Using screens effectively has almost become a lost art.  Screening and playing off screens are some of the most essential components to being an efficient offensive player.  Just ask Rip Hamilton, Reggie Miller, Michael Redd, Ray Allen and all other great shooters and scorers.

The Fade Screen is one screen in particular that we use a lot in European basketball.  The Fade Screen is the screen set on either wing or corner.  Usually the screen is set slightly diagonal near the top of the key or baseline corners, in order to provide an angle to have room to make a move.  The reason we use this sort of screen so frequently is because it allots us several options once the pick is utilized.

These options include:

1. Shot
2. Lob
3. Post Up
4. Hand-off
5. Pick & Roll

The first option being the SHOT is usually the result of a good screen and a proper read.  If the defender goes below the screen, you fade to the wing.  This catches the defender behind the screen so that you have enough space to catch, square, and shoot immediately.

The LOB is an option if the defender follows you over the top of the screen.  In this scenario, you have a step on the defender and a chance to get to the rim.  The POST UP option is the alternative to the LOB option.  If the LOB isn’t available, the extra step still allows you turn and seal your defender in the lane for a potential post up.

Now if all the above options are taken away, the HAND-OFF is another choice.  Once you have run off of the top of the screen and attempted to get the LOB and POST UP, the pass comes to the screener allowing you to come out of the post to receive a HAND-OFF from that previous screener.  Once you’ve received the HAND-OFF, you can either pull-up shoot or drive to the basket to create for yourself or others.

Last but not least, the PICK & ROLL is always an option.  Off of the initial read of the screen, where you set up the screen and come off the actual fade screen because the defender went low, the passer can give you the ball directly.  Even if you don’t have a shot, the pass should still come.  Then the post that set the initial fade screen, can sprint into a ball screen and you both play two-man game (i.e. PICK & ROLL).

Applicable drills are simple.  All you need are two screeners on each wing, on both sides of the top of the key.  Or you can alternate each side with a single screener.  Then, have a line of perimeter players lined up on the side of the top of the key in which you want to work.  Place a coach, or line of other perimeter players on the opposite side of the top of the key.  These players or coaches will receive a pass from the opposite line, as they set up and use the screen.  Lastly, choose and relay which option you want to use during that particular repetition drill and alternate them accordingly.