What is the pick and roll in basketball?

The pick and roll is a two-player action where one player sets a screen (the pick) for the ball-handler, then rolls toward the basket. It forces the defense to make a choice, and whatever they give up is the opening.

How does the pick and roll work?

The screener blocks the on-ball defender's path so the ball-handler can turn the corner. Two defenders now have to cover the ball-handler and the rolling screener at once, leaving someone open — the roller, the ball-handler, or a shooter on the weak side.

Why is the pick and roll so hard to defend?

Because it creates a numbers problem. Every coverage (switch, drop, hedge, trap) solves one threat and exposes another, so a well-run pick and roll always leaves a good option somewhere. It is the backbone of modern EuroLeague offense for exactly that reason.

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Offensive action · Intermediate

Pick and Roll

Two players force the defense into a choice it cannot win. The ball handler drives off a teammate's screen, and the defense has to decide: stop the ball, or protect the rim. It cannot do both.

Offense Defense Dribble Pass Cut / Roll / Pop Screen Defensive choice

What to watch for in Pick and Roll

Watch X5, the screener's defender. Does he drop, hedge, or switch? That one decision is the whole play. It settles whether the offense gets a layup at the rim or an open pull-up, and the ball handler is reading him on every single rep.

Pick and Roll in a real game

In 2025–26 Monaco built their offense around Mike James in the pick-and-roll, 16.4 points and 6.4 assists a game from a handler who can pull up over a soft drop or slip the pass to the roller. The action works because it makes the big's defender wrong either way. Step up and the roll is open. Sit back and the guard rises into the jumper.

Common questions

What is the pick and roll in basketball?: The pick and roll is a two-player action where one player sets a screen (the pick) for the ball-handler, then rolls toward the basket. It forces the defense to make a choice, and whatever they give up is the opening.
How does the pick and roll work?: The screener blocks the on-ball defender's path so the ball-handler can turn the corner. Two defenders now have to cover the ball-handler and the rolling screener at once, leaving someone open — the roller, the ball-handler, or a shooter on the weak side.
Why is the pick and roll so hard to defend?: Because it creates a numbers problem. Every coverage (switch, drop, hedge, trap) solves one threat and exposes another, so a well-run pick and roll always leaves a good option somewhere. It is the backbone of modern EuroLeague offense for exactly that reason.