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← Library of Schemes

offense

Veer: screen for a teammate after a ball screen

Instead of rolling to the basket, the ball screener moves into a screen for a teammate away from the ball. Bonn's 2022–23 playoff example connects this with a ghost action.

How it runs

Screen on the ball, then screen for 2

Veer links a ball screen to a screen away instead of rolling straight inside. This teaching example holds the first screen; the linked Bonn possession fakes it. Defenders are not shown.

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.

1. Use the first screenHalf court diagram, frame 1 of 4: 1. Use the first screen. 5 players, showing dribble.12345

Diagram 1 of 4

1. Use the first screen

5 is set to screen for 1. 1 dribbles around 5 while 2 waits low on the right. 3 and 4 stay on the other side.

Diagram key

  • Offense
  • Defense
  • Coach
  • Neutral
  • Ball
  • Cone
  • Cut
  • Dribble
  • Pass
  • Screen
  • Hand-off
  • Shot
  • Def. slide

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.

Veer connects a ball-screen action to a screen away by the same player. Our default holds the first screen; our other example fakes it. Those starts are different, even though both lead to an off-ball screen.

In this guide · jump to a topic

Starting jobs and useful space

Keep the second receiver ready without moving too soon

Our 1 handles, 5 screens and 2 waits low on the receiving side. Players 3 and 4 stay opposite. First show where 1 will take the ball; then show how 5 reaches 2’s screen. If 2 leaves before 5 arrives, the second action becomes a chase rather than a set screen.

The handler must stay where the second receiver and screener remain visible. Avoid driving so deep that the ball is trapped behind the off-ball action. The two opposite players preserve returns rather than joining the same side to watch the screen.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Keep the possession going

Finish the first interaction before setting the second

Walk the handler’s turn, then 5’s movement away from the ball. Establish the second screen and let 2 use it. The screen-to-screen connection should create a receiving choice without requiring a particular shot. If the first drive already produces an appropriate finish, the offense need not complete the second action.

After 2 clears, 5 can become a different target. The linked example explores that inside window. Keep the cutter and screener apart so the handler can choose between them. If neither receives, preserve an outside connection and organize rather than restarting the same off-ball screen in a crowd.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Decisions against the defense

Two defenders follow the outside receiver

When: The screener’s space may open after the cutter clears.

Do this: Look toward the screener without throwing through the departing cutter.

Then: An inside receiver still reads the next helper and can return the ball outside.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

The second receiving route is blocked

When: The cutter cannot reach the planned outside catch.

Do this: Keep the ball and allow a separately taught cut or return rather than force the diagrammed pass.

Then: The screener must remain passable instead of standing between handler and receiver.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Basketball glossary

Open full glossary page

What to emphasize

  • Original teaching suggestion: keep the roll and screen-away choices separate before choosing live.

Problems, fixes and checks

5 rolls automatically after the first screen

Problem: The second receiver waits for a screen that never arrives.

Try this correction: Name the next job before each introductory repetition.

Check: The screener explains why this release differs from the roll example.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

The handler loses sight of the second action

Problem: The drive reaches traffic before the off-ball screen is ready.

Try this correction: Shorten the teaching drive and establish an outside return.

Check: The handler can see both second-screen receivers without turning away from pressure.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Versions and diagram coverage

Ghost first, then find the screener

Changes: entry, read.

  • The linked example changes the first screen and the eventual receiver. Those are two distinctions, not a single new definition of Veer.

When to use it: Teach the fake and the inside receiving read separately.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

Do not infer an entire package

Changes: names only, continuation.

  • No additional fixed Veer formations are claimed. Different cutter reactions would need their own readable routes before becoming diagrams.

When to use it: Use the two shown starts as examples, not an exhaustive action dictionary.

Written variant · this option does not have its own walkthrough here.

CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.

How to teach it

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.

Practice it step by step

Separate the two screening jobs

Set it up: Three attackers without defenders.

