Setting screens is a part of almost every basketball offense.
Whether it’s a cross screen, a down screen, or a ball screen, generally teams use some sort of screening action to give themselves an advantage.
However, there are times when these screens aren’t quite in the right spot.
This can occur either because of a mistake by the offense or due to the aggressiveness of the defense, forcing the screener to move and make illegal contact.
The result of this is a moving screen.
This post will take a look at what a moving screen is, why moving screens tend to happen, and how players can keep from getting called for a moving screen.
What is a Moving Screen in Basketball?
A moving screen is a type of illegal screen in which the screener makes contact that is not allowed because they do not stay stationary or they move some part of their body to create contact.
Moving screens can occur either in on-ball situations, where the screen is being set for the ball handler, or in off-ball situations as well.
This will often happen when a defender attempts to avoid the screen by going over or under it, and the screener shifts his body to create contact.
Referees are typically watching for the following criteria to determine if the offense is setting a legal or moving screen:
- Feet set and position established
- No leaning or sliding
- No hip, shoulder, or arm extensions
If any of these three standards aren’t met, then a moving screen will likely be called.
Most Common Instances of Moving Screens
An offense gets called for an illegal screen most often in these three instances:
1. The screener is still moving into position at the time of contact
Either because the ball handler was impatient or the screener was late, the screener was never actually set before the defender ran into him.
So, because the screener made contact before ever actually establishing position, this would be a moving screen.
2. The screener changes position after the defender is already moving to get around them
Once a screener has made legal contact, he must remain stationary until the defender completely clears his screen.
A moving screen occurs if the screener moves his body to maintain contact as the defensive player is working his way around or through the screen.
3. The screener’s body or limbs create illegal contact
When a screener sees that a defender is going to avoid his screen altogether, he will often make the mistake of sticking out a hip or leaning over to create at least some contact.
Officials will almost always whistle this for a moving screen, as he did not remain stationary or in his cylinder.
Wait. Can Screeners Move At All?
While this might seem like a very straightforward question, the answer is not quite so clear-cut.
The actual answer is that screeners CAN move to set up their screens effectively… however, they must re-establish the screen so that the defender has enough distance and time to avoid it.
Therefore, the screener is allowed to move to set a screen as long as the movement happens BEFORE any contact occurs, not as it’s happening.
A common legal occurrence of this can take place during a stagger screen.
If a defender avoids the first screen, the second screener in the stagger can move and re-establish to guarantee contact, as long as he can do so by getting set and giving the defender enough time and space.
What is the Penalty for a Moving Screen?
A moving screen in basketball is considered an offensive foul.
Therefore, it would be considered a turnover with the defense gaining possession of the basketball nearest to the point where the moving screen occurred.
It would also count as a team foul for the guilty squad.
However, even if a team is in the bonus, there will be no free throws shot on a moving screen because it is considered a team control foul.
Why do Players Commit Moving Screens?
Players can commit moving screen fouls for several reasons.
And honestly, not all of these are even the screener’s fault.
Here are some common reasons moving screens happen:
1. Poor timing
Usually, this means that a cutter or ball handler does not wait for the screen to be set before attacking.
This often leads to the screener being called for a moving screen because he hasn’t had time to actually get set on a screen before the contact occurs.
2. Aggressive defense
If a defender plays very tight defense and can fight over screens effectively, it can often lead to a moving screen being called, even if that wasn’t necessarily the case.
With a tight window between the ball handler and the screener, the defender will sometimes hit the screen awkwardly and draw the foul, even if there was really no moving.
3. Lack of discipline
Sometimes screeners feel they must initiate contact with a defender, even if that means blatantly moving a body part and being called for a foul.
It is the receiving player’s job to set up the defender well enough to force him to hit the screen.
The screener just needs to stay completely stationary and let the other player ensure that contact happens.
Strategies to Prevent Committing a Moving Screen
Getting called for a moving screen is a very frustrating call for a coach because it is a turnover that is typically completely avoidable.
Here are some tips to help your players avoid committing any moving screens:
1. Be early and solid
In order to always give defenders enough time and space, screeners need to focus on arriving at their spot early.
Once they are there, they should get used to setting a screen with their feet shoulder-width apart, hands crossed in front of them, knees bent for balance, and completely stationary.
2. Set up the screen
To ensure the screener has enough time to get set early, the receiving offensive player should always walk his defender away from the screen to set it up.
Once the screener is set, that’s when the cutter or ball handler should then look to attack off the screen, rubbing shoulders as they go by.
3. Know when to roll
This is mainly for on-ball screen situations, but the screener must wait to roll or slip to the basket only AFTER the ball handler or cutter clears the screen.
While rolling or slipping a tad early can be a great way to sometimes get away with a moving screen, it is technically against the rules and can get called, depending on the officials.
4. Practice your plays
Again, one of the most common reasons for a moving screen is due to poor timing between the screener and the player receiving the screen.
So, it is a must that your teams practice their screening plays often and understand not just their roles on the plays, but also their teammates, especially when there is a screen involved.
Conclusion
There are few calls as frustrating as a moving screen for basketball coaches, usually because they are so avoidable.
But because of poor timing, an aggressive defender, or just a lack of discipline, these calls continue to happen at all levels of basketball.
But if you can teach your screeners to arrive early and when to roll, your other players to set up the screens effectively, and all of your players to understand your plays inside and out, then hopefully you can make moving screens a thing of the past for your team.
