What is the Flare Screen variation of Off-Ball Screening?

The screener sets a screen that sends the cutter away from the basket toward the corner or wing rather than toward it — used to free shooters when the defense is overplaying the curl.

What is the Stagger Screen variation of Off-Ball Screening?

Two screens set in sequence on the same defender, forcing them to fight through two bodies before the shooter reaches their spot. Particularly effective against physical defenders who prefer to go under screens.

What is the Iverson Cut variation of Off-Ball Screening?

The ball handler cuts across the free throw line using two teammates as screeners, emerging on the opposite side with a fresh dribble and a momentarily confused defender.

Off-Ball Screening Explained — EuroLeague Basketball

Off-Ball Screening

A screen set away from the ball to free a teammate without the ball — creating an open catch-and-shoot opportunity, a cutting lane, or a mismatch, all without the defense being able to anticipate which option the offense will take.

Offensive Intermediate

Step 1

Dribble

Pass

Cut / Roll / Pop

Screen

Defensive option

Shot

What to watch for

Watch the player without the ball and the player setting the screen — not the ball handler. Off-ball screening happens in the part of the court the camera and most fans ignore. The entire play is designed to exploit that inattention. The catch-and-shoot opportunity that appears to come from nowhere was set up two seconds earlier by a screen you weren't watching.

Stats that answer the question

Real example

In 2024-25, Real Madrid under Chus Mateo were the most sophisticated off-ball screening team in EuroLeague — using a continuous motion offense where every player without the ball was either setting or using a screen, making it nearly impossible for man-to-man defense to track all five players simultaneously.

Related actions

Cut to the Basket Pick and Roll Pick and Roll Defense

Stats to learn