Pick and Roll- the most efficient offensive play in basketball

The Pick and Roll is one of the oldest, but most effective offensive plays in basketball. John Stockton and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz, ran the pick and roll to perfection. They are both future Hall of Fame basketball players and two of the 50 Greatest Players to ever play in the NBA. The Pick and Roll was the primary source of offense and gave both players scoring opportunities that opposing players had difficulty defending.

The "ball handler" dribbles the basketball toward the "screener" for the pick to be set. The "ball handler" has to utilize the pick by coming directly off of the "screener's" shoulder, making sure there is no space for the defender to slide through. If the defender is able to slide through the pick, the pick and roll immediately breaks down.

The "ball handler" proceed to dribble off of the "screener's" shoulder towards the basket. The "screener" then seals the defender on his outside hip and "rolls" towards the basket with his or her outside hand up for the pass. The "ball handler" has to make the decision to pass the basketball to the "screener" if he or she is open. If the "screener" is not open for the pass then the jump shot should be open for the "ball handler."

This is a simple play coaches can run at the youth and high school levels to get player open layups and jump shots. Remember, keep the game simple and players will execute!

Yours in Basketball,

Coach Stewart