Executing the Pick and Roll in Basketball

In the game of basketball, getting an open shot is one of the most challenging parts of the game. The pick and roll is one of the most basic basketball plays around. When executed properly, the pick and roll can be highly successful in spite of its simplicity. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to execute the pick and roll to perfection.

To properly execute the pick and roll you will need two players. One of these players will have the basketball on offense and the other player will be the one to set the pick.

Setting the pick is very important and must be done properly. A pick in the game of basketball is when an offensive player uses his body as a shield to block a defensive player from guarding the player with the ball. Sometimes the pick can be set away from the ball to free up another player. For the pick and roll, the pick is usually set for the player that has the ball.

With the pick and roll, the player setting the pick will position himself so that when the player with the ball dribbles by, the defensive player will run into him. Once this happens, the person setting the pick will then roll to the basket and look for the pass. The player with the ball will try to pass to the picker when open, and sometimes shoot if the defense reacts accordingly.

Because the pick and roll is generally a two player basketball play, it is most effective when executed against the man-to-man defense. Certainly the pick and roll can work against most zone defenses, but it is most effective when facing man-to-man. The person setting the pick is usually a forward or center, while the person with the ball is usually a guard.

The pick and roll is one of the most effective basketball plays in the game and can send your team to victory if executed properly. Usually the defensive players will become confused, and one of the two players will be open for a shot. If the defense is covering the play well, then another pick can be set and try again.

Variations can also be tried such as having two guards run the play. Instead of having them roll to the basket, they can instead jump outside for a quick three point shot. Regardless of how you do it, the pick and roll can be very effective at any level of the game of basketball.