  1. Walk the first handler turn.
  2. Stop, move to the second screen and let the receiver come outside.

Add more when: The screener remembers the away action instead of rolling.

Check it in play
  • Both screens have a clear set position.

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.

What can go wrong and how to adjust
  • Veer is a continuation, not another name for every pick-and-roll.
Coaches and teams that use it
Drills for this scheme · steps and diagrams

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.

Down Screen Curl Drill
Court diagram · view the drill first

Basketball glossary

Open full glossary page

Builds a skill used in this scheme: Practices a low cutter reading a following defender and using a screen. It supports the second part of this veer example, but omits the ball screen and the screener’s move away from the ball.

A screen for a low cutter creates a curved route around the screen when the defender follows behind.

4–12 players · 6–10 minutes · basketballs

Purpose

A screen for a low cutter creates a curved route around the screen when the defender follows behind.

Set it up

Four players: passer at the top, wing screener, cutter near the basket and a guided cutter defender. No additional help defender; one ball and a clear landing area. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.

Run the drill

  1. Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
  2. The screener moves into a legal, stationary downscreen position before the cutter leaves.
  3. The cutter sets up the defender, then curves around the screen toward the elbow—the end of the free-throw line—when the defender follows behind.
  4. The passer leads an available catch for a balanced shot or controlled finish; decline a covered pass.
  5. After the cutter clears, the screener opens as a second option. Rotate all four roles.
  6. End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.

Scoring

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.

Coach the details

  • A curl is one response, not a mandatory cut against every coverage.
  • Timing and clear routes matter more than contact or speed.
  • Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.
  • Screens begin without contact. Establish a balanced, stationary position with the time and space required by the competition rules; keep arms in and do not lean, hold, shove or step into an approaching defender. Decline the action when legal clearance is unavailable.

Ways to adapt the drill

  • Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
  • The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.
2-on-2 Ball Screen Live
Court diagram · view the drill first

Basketball glossary

Open full glossary page

Builds a skill used in this scheme: Practices reading the two defenders at the first ball screen. Its screener’s next move is not a veer screen; teach the screen-away continuation with the extra players it needs.

A ball-screen pair reads two defenders through a controlled live possession.

4–12 players · 8–15 minutes · basketballs

Purpose

A ball-screen pair reads two defenders through a controlled live possession.

Set it up

Four players and one ball: handler, screener and their defenders. Waiting players and spare balls stay outside the playing/landing area. Walk one coverage before allowing a choice. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.

Run the drill

  1. Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
  2. The screener establishes legal position; the handler waits for the screen and reads the defenders.
  3. The defense uses an agreed coverage. Offense can drive, pass to the screener moving toward the basket or outward, or retreat and reset when the passing route is closed.
  4. Use a re-screen only after everyone has room to reset legally; do not force a dribble through two defenders.
  5. End on a controlled finish, secured rebound, turnover or coach stop; exchange offense and defense regardless of outcome.
  6. End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.

Scoring

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.

Coach the details

  • A screener can cut to the basket after screening (roll), leave before setting the screen (slip), or move outward (pop). Choose from the defense and available space, not from a single label.
  • A screen is not a collision target. Maintain control through changes of direction.
  • Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.
  • Screens begin without contact. Establish a balanced, stationary position with the time and space required by the competition rules; keep arms in and do not lean, hold, shove or step into an approaching defender. Decline the action when legal clearance is unavailable.

Ways to adapt the drill

  • Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
  • The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.
Sources and what we could confirm

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.

Coaches run this in different ways. The sources below describe the versions covered here. These sources do not cover every possible version.

  • Tactics Board: chess openings

    Diccon Lloyd-Smeath · FIBA Basketball Champions League · publication date not listed

    Public 2022–23 quarterfinal examples reviewed; later parent fetch timed out. Observed variations, not universal club systems.

Veer: screen for a teammate after a ball screen · Library of Schemes · CoachAssist