it's hard to cover all the options, with confusion on the pick and roll, and confusion on the "screen the screener" action. Switching the back-screen often leads to mis-matches.
Flexibility - Spain can be used with almost any offensive set that uses the pick and roll.
Diagram 2 shows O1 attacking and lobbing a pass to O5 who cuts around O4's screen to the hoop. This works if the post defender helps on O1's dribble-drive, leaving O5 open. If the post defender does not help, O1 attacks for the layup.
If O1 is stopped inside, a jump-stop followed by a kickout pass to O2, or to O4 (now on top), may result in an open 3-point shot.
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Spain Pick and Roll Action
By Dr. James Gels, From the Coach’s Clipboard Basketball Playbook"Helping coaches coach better..."
The Spain pick and roll action was introduced several years ago by Spain's national team. It involves three players with a high pick and roll set at the middle of the floor by a post player, who then also receives a back-screen from a guard - a "screen the screener" action. The other two players occupy the corners.
Three player action:
Ball Handler: The player with the ball who uses the screen to create scoring opportunities.Screener: Typically a big player who sets the initial ball screen and rolls towards the basket.
Shooter: A perimeter player who sets the back screen on the screener's defender and then pops out for a potential shot.
3 Actions:
Setting the Ball Screen: The screener (big) moves to the middle of the court to set a screen for the ball handler.Back Screen Action: As the screener rolls to the basket, the shooter sets a back screen on the screener's defender.
Popping to the Perimeter: After setting the back screen, the shooter moves to the 3-point arc, looking for a catch-and-shoot opportunity. It the big's defender leaves his man (hedging on the pick and roll), the shooter should forget the back-screen and just pop out to the arc.
See the diagrams below. O1 gets a ball-screen from O5 and dribbles around that screen. Meanwhile, O2 back-screens for O5 (diagram 2). O5 rolls to the hoop, using the back-screen, and O2 pops out to an open spot on the arc. The ball-handler can attack with the dribble (diagram 3) or shoot a pull-up jump-shot, or he can pass to O5 rolling inside, or to O2 for an open 3-point shot, or to O3 in the corner.
This action is difficult to defend. O5 could be open on the roll cut. But if the X2 defender helps on O5, then O2 (your shooter) will be open for the 3-point shot. With the confusion created by the extra screen, O1 can often attack with the dribble. The "Wolverine" play and video below also shows a Spain pick and roll.
There are several advantages:
Multiple Scoring Options - The ball handler can drive, shoot, or pass to the rolling screener, or to the popping shooter.Defensive Confusion - with a 3-on-2 advantage, it's hard to cover all the options, with confusion on the pick and roll, and confusion on the "screen the screener" action. Switching the back-screen often leads to mis-matches.
Flexibility - Spain can be used with almost any offensive set that uses the pick and roll.
"Wolverine"
This play used by the Michigan Wolverines incorporates a Spain pick and roll (see below). See diagram 1 below for the initial 4-out setup. O2 cuts through to the opposite corner as O3 lifts to the wing. O1 dribbles left to set up the angle for the pick and roll. O5 sprints up and ball-screens for O1, who attacks around the screen. O4 slides a little inside, and then back-screens for O5.Diagram 2 shows O1 attacking and lobbing a pass to O5 who cuts around O4's screen to the hoop. This works if the post defender helps on O1's dribble-drive, leaving O5 open. If the post defender does not help, O1 attacks for the layup.
If O1 is stopped inside, a jump-stop followed by a kickout pass to O2, or to O4 (now on top), may result in an open 3-point shot.
Related pages:
