Flare Screen: Key Steps to Executing the Basketball Screen

A flare screen is a type of ball screen (or ball pick), an offensive basketball play in which a non-ball-handling offensive player screens a defender by placing their body between the defender and a teammate. This creates space for teammates to catch or distribute passes, attack the hoop, or shoot a jump shot. As the most common offensive play in NBA basketball, there are several different types of ball screens and defensive approaches to defeat them, and there are basketball rules against illegal contact in screens to prohibit its illegal use.

To create a flare screen, a player creates a barrier with their body near the top of the key above the free throw line. In doing so, this player—called the screener—creates space on the perimeter for their teammate to then take an open jump shot or move in for a layup.

A flare screen is a common basketball play in playbooks to give a basketball team on offense a chance to score. Players might execute the flare screen action when they are approaching from the baseline at half court or are around the perimeter of the three-point arc, as well as when a perimeter player is holding the ball on either the left side or right side of the point guard.

As a basketball drill, coaches use the flare screen when training basketball offense players how to create openings for shots. Basketball coaches will likely also have their teams practice other types of fundamental basketball screens, such as back screens, double screens, off-ball screens, on-ball screens, cross screens, down screens, or pick and roll screens.

To perform a flare screen while you are on offense, one teammate blocks a defender while another teammate distributes the basketball, dribbles, or takes a shot. Here are the general steps for executing a flare screen:

1. 1. An offensive player sets a screen. The player that is farthest from the teammate in possession of the ball moves toward the teammate who is closest to the ball—typically the point guard—and sets a screen on the defender to create an open space.
2. 2. A teammate maneuvers around the defender. The point guard can then take advantage of the new screen. With their teammate’s screen set, the point guard is free to move around the screened defender and cut inward toward the basket to prepare for a layup. Alternatively, the point guard can move outward to get in position for a three-point shot.
3. 3. The ball handler passes the ball to their teammate. The teammate who is still in possession of the basketball passes (or skip passes) the ball to the other side of the floor, where the point guard is moving into position for the open shot.

Want to become a better athlete? The MasterClass Annual Membership provides exclusive video lessons from the world’s best athletes, including Stephen Curry, Tony Hawk, Serena Williams, Wayne Gretzky, Misty Copeland, and more.