How to Run a Simple Pick-and-Roll Offense
The pick-and-roll is one of the most used—and most misunderstood—actions in basketball.
When taught the right way, it can turn average offenses into efficient scoring machines.
But here’s the thing… it’s not just about setting a screen and hoping something good happens.
It’s about spacing. It’s about reading. It’s about making defenders make hard choices.
This guide will break down:
What makes a pick-and-roll work
How to teach it at any level
Key reads for both the ball handler and screener
Simple teaching points you can implement right away
Why the Pick-and-Roll Works at Every Level
The pick-and-roll forces the defense to make decisions.
Do they switch? Hedge? Drop? Blitz?
No matter what they choose, they leave something open—if your players know how to read it.
A well-run pick-and-roll creates:
Driving lanes for the ball handler
Easy finishes or slips for the screener
Kick-out passes to open shooters
Mismatches when defenders switch
Setting Up the Pick-and-Roll: Spacing Comes First
Before you even talk about the screen, you need to get your players to space the floor properly.
Key Spacing Tips:
Clear the backside—don’t crowd the lane.
Place shooters or cutters in the opposite corners to hold help defenders.
Give the ball handler room to attack downhill.
Step 1: The Screener’s Role
The screener isn’t just a body standing in the way—they set the tone for the action.
What to Teach Your Screener:
Sprint into the Screen
Coming in slow makes it easy to defend. Sprint to create urgency.
Set a Strong, Legal Screen
Feet wide, stance low, back facing the direction you want the ball handler to go.
Roll or Pop with Purpose
Reverse pivot to show a target hand.
Roll to the rim or pop to space, depending on the coverage.
Step 2: The Ball Handler’s Job
A great screen means nothing if the ball handler doesn’t use it the right way.
What to Teach Your Ball Handler:
Set Up the Defender
Use a hesitation or change of pace to get the defender leaning away from the screen.
Attack the Screen’s Top Foot
Go tight to the screener’s hip—don’t give defenders space to recover.
Read the Defense
If the big drops, look for a pull-up or pocket pass.
If they switch, attack the mismatch.
If they blitz, retreat dribble and hit the screener on the short roll.
Deliver the Pass Early
Use a pocket bounce pass or overhead pass before the defense recovers.
Common Defensive Coverages (And How to Beat Them)
Drop Coverage
Ball handler: Pull-up jumper or floater.
Screener: Short roll for a mid-range or paint touch.
Switch
Ball handler: Attack the mismatch or post up the smaller defender on the screener.
Hedge/Blitz
Ball handler: Retreat and hit the screener in space (short roll).
Under the Screen
Ball handler: Stop and shoot behind the screen.
Bonus Read: Rejecting the Screen
Sometimes, the best option is to fake the screen and attack the other way.
Teach your ball handler to:
Read the on-ball defender’s position.
Attack the open side if the defender jumps the screen early.
Simple Pick-and-Roll Drills to Build Confidence
1. Screen and Roll Breakdown
No defense.
Practice sprinting into the screen, setting angles, and rolling with a target hand.
2. On-Ball Reading Drill
Add one defender.
Ball handler practices reading and attacking based on defender’s reaction.
3. Live 2-on-2 Pick-and-Roll
Full-speed, live defense.
Teach players to make decisions in real time.
Teaching Tips for Coaches
Keep spacing simple—too many cutters clog the lane.
Slow the reps down first, then speed them up as players improve.
Reward the right reads, not just made shots.
Film your sessions and review spacing, reads, and decisions.
Remind players: It’s not about the screen—it’s about what comes after.
Final Thoughts: Simplicity Wins
The pick-and-roll doesn’t have to be complicated.
In fact, the simpler your teaching points, the more your players will execute under pressure.
Focus on:
Proper spacing
Sprint-into-screens
Smart reads
Purposeful rolls or pops
And your team will be ready to run one of the most game-changing actions in basketball.
