Legal Screen or Foul? Ball Screen With a Ref

Groups of four learn a simple on-ball screen while one member rules whether each screen is legal. It works screener positioning, using the screen and rule knowledge.

How to play

1. The teacher demonstrates a legal screen: feet still at shoulder width, arms crossed in front of the chest and set before contact (4 min).
2. 2v1 with a passive defender: the screener sets the screen and the ball handler brushes shoulders past it toward the hoop (5 min).
3. 2v1 with an active defender; the referee rules legal screen or foul and explains with the signal (8 min).
4. 2v2 with a ball screen, rotating all four roles every three possessions (6 min).
5. Group talk on the most common calls (2 min).

Rules

• The screener doesn't move, stick out elbows or hips on contact.
• The defender doesn't push the screener to get through.
• Respect the ref's call and discuss it afterward, not during play.
• Contact at controlled speed.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: act as the screener with the chair locked in place, which makes an excellent screen, or as referee.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: the referee uses signals only, with a green card for legal and red for foul.
• Students who fear contact: start as referee and move to ball handler when ready.

Learning goals

• Set a legal on-ball screen.
• Use the screen to gain an advantage.
• Judge the legality of a screen with sound criteria.

Equipment for a class of 25

• basketballs: 8
• basketball hoops: 6
• pinnies: 15

Teacher tip

Group students of similar size so contact is safe. The usual mistake is a screener stepping into the defender, which is the foul referees should call most.

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