defense
A hard hedge sends the screener's defender into the ball handler's route to give the original ball defender time to get around the screen and return. Ford's version connects an early screen call, the guard moving close around the screen, and a recovery call from the post defender on the opposite side.
Ford’s public teaching uses a wing screen with three attackers opposite and a teammate calling the coverage. Here we choose to return to the original players; his full system has other calls.
1–5 are players on offense. X1–X5 are defenders. Each number stays with the same player in every step; it does not lock that player into a position.
Diagram 1 of 6
Call the wing screen
5 is set. 1 starts around the screen. X5 steps out before the turn; X1 takes the route below 5’s hip.
Diagram key
Use Previous and Next beside the court, or choose a numbered step. Arrows on the court show where players or the ball move. CoachAssist drew this example; it does not show every way to run the scheme.
The base diagram uses Ford’s public wing-screen example. The short-roll example uses Sturtz’s public explanation. Their guard routes and help choices are not one interchangeable universal hedge.
X5 calls the screen early and steps out to turn 1 away from the basket; X1 works over the screener and beneath the showing teammate before recovering. A weak-side helper checks the roll while other defenders account for shooters. X5 then returns; holding both defenders on the ball would become a different coverage.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Ford’s public example uses a wing screen with three attackers opposite. The guard takes the route below the screener’s hip while the screener’s defender shows. It is not the same drawing or guard route as the second example.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Have the offense pause just before the screen. Ask the defenders to identify who will be temporarily responsible for each attacker. Run through the first pass rather than stopping when the handler retreats. Then start again with that pass arriving earlier. If the roller can catch before the planned helper gets there, the coverage needs an adjustment; the offense should not be told to wait so the planned recovery looks successful.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
When: The early pass reaches 5 in the middle.
Do this: The selected helper stops the immediate drive while teammates cover exposed receivers.
Then: X5 recovers before the helper leaves.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
When: A pop changes the recovery distance.
Do this: Agree whether the original defender returns or the pair exchanges.
Then: Do not treat an improvised switch as the same hedge rule.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Problem: The show opens a split or causes a collision instead of delaying the ball.
Try this correction: Walk the action from an earlier starting moment and use an observer to mark when the screen becomes visible. Add speed only after X5 can arrive under control.
Check: No recovery plan depends on reaching through a moving attacker.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Problem: The roller is covered by two defenders and an outside receiver remains free.
Try this correction: Replay the return pass and have the helper call the moment their temporary job ends.
Check: The defense completes the outside closeout and rebound, not just the first interruption.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Changes: coverage.
When to use it: The higher-help alternative is written-only; do not move that helper into the displayed low-help sequence.
Written variant · this option does not have its own walkthrough here.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Choose the level that matches what your players can do now. These steps work for boys and girls. Start simpler if players need more practice.
Set it up: Use two guided defenders and one stationary attacker with no screen contact.
Add more when: Players can announce and end temporary help.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
CoachAssist wrote these teaching steps. They are not an exact copy of any coach’s practice plan.
We have not confirmed a specific coach or team using this version. Teams may use the same name for different plays.
The level selector changes the teaching steps above. It does not change these drills. Check the number of players, equipment and difficulty before using a drill.
Practices this scheme: The reviewed five-on-five wing screen includes the guard, the screener’s defender stepping out toward the ball, and opposite-side teammates calling how to recover; it is not a sustained trap.
Rehearse a screener’s defender stepping into the wing ballhandler’s route, followed by all five defenders recovering to assignments.
10–30 players · 5–12 minutes · basketballs
Rehearse a screener’s defender stepping into the wing ballhandler’s route, followed by all five defenders recovering to assignments.
A wing ballhandler, screener and three attackers on the opposite side face five defenders. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.
Practices this scheme: Isolates the screener’s defender briefly stepping into the dribbler’s route on a side ball screen, then returning to the screener cutting toward the basket. The full five-player jobs belong in the companion team drill.
On a side ball screen, the screener’s defender briefly steps out to contain the handler, then returns to the screener cutting toward the basket.
4–12 players · 8–14 minutes · basketballs
On a side ball screen, the screener’s defender briefly steps out to contain the handler, then returns to the screener cutting toward the basket.
Four players in a two-on-two side screen, one ball. Agree on the angle for stepping out toward the handler and the cue to return to the screener; start without contact. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.
The sources support the system guide. CoachAssist created the practice steps and checks; they are suggestions, not tested programs or a coach’s full playbook. The linked drills practice parts of the system.
The main ideas are supported by the sources below. These sources do not cover every possible version.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, featuring Travis Ford · Championship Productions · 2015-01-21
Public written teaching description only.
FIBA/Basketball Champions League · FIBA · 2021–22 competition
Official game-analysis text inspected in research lane; subsequent coordinator fetch failed. Evidence describes possessions, not a universal installation.
Chandler Sturtz · Hooper University · 2022-04-29
Public written hedge, early-pass and recovery explanation reviewed; publication date confirmed in the publisher’s index. Original weak-side help example, not a guaranteed recovery.
Gabriele Pardini · BasketballMinds · 2022-09-26
Public Italian author text reporting the September 11, 2022 CNA/CONI meeting. Selected coverage mechanics reviewed; English captions, exact assignments and geometry are original.
