Understanding Screening Action

Due to the vast number of different types of screens utilized by offensive teams today, deciphering between illegal versus incidental contact can be a tough assignment for game officials, especially in a two-person crew. From the perspective of fans and some coaches, if the offensive team was able to get an open shot, surely it must have been illegal. As Lee Corso would say “Not so fast my friend!” There are several elements in play when it comes to understanding screening action. Let’s now dive into the NFHS Rule Book, so next time you can scream intelligently (Rule 4-40;1-8).

Definition: A screen is legal action by a player who, while touching the court, without causing contact, delays or prevents an opponent from reaching a desired position.
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In order to establish legal screening position:

• The screener may face any direction.
• Time and distance are relevant.
• The screener must be stationary, except when both the screener and opponent are moving in the same path and the same direction.
• The screener must stay within his / her vertical plane with a stance approximately shoulder width apart.

Screening a Stationary Opponent:
When screening a stationary opponent from the front or side (within the visual field), the screener may be anywhere short of contact. When screening a stationary opponent from behind (outside the visual field), the screener must allow the opponent one normal step backward without contact.

Screening a Moving Opponent:
When screening a moving opponent, the screener must allow the opponent time and distance to avoid contact by stopping or changing direction. The speed of the player being screened will determine where the screener may take his / her stationary position. It is important to note that this position will vary and may be one to two normal steps or strides from the opponent.

When screening an opponent who is moving in the same path and direction as the screener, the player behind or trailing is responsible if contact is made due to the player in front slowing down or stopping. It is really no different than you rear-ending someone in your car, you will be found at fault.

Guidelines for Player Being Screened:
A player who is screened within his / her visual field is expected to avoid contact by going around the screener. In cases of screens set outside the visual field, the opponent may make inadvertent contact with the screener and based on the speed of the opponent, the contact may be severe. In this situation, we have incidental contact provided the opponent stops or attempts to stop on contact and moves around the screen, and provided the screener is not displaced if he / she has the ball.

A player may not use the arms, hands, hips or shoulders to force their way through a screen or to hold the screener and then push them aside in order to maintain a guarding position on an opponent.

**It is also important to note that contact must be made in order for an illegal screen to be present**

As you can see, this is quite a bit of information for officials to process when ruling on contact involving screens, and we have only touched on the basic principles. As always, your gauge on officials regarding these plays, should be on how consistent they were throughout the contest.

Now that you know the basics, take a look at the clip below and let me know if you have illegal or incidental contact.

Thank you for spending another 3 Seconds in the Stripes!