Are you inverting your ball screens?

Hey Coaches,

I wanted to start a conversation about a concept that's been gaining traction lately in basketball strategy: Inverted Ball Screens.

For those who might not be familiar, Inverted Ball Screens essentially flip the traditional ball screen dynamic on its head. Instead of a big setting a screen for a guard, it's the guard setting a screen for a big. It's a tactical adjustment that's been notably employed by several successful teams recently, including the Spurs with Wemby, the Nuggets with Jokic, the 76ers with Embiid, the Bucks with GA, and even at the college level with Indiana State.

One of the primary advantages of this approach is the strategic mismatch it creates. By putting a guard in the role of the screener, you're not only creating confusion for the defense but also putting your bigger players in positions to make high-impact plays. This can lead to more opportunities for guards to penetrate or shoot off the screen, while simultaneously allowing bigs to utilize their vision to find open teammates or exploit defensive gaps.

What's particularly exciting about Inverted Ball Screens is its potential to filter down to the high school level. It's a strategy that can be effectively implemented regardless of the level of play, offering coaches a versatile tool to enhance their offensive schemes. By hitting guards in the roller spot and leveraging the height advantage of bigger players to see over defenses, teams can unlock new dimensions in their offensive game plan.

But as with any tactical adjustment, there are considerations and nuances to explore. So, I'm curious to hear from all of you: What are your thoughts on Inverted Ball Screens? Have you experimented with this concept in your own coaching? And would you like to see more discussion or resources on how to effectively integrate it into your strategies?

Let's share our insights and experiences to keep pushing the boundaries of basketball innovation!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!