Pick and Roll Reads: guard to guard pocket step up finishes

This drill focuses on guard-to-guard pick-and-roll actions. Start with a ball handler in the slot with a defender guarding them. Another guard begins in the strong side corner as the screener. Underneath the basket, place a coach or player acting as a rim defender who must stay inside the paint and cannot leave the area around the basket. How it Works: The screener sprints up and sets a ball screen on the low side of the on-ball defender, targeting what is often called the defender’s “back pocket.” Usually defenders switch this screen. As the switch happens, the original on-ball defender is on the top side of the screener, creating a small pocket for the screener to roll to the basket with the defender now on their back. The ball handler reads the switch and delivers a pocket pass to the rolling guard. The rolling guard must finish inside the restricted area while the rim defender contests without leaving the paint. Focus Points: Emphasize setting the screen on the low side of the defender to force the switch and create the back-pocket angle. The ball handler should focus on timing and accuracy when delivering the pocket pass. The rolling guard must seal the defender on their back and finish through contact using fakes, step-throughs, and strong body positioning. The drill reinforces guard-to-guard pick-and-roll timing, pocket passing, and finishing against a rim protector.