Best examples of basketball pick and roll play examples

Why start with real examples of basketball pick and roll play examples

Most players think they know the pick and roll: “Guard uses the screen, big rolls to the rim.” That’s the basic idea, but in real games the difference between a bad screen and a beautiful two-man action comes down to details:

Where the screen is set on the floor
Which defender you’re trying to put in conflict
How the other three players space or cut

So instead of theory, we’re going to start with real, on-court examples of basketball pick and roll play examples that mirror what you see from NBA and NCAA teams. I’ll describe them in plain language so you can draw them on a whiteboard or walk them through in practice without needing fancy software.

High pick and roll at the top: the classic example of a simple, deadly action

When people talk about the best examples of modern offense, they almost always mention high pick and roll. Think about how Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, or Sabrina Ionescu operate: they live at the top of the floor using ball screens.

Here’s a clean, teachable example of a high pick and roll play:

Start in a 4-out, 1-in alignment. Your point guard (1) has the ball at the top, just above the three-point line.
Your center (5) starts near the free-throw line, then steps up to set a screen on the ball defender’s hip.
Your wings (2 and 3) are in the corners, and your stretch forward (4) is lifted on a wing.

The reads:

If the defense goes under the screen, 1 stops behind the pick and shoots.
If the defense fights over and the big drops back, 1 snakes into the lane for a pull-up or a lob to 5.
If the weakside defender tags the roll, 1 kicks to the opposite corner for a catch-and-shoot three.

This is one of the simplest examples of basketball pick and roll play examples, but it mirrors what you see from elite offenses every night.

Side pick and roll: using the sideline as a second defender

Side pick and roll has exploded in popularity in the 2020s because it simplifies reads for the ball handler. The sideline acts like an extra defender, forcing help to come from predictable spots.

Picture this example of a side pick and roll that you might see from teams like the Denver Nuggets or many top women’s college programs:

1 brings the ball down the right side of the floor, outside the three-point line.
5 jogs up from the block to set a screen on 1’s defender, with 1’s dribble hand toward the baseline.
2 is in the strong-side corner, 3 and 4 are spaced on the weak side.

Reads for the ball handler:

If the defense “ices” (forces 1 away from the screen toward the baseline), 5 flips the angle and short-rolls to the elbow for a catch and a quick pass to a cutter.
If they chase over the top, 1 turns the corner hard, looking to finish or hit 5 rolling.
If the low man helps off the weakside corner, 1 skips to 3 for a three.

Many coaches in 2024–2025 use this as a late-clock go-to because it isolates a two-man game while keeping spacing clean.

Spain pick and roll: a modern twist that shows up in the best examples

If you watch current FIBA play, the Olympics, or NBA playoff series, you’ve seen Spain pick and roll (also called stack pick and roll). It’s one of the best examples of how layering actions on top of a basic pick and roll confuses defenses.

Here’s a Spain pick and roll example broken down:

Start with a normal high pick and roll: 1 with the ball at the top, 5 stepping up to set the screen.
As 5 sets the ball screen, your shooting guard (2) sprints in from the wing and sets a back screen on 5’s defender.
5 rolls hard to the rim, while 2 pops out behind the three-point line after screening.

Why it works:

The big defender has to choose: stay with 5 on the roll or switch onto 2 popping out for a three.
If the defense switches everything, you usually create a mismatch: a small on your rolling big, or a slow big trying to chase your shooter.

This is one of the best examples of basketball pick and roll play examples when you have a strong shooting guard and a mobile big. It’s all over modern scouting reports because it forces two defenders into three decisions in about half a second.

Empty-corner pick and roll: clearing out space for your stars

Another trend in 2024–2025 offenses is the empty-corner pick and roll, where you completely clear one side of the floor to give your ball handler and screener a two-man game with no extra help.

Imagine this example of an empty-corner pick and roll:

1 has the ball at the top.
2 and 3 are on the left side: 2 in the corner, 3 on the wing. 4 is at the left slot.
On the call, 2 cuts through the lane to the right corner, 3 lifts to the left slot, and 4 slides over to the left wing. Now the right side of the floor is empty.
5 comes up to set a ball screen for 1 on the right side, driving toward the empty corner.

Now the only help defenders are coming from the far side of the floor. That makes the reads simple:

If the on-ball defender gets hit, 1 attacks the rim.
If the big steps up, 1 throws the pocket pass to 5 on the roll.
If the weakside tags hard, kick to the left wing for a three.

Coaches love this because it’s one of the cleanest examples of basketball pick and roll play examples for youth and high school teams: fewer bodies in the way, easier reads.

Short-roll playmaking: turning your big into a passer

In the last few seasons, more teams have copied the Nikola Jokić and Draymond Green blueprint: use the big as a decision-maker on the short roll.

Here’s a short-roll example of a basketball pick and roll play you can teach even at the varsity level:

Run a high pick and roll with 1 and 5.
The defense traps or aggressively hedges the ball handler.
1 hits 5 with a quick pass at the free-throw line (the short roll).

From there, 5 has three simple reads:

If the low man slides over, hit the dunker spot (4) for a layup.
If the corner defender tags, kick to the corner for a three.
If nobody helps, take one dribble and finish.

