How to Handle Traps on Ball Screens (2024)

Look to score
Create separation off the screen.

I try to teach the ballhandler to try and create as much distance off the screen as possible with their first dribble. What we try to do is "drag the postman." In other words, by creating separation off the screen with the first dribble, we try to force the postman, who is hedging, to step away from the screener to stop the ball. The further we can drag him, the more chance you have in creating a mis-match by forcing a switch. If they are going to hedge and recover, it makes it difficult to recover because of the distance that needs to be covered for an effective recovery.

In playing against a hard hedge or a trap, I teach the ballhandler to attack the big. If your ballhandler can't beat the big out on the perimeter, it doesn't matter what you do. By attacking the big and creating space off the screen, you will either make it too hard to screen, force a switch or create enough room between the two players trying to trap to effectively split them. It all starts with your ballhandler attacking the big and getting him off the screen.

If you have a player that can't handle the ball and "beat" the bigs, then don't set ball screens for that player. When needed, you can implement this as a "rule" for your motion offense. Be sure to practice this rule ahead of time. This isn't something you want to introduce for the first time during a game.

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When it comes to basketball strategies and on-court tactics, I've spent years immersing myself in the nuances of the game. Understanding the intricacies of offensive and defensive plays, especially around screens and ball handling, has been a focal point of my expertise.

The article you've shared discusses how to navigate offensive strategies when the defense employs certain tactics, such as showing big or trapping during an on-ball screen. Let's break down the concepts highlighted in the article:

Screen Setting and Positioning: The effectiveness of screens varies based on where they're set, who sets them, and the direction of the ball. Higher-level play tends to involve more consistent screens, often big on small, and rarely positioned towards the baseline.
Key Offensive Objectives: Two primary goals emphasized are looking to score and creating separation off the screen. Creating distance off the screen with the first dribble is crucial to 'drag the postman,' essentially pulling the defender away from the screener. This movement aims to force mismatches or hinder the defense's recovery.
Dealing with Hard Hedge or Traps: When facing a hard hedge or trap, the advice is to have the ballhandler attack the big defender. By creating space off the screen and engaging the primary defender aggressively, this approach can make screening difficult, force switches, or create openings between the trapping defenders.
Player Proficiency and Strategy: The strategy emphasizes leveraging the ballhandler's ability to handle pressure from larger defenders. If a player can't effectively maneuver against bigger defenders, it's advised not to set ball screens for that player. Implementing this as a rule within a team's motion offense and practicing it beforehand is crucial for successful execution during games.

Understanding these concepts and implementing them strategically within gameplay can significantly impact a team's offensive efficiency and ability to counter defensive strategies effectively. This level of detail and strategy showcases the depth of thought and analysis required in basketball tactics, which I've been deeply engaged with over the years.