Basketball is full of different types of screens that all seem to accomplish different things.
Cross screens try to unlock the player in the block…
The back screens free the cutters from the basket…
And ball screens give the ball handler an advantage over their defender to attack the rim.
But if you want the screen to release the shooter for shot outside?
Then i elevator screen that’s what you want.
Below, we’ll explain how this action works, how to run and defend it, and go through a few play examples you can use with your team.
What is an Elevator Screen?
A lift screen is when an offensive player (usually a shooter) cuts between two players before they meet and closes the gap before the defender can pass.
This should allow the attacking player to get past the open outside shot, as their defender is stuck on the other side of the lift screen.
To make it even more effective, the shooter will set a screen himself before breaking through the gap, making it difficult for his defender to recover in time.
Why Is It Called an Elevator Screen?
This action is called an elevator screen because, as the two screens come together to close the gap, it looks like the elevator doors closing.
What Makes an Effective Elevator Screen?
While its elevator screen is difficult to protect, there are some action features that make it more effective in a case:
1. Time
This is one very important aspect.
The two screens and the cutter must match perfectly to create an open image.
The screens should be time locked together on the screen properly. Otherwise, the defender will pass through the space to contest the shot or draw the wrong screen against the offensive player.
2. Player placement
The ideal setup is two post players setting up a screen for a perimeter-cutting shooter.
Opening up a non-shooter at the 3-point line doesn’t really pressure the defense, and having a guard set another guard’s screen simply invites a defensive switch.
Placing your players in the right positions increases the chances of the lift screen working and leads to a higher percentage of shots for your team.
3. Start with an Indirect Screen or Location
What makes this action almost unstoppable is pairing with a start screen or a change of direction.
Ask a shooter to set a cross screen or back screen before running into space, and his defender will likely be caught on the wrong side.
If the goal of your lift screen is to open up a shooter on the wing, you can start by moving the ball to the other side to trap the shooter’s defender in the paint, which will make the screen more effective.
How Can Defense Overcome the Elevator Screen?
It is a dangerous act, but it is not preventable…
Here are a few ways the defense can try to slow it down:
1. Football pressure
The action of checking the elevator screen may be a solid cover, but a pass is still required before the action becomes an open shot.
So if you can scout your opponent to know when the lift screen might come into his offense, you can get the ball defender to put more pressure on the ball and shade the passer to one side so he can’t throw the ball to the shooter.
A lot of times, pick screen plays tend to focus on one option, so if your defense can take away that primary look, the offense can have a hard time flowing to the other.
2. Sell by Following the Shooter
This requires testing, but it is one of the best calculators available.
If the linebacker stays right on the shooter’s waist, there is almost no way screeners can close the gap and set a legitimate screen.
Yes, your defender has to be fast. But the dedicated lane on the screen is more distracting than trying to fight it late.
This may open up something else if there is a cross screen or back screen in front of the elevator, but if you want to focus on removing the appearance of the elevator screen, then a sports defender chasing a shooter is a solid way to do it.
3. Change
Switching isn’t the first option here because it usually creates a mismatch… a post player stuck guarding a shooter on the perimeter.
However, if you have an athletic post and know that the elevator screen game is coming, you may have to make a quick switch to prevent an easy appearance.
The easiest way to do this is for the screen protector closest to the ball to shift up and pick up the shooter, and for the shooter’s protector to slide up and make contact with the screen.
If the change happens fast enough, it can lead to theft and a quick break-up.
Examples of Elevator Screen Games
1. Box Cross Elevator
A screen-screen sequence (a cross screen followed by a lift screen) that sets the defense up for failure.
The game starts in a box with wings on the blocks and pillars on the elbows.
1 starts the game by jumping on the wing.
This shows 2 to the help line to set up the cross screen 3.
Depending on the 3 skill set, the 3 can cut to the corner or send up the block.
As 2 sets up a cross screen, that signals 4 and 5 to open up and move closer to set up the elevator screen.
If 3 clears 2’s shoulder, 2 runs to the top of the key for a pass and a 3-point shot.
If there is a switch on the screen, 5 can dive to the block and send it up since he will have a guard protecting him.
2. Chin Elevator
A Princeton case base that turns a standard Chin cut into an elevator screen with minimal adjustment.
The offense swings the ball around the perimeter from 1 to 4 to 3 on the wing.
After making the first pass, 1 cuts the back screen from 5 above the elbow to cut to the side block of the ball.
Once the ball reaches the 3 on the wing, the 4 and 5 come down to set up an elevator screen near the elbow of the ball.
1 quickly changes direction after touching the block and comes into space to return the ball to 3 for a potential shot outside.
3. Horns Diagonal Elevator
This play uses the wrong approach so that the shooter is open on one side… the defense is facing one direction while the action is on the other.
The game starts with a set of horns with poles above the elbows and wings in the corners.
1 starts the play by throwing to 4 on the elbow and cutting to the hard side corner as 2 moves into the block.
As the first pass occurs, the 5 sets a screen down for the 3 to work just above the free throw line to receive a dribble handoff from the 4.
After receiving the handoff, the 3 takes a few more dribbles as the 4 and 5 combine to set up an elevator screen on the 2.
2 runs an elevator screen to the other wing to catch a throwback pass from 3 for a three-pointer.
The conclusion
Of all the screens in basketball, the lift screen is one of the most difficult to guard.
If the timing, placement, and setup are all there, it’s almost guaranteed to produce an open look.
Catch one play above, repeat it at your next practice, and watch your shooters start catching the ball with no one within six feet of them.
