Ghost Screens: How to Confuse Switch Defenses
Setup
The ghost screen play begins with the ball handler positioned at the top or wing with the screener—typically a shooter or versatile forward—aligned nearby, ready to simulate a ball screen. This usually happens on a cleared side of the floor, meaning the corner is empty to maximize spacing. The defense is typically employing a switch-heavy scheme designed to counter traditional ball screens.
Execution
The screener approaches the on-ball defender as if to set a solid screen, walking toward them to sell the pick.
Just before making contact, the screener slips out sharply toward an open spot on the perimeter—usually the wing or top of the key—without actually setting the screen.
The ball handler reads the on-ball defender’s reaction, who often anticipates the screen and opens up slightly to navigate it.
This creates a clear driving lane for the ball handler to attack downhill.
Meanwhile, the screener now has space to catch a pass for a quick catch-and-shoot three.
The defender guarding the screener is forced to scramble, either hedging late or switching awkwardly, leading to mismatches or blown coverages.
Coaching Points
Sell the Screen: The screener must convincingly act like they are setting a pick. Body language and timing are crucial.
Timing is Key: The slip must happen just before contact. Too early or too late reduces effectiveness.
Spacing: Clear the corner and maintain proper spacing to maximize driving lanes and open shots.
Ball Handler Reads: The ball handler must be alert to the defender’s movement and ready to exploit hesitation.
Communication: Players need to recognize defensive switches and rotations quickly to pass or drive effectively.
Practice Decision Trees: Incorporate reads where the screener decides to slip, pop, or set a back screen depending on defender’s reaction.
Why It Works
Ghost screens capitalize on defensive habits in switch-heavy systems that rely on physical contact to trigger switches. Since the screen never actually occurs, defenders are left reacting to a phantom action, leading to hesitation or poor decisions. This creates:
No Contact, No Switch: Defenders often switch on contact; with no screen set, the switch is delayed or missed.
Spacing Advantage: The screener popping out stretches the defense, forcing defenders to cover more ground.
Mismatches: Defensive confusion can cause a big to guard a smaller guard or a slower defender to close out on a shooter.
Driving Lanes: The ball handler gains a downhill angle as the defender opens up prematurely, creating opportunities to attack or kick out.
Variations
Clear Side vs. Ball Side: Run ghost screens on a cleared side to eliminate help defense, or adapt for ball side with more complex spacing.
Back Screen Option: If the screener reads a tight defender, they can set a back screen before popping out for a shot.
Pop or Slip Reads: The screener adjusts based on defender aggression—pop immediately if hedged aggressively, or slip if defender hesitates.
Incorporate into Spain Pick & Roll: Use ghost screen as part of stacked actions to confuse defenses further.
Use with Different Personnel: Ghost screens work best with shooters or quick forwards who can slip and catch effectively but can be adapted for big men in specific matchups.
Setup Detailed
Positioning is vital for the ghost screen to work. The ball handler starts near the top of the key or wing, with the screener usually at the elbow or high post, ready to approach the ball defender. Coaches should clear the corner on the same side by positioning a weak-side shooter away from the play, ensuring no help defender can easily rotate. This spacing forces defenders into tough decisions and opens driving lanes.
For example, if the ball is at the right wing and the screener approaches from the high right elbow, the right corner should be empty, pulling the defender away from the paint and leaving fewer options for help defense.
Execution In-Depth
The screener’s approach must be deliberate to convince defenders that a solid pick will be set. This means maintaining a walking pace, showing a clear screen stance, and keeping eyes on the on-ball defender to sell the intention.
At the last moment before contact, the screener abruptly slips out—moving quickly and cutting to open space, usually toward the wing or top of the key. This movement resembles a pick-and-pop but without any actual contact or screen set.
The on-ball defender, expecting contact, opens their stance to navigate around the pick. Because there’s no contact, the defender momentarily hesitates, creating a slight driving lane for the ball handler to exploit. Simultaneously, the defender guarding the screener is forced to decide: hedge, switch, or recover. Often they hedge late or switch awkwardly, resulting in blown coverages.
The ball handler can then drive downhill with momentum or pass to the screener who is now open for a catch-and-shoot three.
Coaching Points Explained
Sell the Screen: Use body language and eye focus to simulate a screen effectively. The defender’s reaction depends on how believable the fake is. This requires repetition in practice.
Timing: The slip should be crisp and timed perfectly just before the defender expects contact. Practicing this timing is crucial.
Spacing: Coaches should drill players on maintaining proper floor spacing. Empty corners and wide lanes make the ghost screen lethal.
Ball Handler Reads: The ball handler must be trained to observe the defender’s footwork and upper body positioning to know when to drive or pass.
Communication: When defenders switch or hedge late, teammates must communicate quickly to adjust coverage and spacing accordingly.
Read-Reacts: Teaching the screener to recognize if the defender plays aggressively or conservatively allows for in-the-moment decisions: back screen, pop, or slip.
Why It’s So Effective
Switch defenses rely heavily on contact and physical cues to trigger switches and rotations. The ghost screen removes this trigger, causing hesitation. Defenders must guess or react late, which leads to mismatches or open shots.
Additionally, the spatial distortion caused by the screener slipping away stretches the defense and isolates defenders in tough positions. The offense gains both numerical and positional advantages.
For example, a big forced to guard a quick shooter on the wing struggles to contest a three-point shot, while the ball handler enjoys a clear driving lane without timely help defense.
Variations and Adjustments
Running ghost screens on the clear side maximizes spacing, but some teams may run them on ball side if they can create additional movement or misdirection.
Adding a back screen if the screener notices the defender is overplaying or stays tight forces the defender to navigate multiple obstacles.
Incorporating ghost screens in Spain Pick & Roll actions or other layered sets adds complexity and confusion to defensive reads.
Adjust personnel to fit your team’s strengths; shooters and agile forwards thrive in ghost screen roles but centers with mobility can also slip effectively.
Against aggressive hedge defenses, instruct the screener to pop early rather than slip to maintain spacing and shot opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Ghost screens offer a simple, elegant solution to breaking down switch-heavy and hedge defenses. They combine timing, spacing, and deception to create high-quality scoring chances with minimal risk. Coaches can easily add this to their offensive arsenal, providing players with a powerful weapon against modern defensive schemes.
