Screen

The screen (or "pick") is one of basketball's fundamental tactical building blocks. A player stands still in the path of an opposing defender, forcing them to navigate around or get hung up, thereby freeing the teammate they were guarding.

To be legal, the screen must be stationary at the moment of contact. If the screener moves at the last instant to catch their opponent, it's an offensive foul (moving screen). Feet should be shoulder-width apart and arms tucked in.

Multiple screen types exist: the on-ball screen (set on the handler's defender, the basis of pick-and-roll), the off-ball screen (set away from the ball to free a shooter), the back screen (set behind the defender), the flare screen, the pin-down, etc.

Screen quality is a real craft. Players like Draymond Green or Kevon Looney are known for setting exceptionally solid screens that genuinely free their teammate.