Hoops Beyond the Huddle Vol. 11

Virtus Bologna: Euro Ball Screen Pin

Author

Keevan Veinot
January 24, 2024

Welcome to the eleventh issue of Hoops Beyond the Huddle!

This week we’re taking a look at the top Italian team, (third place in Euroleague) Virtus Bologna tweak a simple set to their advantage. Not only do they get a high percentage shot from this set, one read turns it into an open layup. This play comes from week 21 of Euroleague action.

Watch the clip and we will break it down below.

There are definitions for all the actions explained in this newsletter, at the bottom. All words that are bolded in black can be found.

This action is called Euro Ball Screen Pin.

This set starts off in Euro Ball Screen formation - an empty wing ball screen and an overload on the weak side. The 1 dribbles the defender down low, and the 5 trails and sets a drag screen. The 1 dribbles off the screen and the five rolls.

On the weak side, the 2 and the 3 exchange. The 2 walks down and sets an brush screen on the defender of the 3 (action 1). This is a small detail but is one of great importance. This allows Marco Belinelli, 13 year NBA pro and Italian knock down shooter, to get in the shooter spot. If you pay close attention, he doesn’t set the screen on the 3-point line, he sets it in between the 3-point line and the low block - more on this later.

The 1 probes the next defender and swings the ball to the 4 at the slot. The 3 cuts up and into a dribble hand off (DHO) with the 4. The 5 comes out and sets a flare screen on the 1 (action 2).

action 1 // action 2

The 3 receives the handoff at the slot. After handing off the ball, the 4 sets a pin down screen on the 2. Since the screen is being set in the 2 point area, it is more difficult to defend. Not only does the defender have a tougher angle fighting over the screen, he can’t cheat and go under because any good shooter (namely Belinelli), would flare for an easy shot. (action 3).

Belinelli curls off the pin down screen and has an open shot. However, the 3 cuts to the rim immediately after passing to create more space for the shot. Since there is nobody in the key (as the 5 is on the perimeter setting a screen), the 3 is wide open and Belinelli hits him on a last second pass for the finish (action 4).

action 3 // action 4

That’s this week’s playbook breakdown! Would you be interested in a more in depth breakdown of Euro Ball Screen as a continuity offense with common actions? If so, let me know. I would love to showcase the offense which helped make European basketball so enjoyable to watch.

Key Terms & Definitions:

Euro Ball Screen: empty wing PnR with weak side action on reversal (typically wing cut)

Empty Wing Ball Screen: empty side corner ball screen

Drag Screen: transition ball screen

Brush Screen: interference cut that occupies defender

DHO (dribble handoff): player dribbles toward teammate and handsoff ball

Flare Screen - off ball screen for player to cut along perimeter away from ball

Pin Down Screen: off ball screen for player to cut from baseline to perimeter

Flare: use screen to cut away from the ball (to punish defenders going under screen)

Swing:  location on the court where lane of key extends up to meet 3 point line

Low Block: location on court that is closest to the rim but outside the key (painted rectangle)

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Cheers,

Keevan

Founder of Hoops Beyond the Huddle