COURT 204

LESSON 5 OF 7

LEVEL 2Small Sided4v4

The Screen That Never Comes

123X1X2GHOST POP
FIG. 26GHOST SCREEN4V4
A ghost screen is a trick: you run at your teammate's defender like you're going to set a screen, then slip away to open space without ever making contact. The defense reacts to the screen that never comes — the two defenders start their switch or their hedge, hesitate, and for one second nobody is guarding you. It works because defenders are trained to react early to screens. Sprint into the action like you mean it, then be gone. The more real screens you've set, the better the ghost works.

READ THIS

Watch the two defenders as you sprint toward the screen — the early switch lean or hedge lift, before you've made any contact.

DO THIS

Sell the screen with your sprint and posture, then slip out to open space just before contact, hands ready for the pass behind the switch.

COACHING LINEAGE

Steve Kerr

Off-ball movement wins: cut, relocate, space. The defense can only watch one thing.

Brad Stevens

Analytical precision: the right shot in the right spot beats a contested hero shot every time.

IN THE SITUATION ROTATION

In 4v4, the defense has switched every screen all game. You sprint up to set another ball screen on the right side and see both defenders already leaning into the switch before you even arrive.

Appears as a Situation of the Day · 4v4

The Screen That Never Comes