Screen (sports)

Successfully "setting a screen" in team sports such as basketball and water polo requires attention to position and timing.

The teammate changes pace and direction, and cuts (moves or dribbles quickly) very close to the screening player.

The defender who is covering the cutter will have to push into the screening player, or divert around, losing a few steps.

In basketball and lacrosse, the offensive player setting the pick must remain stationary at the moment of contact with the defender, and allow the defensive player a "reasonable opportunity" to avoid the screen; a screen is illegal if the screener moves in order to make contact, and obtains an advantage; the result is an offensive foul in basketball and a technical foul in lacrosse.

Another basketball tactic, called the pick and pop, is for the ballhandler to drive to the basket while the screener squares for a jumpshot.