INTERMEDIATE SET PLAY

8. "Pick & Roll Game"

• Pick-and-roll game involves a deliberate attempt by two players on the same-side of the floor (usually on the weak-side) to create a quality scoring opportunity. This is accomplished by working together and using pick & rolls, re-picks, pick & pops, seals, brush picks and slip picks. All the while the strong-side of the offense continuously cycles and keeps their checks engaged and unable to help.

• Before getting started, players often discuss which set-up they want to start in on the weak-side, the two most common are an "empty crease" set (top diagram) or a "mid-board" (bottom diagram).  The picker must disguise the pick by making the defender believe he/she is cutting toward the net. The player who is being picked for also needs to be cunning in their use of the pick, first engaging their defender or perhaps counter-stepping, eventually carrying the ball in the direction that the pick is coming from.

• After the pick is set, the picker should then “roll” toward either the board-side or top-side, depending on which side of the defender the pick was “set.” An east-west pick sees the picker roll to the outside lane, whereas a north-south pick sees the picker roll to the inside lane.

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  The picker (“roller”) should turn the shortest route possible toward the net, "opening up" to the ball without turning their back towards the play (i.e. turn towards the ball; roll 90° instead of 270°).

  When the ball is on the weak-side while on offense, good offensive players will often attempt to play in the "pick-and-roll-game" for 4-5 seconds before passing the ball to the strong-side. This action can be continued off-ball as well, being sure to use 90% of picks and otherwise maintaining proper spacing.