Basketball Pick-and-Roll 2-on-2
In pairs, students learn the pick-and-roll: one player sets a screen on the ball handler's defender to free them up, then rolls to the basket. Students work on teamwork on offense, reading the defender and communicating on defense.
How to play
- Make groups of 4 (two pairs) at each basket or side basket; with 25 students, one group has 5 and rotates a player. Place a cone on the wing as the starting spot (3 min).
- Demo: the screener sets still, feet apart and arms close to the body, beside the ball handler's defender. The ball handler dribbles shoulder to shoulder past the screener.
- Practice 2-on-0, then 2-on-1 with a passive defender (6 min): after the screen, the screener rolls to the basket and gets a bounce pass if open.
- Play 2-on-2 (10 min): the attacking pair must use a screen before shooting. A basket off a screen is worth 2 points and any other basket is worth 1. Switch offense and defense every 3 possessions.
- At the end, each defending pair explains how they called out the screen ("screen right!").
Rules
- A screen is legal only if the screener is still before contact; moving or pushing is a foul.
- No elbows or extended arms when screening.
- Defenders call out screens loudly to avoid collisions.
- Each possession lasts no more than 15 seconds.
Variations
Easier
The defense is passive and may not switch after the screen.
Standard
2-on-2 with a required pick-and-roll before shooting.
Harder
Play 3-on-3, where the defense may switch or help with a third defender.
Adaptations
- Students with limited mobility: act as a fixed screener at a marked spot or as a perimeter passer.
- Students who are deaf or hard of hearing: the pair agrees on a hand signal to call for the screen.
- Lower fitness levels: spend more time in the passive-defender phase.
Learning goals
- Set a legal screen and roll to the basket.
- Read the defender to choose between shooting, driving or passing.
- Communicate on defense to handle the screen.
Equipment for a class of 25
- basketballs: 6
- basketball hoops: 6
- cones: 6
Teacher tip
The most common mistake is a moving screen; cue "get there, set, and hold." Explain the screen with two chairs before adding defenders.
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