The Ball Screen Offense That "Busts" Every Coverage

Hedge & recover.

Switch.

Drop.

Trap.

Ice.

Jam.

That’s just a partial list of the ball screen coverages your team will face if you run a pick and roll offense.

One problem this presents is having EFFECTIVE & SIMPLE solutions to whatever the defense does.

Many effective solutions aren’t simple. And many simple ones aren’t effective.

That’s not the case with the 20 Ball Screen Offense With Don Showalter. 10x Gold Medal coach Don Showalter has an offense that uses the same spacing against virtually every coverage.

This makes the offense easier for you to teach and for your players to understand.

Let’s take a look at the spacing solution that gives your team the right answer in every situation!

How The 20 Ball Screen Offense Attacks 2 Common Coverages

1. Switching

In the last 5 years, I would say switching has become the primary ball screen coverage. Coaches like it because it’s simple and it’s a coverage that only requires 2 players, keeping you out of rotation.

Here’s how the 20 Ball Screen Offense attacks it.



After the initial wing pass, 1 cuts away. 4 drops to the block.



When the switch occurs, 2 has a couple options:

• Attack 5 if the switch created a mismatch
• Back the dribble out to create space for an entry pass


As 2 comes off the screen, 5 rolls hard to the block and immediately seals x2.

2 looks to throw the entry pass.

If x4 is helping across on a post entry, 4 could flash to the high post for a hi-lo opportunity or free throw line shot.

2. Trapping 

Trapping the ball screen is commonly used for a couple reasons:

• To get the ball out of the hands of a talented guard.
• To try to force a turnover.

Here’s how the 20 Ball Screen Offense With Don Showalter uses the same spacing to solve this problem.



When the trap occurs, 2 wants to keep their dribble alive and create space by dribbling back towards half court.

That gives time for the other players to react and attack.



3, 4, & 5 become passing options to create a 4v3.

• 5 rolls wide to make x4 cover more space.
• 3 flashes high to make x3 cover more space.
• 4 flashes to the free throw line.

Channel Your Inner Einstein

Albert Einstein famously noted that simplicity is the highest form of genius.

Over my 20 years of coaching, I’ve come to the same realization.

Early in my coaching career, I wanted creative solutions for everything our opponent could throw at us. I was sure they would be confused by our brilliance.

Unfortunately, the ones who usually ended up confused were us!

That’s what’s so genius about Coach Showalter’s system. By using similar spacing no matter the coverage, your players don’t get caught overthinking. They are ready to respond and punish your opponent!


For more coverage solutions, culture building gems, and the complete system, be sure to check out 20 Ball Screen Offense With Don Showalter.




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