Moving Screens vrs. Full Man Pressure

[barknoll]

We are a small, quick team that has to come with Full court Run/Jump pressure

Have reviewed NFHS 03-04 rules R4-S39 on Screens ....

The teams we play tend to put their B-52(big guys) in slow motion down the middle of the court, taking little "detours" to help out their ball handlers as needed

Can some one put into "laymans" terms rule R4-S39 as it pertains to this situation:
From the NFHS 2003-04 Rules R4-S39:
A1: A screen is legal action by a player who, without causing contact, delays or prevents an opponent from reaching a desired position.
A2: To establish a legal screening position:
a. The screener may face any direction.
b. Time and distance are relevant.
c. The screener must be stationary, except when both are moving in the same path and same direction.
A3: When screening a stationary opponent from the front or side, the screener may be anywhere short of contact.
A4: When screening a stationary opponent from behind, the screener must allow the opponent one normal step backward without contact.
A5: When screening moving opponent, the screener must allow the opponent time and distance to avoid contact. The distance not need to be more than two strides.
A6: When screening an opponent who is moving in the same path and direction as the screener is moving, the opponent is responsible for contact if the screener slows up or stops.

A player is entitled to any spot on the floor, provided he gets to that spot according to the rules.

Thanks for any input

[Bart Tyson]

What you posted pretty much tells it all. The following is just a general idea; when a player sets a screen and the opponent has no time to stop or go around without displacement by either player, then its probably illegal.

[Hawks Coach]

To understand the screening rules, you first must understand a basic concept that an illegal screen is one in which illegal contact is made that prevents a player from making normal defensive movements. Also not that there is technically no call of "illegal screen" - it is usually a block or a push.

The offensive movements you are describing sound to me like a normal run and jump press break strategy. Big players move up court at angles that free up smaller players. The big players get in the path of the defensive trappers causing them to change directions to avoid the contact, delaying and preventing a trap.

Now for the screening rules. These (generally) apply to offensive players placing themselves in the path of a defender. This may be either an anticipated path (the defender isn't yet moving) or an actual path (A1 is cutting guraded by B1, A2 steps into B1's path). As soon as the offense begins cutting into a player's path, the onus is on the offense (screener) to get there legally. Time and distance applies to blind screens on a moving player - you have to allow them a step or two to avoid the screen. If the player is stationary, you are supposed to give one step (rarely called IMO).

The most frequent illegal screens occur when an offensive player arrives late (a blocking foul), or when an offensive player moves through a defensive player. Remember the phrase in the rules you cite that says "without causing contact." A screen can result in contact. When the rules say "causing contact," they really mean that contact occurs and is the result of an illegal action by an offensive player (like arriving late or pushing through a player). If a player arrives legally, is in position, and contact results, the offensive player did not cause the contact by the screening action.

If players are moving normally, the defense will normally have to avoid these players. The rule on screens does not generally apply to players making normal offensive movements, including changing directions, as long as the change in direction allows the defense time to react. If these players are changing directions or suddenly stopping at the last minute and bumping defenders off line, it should be an illegal screen because the offense caused the contact. If the players take a line upcourt that obstructs where a defender can move, that is a normal offensive movement and the defense must adjust.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by Bart Tyson
What you posted pretty much tells it all. The following is just a general idea; when a player sets a screen and the opponent has no time to stop or go around without displacement by either player, then its probably illegal.

That concept probably only applies to a screen from behind. From the side or front,the screener does not have to give "time" or "distance" to have a legal screen.They just have to legally be there before the contact.

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee

That concept probably only applies to a screen from behind. From the side or front,the screener does not have to give "time" or "distance" to have a legal screen.They just have to legally be there before the contact.

If the opponent is moving, the screener must give time and distance.

[Bart Tyson]

From the side or front,the screener does not have to give "time" or "distance" to have a legal screen.They just have to legally be there before the contact. [/B]

IF its "legally" then they gave time and distance. getting to the spot first doesn't make it legal.

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by Hawks Coach
Time and distance applies to blind screens on a moving player - you have to allow them a step or two to avoid the screen. If the player is stationary, you are supposed to give one step (rarely called IMO).

This is only if the screen is from the rear. If the screener is in the field of vision of the screenee (?!) and the screenee is stationary, then no time or distance is required, but the screener must position herself short of contact.

Otherwise, you can take Hawks' Coach's post as very helpful and instructive.

The only thing I'd like to add is to emphasize that if there is no contact, there is no foul. Period. All the screaming from the stands, and many coaches, about moving screens is meaningless. If you as a player choose to avoid moving into a screener, there is no foul, regardless of the screener's movement. That would be a wise choice on your part if the screener is maintaining legal guarding postiion, but if you think she won't have a legal position at the point of contact, you can try allowing contact, and see what happens.