The first screen we will discuss is the Down Screen. Some more terminology that we will use with our team is to “look below you to screen.” This translates into if you are up top on the perimeter and there is another player on the perimeter on your side, you are in an ideal situation to screen. We especially like for our high post players to “look below” to screen.
To set a down screen, we want to again use a v-cut movement. As a screener, we want the first part of the v-cut to be aggressive. We tell our players to make the defense take away the first cut before changing directions to set the screen. The major reason for the v-cut movement is to put us in line for the proper screening angle. On the down screen, we want our back to be towards the ball. We believe this is the screening angle that gives the defender on the cutter the most difficult in maneuvering around. Diagram #1 shows the screener using the v-cut to set up the down screen so that she has her back to the ball. Diagram #2 shows the defender anticipating the down screen so the screen continues to the basket for a return pass and lay-up.
While it may be repetitive, we want to again talk of the importance of the screener sprinting to the screen. It makes the screen more aggressive and gives the defense less chance to react. Another phrase that our team hears on a daily basis is that we should sprint to screen, setting the proper angle, and allowing the cutter to come off the screen so cleanly, that another defender has to leave her assignment to help on the open cutter. A final phrase that is often heard at practice in regard to screening is to “headhunt.” This simply is an aggressive term for seeking out the defender she needs to screen.
"I didn't realize that Coach (Knight) would keep teaching us those three basic screens nearly every practice day for the rest of my time at Indiana."
-Steve Alford-
taken from Playing For Knight