This is one of the best examples of basketball pick and roll play examples for teams that have a big who can catch, pivot, and pass under pressure. It’s also a good teaching tool for decision-making and court vision.

For coaches who want to understand how movement and decision-making impact performance and fatigue, organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) share research on exercise and motor learning that can indirectly support better practice planning: https://www.nih.gov

Horns pick and roll: using two bigs to create options

If you coach a team with two solid screeners or posts, Horns is a great framework. It’s a set where both bigs start at the elbows, and you can create multiple examples of basketball pick and roll play examples from the same look.

Here’s a simple Horns pick and roll action:

1 brings the ball up the middle.
4 and 5 are at the left and right elbows.
2 and 3 are in the corners.

On the call:

1 uses 4’s ball screen going to the left.
5 dives to the dunker spot on the right side.
4 either rolls to the rim or pops to the top of the key, depending on their skill set.

Variations:

Next time down, 1 rejects the screen and goes right, using 5 instead.
You can flow into a Spain pick and roll by having 2 sprint up from the corner to back-screen 4 or 5’s defender.

Because everything starts from the same Horns alignment, it’s harder to scout, and you can build multiple examples of basketball pick and roll play examples from one simple starting shape.

Double drag and ghost screens: modern perimeter examples

Watch any 2024–2025 NBA game and you’ll see double drag screens and ghost screens sprinkled all over the first 10 seconds of the shot clock.

A double drag example:

1 pushes the ball up the middle in transition.
4 and 5 trail the play and set consecutive ball screens at the top, with 4 as the first screener and 5 as the second.
4 pops to the three-point line, 5 rolls hard to the rim.

Now the defense has to choose how to guard two screens in a row, with a pop and a roll happening at the same time.

A ghost screen example:

3 comes up from the corner as if to set a ball screen for 1.
At the last second, 3 “ghosts” the screen — faking the contact and slipping out to the three-point line.
The defense often miscommunicates, leaving 3 open or giving 1 a driving lane.

These are great real examples to show players how even a fake pick and roll can create confusion.

For coaches thinking about player workload, recovery, and injury risk while running lots of pick and roll in practice, resources like Mayo Clinic and CDC offer guidance on training load, conditioning, and youth sports participation:

Mayo Clinic sports performance and injury topics: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle
CDC youth sports safety: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports

Teaching tips: how to turn these examples into habits

Seeing examples of basketball pick and roll play examples is one thing; getting your players to actually execute them is another. A few practical coaching ideas:

Start with spacing, not the screen. Before you even set a pick, make sure players know where the corners, wings, and slots should be. Poor spacing kills even the best examples.

Limit the reads. Especially for youth or high school players, give the ball handler two clear reads and the screener two clear reads. For example: “If they go under, shoot. If they chase over, attack the rim.”

Rehearse 2-on-2 and 3-on-3. Strip away the clutter. Run just the ball handler, screener, and one helper defender. Then add a corner shooter as a fourth player to teach kick-out reads.

Emphasize communication and safety. Screeners should call out their picks and set them with a wide base and stationary position to avoid illegal screens. For general injury-prevention and conditioning advice, Harvard Health and WebMD have accessible overviews of exercise safety:

Harvard Health exercise and sports articles: https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/exercise-and-fitness
WebMD fitness and exercise section: https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/default.htm

When you combine clear teaching with the real examples in this article, your players stop “running a play” and start reading the game.

FAQ: examples of basketball pick and roll play examples

Q: What are some basic examples of pick and roll plays for beginners?
For beginners, start with a simple high pick and roll at the top and a side pick and roll on the wing. Keep spacing 4-out, 1-in, and give the ball handler two reads: shoot if the defender goes under, attack if they go over. Add a roll to the rim for the screener and a corner three as the safety valve.

Q: Can you give an example of a pick and roll used in the NBA or WNBA?
A classic example is the high pick and roll run by guards like Luka Dončić or A’ja Wilson’s teams, where the big sets a screen above the three-point line, then either rolls to the rim or pops for a jumper. Modern teams also run Spain pick and roll, where a guard back-screens the rolling big’s defender, creating confusion and open shots.

Q: What are the best examples of advanced pick and roll actions for older players?
For advanced high school, college, or pro players, Spain pick and roll, double drag screens, ghost screens, and Horns sets are some of the best examples. These actions create multiple decisions for the defense in a short time and work well if your players can shoot, pass, and read switches.

Q: How do I choose which example of pick and roll play to use with my team?
Build around your personnel. If you have a strong ball handler and a rim-running big, emphasize high and side pick and roll. If your big can pass, add short-roll playmaking. If you have multiple shooters, use Spain and empty-corner actions to stretch the floor.

Q: Are pick and roll plays safe for youth players?
Yes, as long as you teach proper screening technique and avoid overloading kids with too many reads. Focus on safe, stationary screens, clear communication, and controlled contact. Combine that with age-appropriate conditioning and rest, following general youth sports safety guidance from sources like the CDC.

If you treat these sets as living examples rather than rigid scripts, you’ll start to see the same patterns repeating across levels and leagues. That’s the real power of studying examples of basketball pick and roll play examples: once you understand the patterns, you can adapt them to any roster, any opponent, and any level of the game.

The best examples of basketball pick and roll play examples (with diagrams in words)