Video Playbook: Staggered Screens – A look across the basketball landscape at options and actions stemming from the staggered down screen.
The staggered down screen is a staple in many motion offenses across the basketball landscape. In this video playbook we will look at college, NBA and International teams using the staggered down screen.
Staggered Screens: Coaching Points
Before we dive into video here are a few pointers for teaching staggered screens:
- The screening angle on a staggered down screen is the same as a single down screen – butt to the top of the circle
- The cutter must attack the space between themselves and their defender to setup the cut
- Screeners should jumpstop into the screen with a “double wide” base
- The second screen should be “unlike” the cutter; this reduces the likelihood of the defense switching onto the cutter
- The two screeners should not be in line. If the cutter’s defender goes under the screens, the second screener should be lower than the first. If the cutter’s defender goes over the screens, the second screener should be outside the first (see diagrams below).
There are two ways to initiate the staggered screen – pass reversal and dribble entry. In pass reversal, players make two passes to the second side then get into the stagger (diagram below).
In lieu of pass reversal, trailing players can simply stagger away without the passes to the second side. This is the dribble entry (diagram below).
The cutter has four options when using the staggered screen. These can be taught as reads or “forced” cuts. See the diagrams below.
In Frame 1 above, the cutter makes a straight cut using both screens for a catch-and-shoot, catch-and-go or getting to the next phase of the offense. Below is a video of the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets using the staggered screens and straight cuts in Motion Strong.
In Frame 2 above, the cutter long curls – curls around the second screen. As a read, the cutter would long curl when the defender trails. Below are some video examples of the Bucks using the long curl off the stagger in Motion Strong.
In Frame 3 above, the cutter short curls the stagger. A short curl is when the cutter curls the first screen and curls into the paint. As a read the cutter could “take the first curl” when trailed or it could be a forced curl that leads to another action.
The reject (Frame 4 above) is a back cut the cutter would make when overplayed or “top-locked.” The cutter sets up the screen, sticks his/her foot in the ground and rejects both screens by cutting backdoor. The reject could be a forced cut as well.
NCAA Staggers: Davidson and Tennessee
Staggered screens are a big part the Davidson Wildcats’ offense. Coach Bob McKillop’s teams are know for having one of the more aesthetically pleasing (and hard to defend) offenses in college basketball.
The Wildcats use staggered screens upon ball reversal as part of their secondary break. Often the cutter takes the short curl and the second screener “screens the screener” with a down screen for the first screener.
In the video below, check out Davidson using staggered screens and scoring on short curls and by screening the screener.
Imitation is the highest form of flattery. The Tennessee Volunteers use staggered screens, short curls and screen-the-screener in their near-perfect facsimile of Davidson’s offense. Check it out in the video below.
NBA: Motion Strong
The San Antonio Spurs offense in their peak years was a thing of beauty. One component of their attack was Motion Strong. As we have seen above, the influence of the Spurs pervades the league and teams such as the Bucks and Nets use Motion Strong with five-out spacing.
The signature feature of Motion Strong is the stagger. Below, the Nets use pass reversal to enter Motion Strong and get into the staggers.
And here the Nets use the dribble entry to get into Motion Strong.
Dribble ISO
With two screeners and a cutter in the staggered screen, three would-be help defenders are occupied. This presents an excellent time to attack the rim.
Two examples of Motion Strong “Dribble ISO” where the staggered screen occupies weakside helpers presenting an opportunity to drive. 💪#MotionOffenseTips pic.twitter.com/iadW20Imbt
— Radius Athletics (@RadiusAthletics) May 7, 2019
In the short video above, you see Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe attack the defense while potential helpers are involved in the screening action.
Bonus Content
- International Staggers: MoraBanc Andorra: Early Offense and Half Court Series – This piece by Sergey Tkachenko details some staggered screens in Early Offense by MoraBanc Andorra of the Spanish ACB League. Diagrams and video included!
- Drill: Stagger Shooting
Continue the conversation:
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