How to Blitz Ball Screens Like Creighton
Look, we’re not here to turn 8th graders into NBA defenders. But if you want to give your kids the tools to disrupt good players, take control of the pace, and feel the fire of playing real defense as a team… the blitz is worth teaching.
This isn’t about trick plays. This is about commitment. About timing. About five players buying into a moment where pressure flips the game.
Let’s break it down.
What’s a Ball Screen Blitz?
Most teams hedge or switch. The blitz? You trap. Hard. You force the ball out of a playmaker’s hands before the action even begins. You make their best player uncomfortable, and you do it together.
You’re not sitting back.
You’re not waiting.
You’re setting the tone.
Step-by-Step: How Creighton Did It, and How You Can Teach It
1. The Guard Fights Over
Your guard doesn’t die on the screen. They chase the ball, right on the hip. They know help is coming, but they don’t coast. They sprint. That urgency makes the trap work.
Coaching Cue: “Chase over and smother.”
2. The Big Jumps Out, Early and Loud
No hesitation. No half-step. Your big has to explode into the trap, hands up, feet wide, and angle up the floor.
Coaching Cue: “Jump out and square the ball.”
This isn’t about size. It’s about energy. Your big sets the tone, the rest follow.
3. Trap Tight, No Gaps
The guard and big close the door. Tight trap. Hands high. Feet active. If there’s space, the ball handler escapes. If it’s tight, they freeze.
Coaching Cue: “Two-man wall. No gaps. No fouls.”
4. Backside Rotations Start Before the Trap is Done
While two trap, three are already moving. One sinks to cover the roller. One splits the weak-side shooters. One shows on the skip.
Coaching Cue: “Sink and fill. Rotate early.”
No panic. Just movement, trust, and awareness.
5. Recover Fast
The trap ends, and everyone sprints. The guard and big get out, the backside rotates again, and it’s back to playing sound defense.
Coaching Cue: “Trap and recover. No watching.”
Why It Worked for Creighton
In the NCAA Tournament, Creighton blitzed Jason Preston, Ohio’s best player, every time he touched a screen. They didn’t let him breathe. That wasn’t just a scheme, it was a message.
You can do the same. Use it against teams with one strong creator. Throw it in after a timeout. Mix it up when your kids need a shot of intensity.
Teaching the Blitz at Youth/HS Levels
Keep it Simple. Teach it in Layers:
Start 2-on-2: Just the guard and big working the trap. No ball watching. No jogging.
Add a Roller (3-on-3): Teach your low man to cover.
Go Live 4-on-4: Let the backside rotate under pressure.
5-on-5 Scramble: Force communication. Create chaos, then organize it.
Use film. Use repetition. Let them feel what connected defense actually looks like.
When to Blitz (and When Not To)
Blitz when:
You want to speed things up.
The other team has one ball handler you don’t trust.
Your players are hungry and locked in.
Don’t blitz if:
The roller is a dunk machine.
Your bigs can’t move their feet.
Your players aren’t talking.
This is a tool. Not a cure-all. But it does change things, if you teach it right.
Common Mistakes You’ll See
| Mistake | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Late trap | Ball handler slips through clean. |
| Lazy guard | 2-on-1 break. Easy points. |
| Slow rotation | Layup or open three. |
| Over-helping | Corner threes all day. |
Correct them before they show up in games. That’s the job.
Final Thoughts: Why You Teach This to Kids
Teaching the blitz isn’t just about trapping a ball screen. It’s about effort, communication, and five players trusting each other.
It’s not perfect. It’s not always pretty. But when it clicks, when your kids trap, rotate, recover, and believe, you’ll see something shift. Not just in how they play… but in how they compete.
And that’s the point.
