Panathinaikos Ball Screen

What is Panathinaikos Ball Screen?

The set starts with 1 at the left slot, 5 just above the free-throw circle, 4 above the left elbow, 2 on the left block and 3 in the right corner. 4 is the screener in every step, and the ball ends up on the right side with 5 on the right block.

When to use it

Call it when your 4 is your best screener and your 5 can score on the block. Because 4 screens for both bigs and the guard, X4 is involved in every action and never gets to rest.

How to run it

Step 1. 4 screens for 5, who runs over 4 and out to the left side, between the left wing and the left corner.

Step 2. 4 turns and sets a ball screen for 1 at the left slot, and 1 dribbles off it toward the right side, to a spot above the right elbow. At the same time 2 screens for 5, who cuts along the baseline under the basket to the right block.

Step 3. 4 screens down for 2 at the left mid-post, and 2 comes up off it to a spot above the left elbow. 1 now has the ball on the right side with 5 on the right block and 3 in the right corner.

Counters

• 5 stops on the left side after Step 1 and the baseline cut never happens. He goes as soon as 2's screen is set.
• 1 dribbles toward the right side before 4 has turned to screen him. He waits for 4's feet to set.

What it attacks

The set keeps X4 busy from start to finish. He has to help on 5's cut, then guard a ball screen, then deal with a down screen for 2. While the defense watches 1 come off the ball screen, 5 runs the baseline behind it to the right block, the side 1 is dribbling toward. The ball screen guide covers the screen in Step 2.

Teaching points

• 4 sets each screen and turns straight into the next one, so his defender never settles.
• 1 waits at the left slot through Step 1 and uses the ball screen only once 5 has cleared.
• 5 times his baseline cut with 1's dribble, so he arrives on the right block as 1 reaches the right side.

Build it in practice

Walk 4's three screens first, so he knows the order without thinking. Then add 1's dribble and 5's baseline cut together, then 2's screen and cut, and go 5 on 5. The screen types guide covers the down screen and the screen for a big used here.