Unders Coverage

Unders Coverage, also known as going under the screen, is a pick-and-roll defensive strategy where the on-ball defender chooses to go underneath the screen set by the offensive player rather than fighting over the top of it. This defensive technique is a calculated risk that defenses employ based on the offensive player's shooting ability, the location on the court, and the overall defensive game plan. The fundamental concept behind unders coverage is that the defense is willing to concede an open or lightly contested jump shot in exchange for preventing a drive to the basket or a more dangerous offensive action. When a defender goes under a screen, they create a cushion between themselves and the screened offensive player, maintaining a path that allows them to stay between the ball handler and the basket without navigating through the screen. This approach prioritizes protecting the paint and preventing easy layups over contesting outside shots. The decision to play unders coverage is typically made based on scouting reports and statistical analysis of the ball handler's shooting ability. If the ball handler is a poor or inconsistent outside shooter, the defense may instruct their on-ball defender to consistently go under screens, essentially daring the player to beat them with jump shots. This strategy forces the offensive player to either take shots they're uncomfortable with or to attack in other ways that may be less efficient. Teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks have historically used unders coverage effectively against ball handlers who lack consistent three-point shooting. The technique requires the on-ball defender to fight through the bottom of the screen while maintaining vision of the ball, creating a shorter path to recovery than going over would require. However, the defender must still move quickly to close out on the shooter if they decide to pull up for a jump shot, as even below-average shooters can make open shots at a reasonable rate. The screener's defender also plays a crucial role in unders coverage, typically employing drop coverage where they sink back toward the paint to protect the rim while the on-ball defender recovers. This creates a two-man wall that prevents drives and forces the ball handler to make decisions from the perimeter. The timing and positioning of both defenders must be coordinated, as any miscommunication can lead to open shots or driving lanes. Coaches teach specific footwork for going under screens, emphasizing that the defender should maintain a low stance, keep their eyes on the ball handler, and use quick lateral slides to recover defensive position. The defender must also be prepared to sprint back into the play if the ball handler rejects the screen or makes a quick pass to a teammate. One of the key advantages of unders coverage is that it's less physically demanding than fighting over screens, allowing defenders to conserve energy over the course of a game. This can be particularly important in playoff series or late in games when fatigue becomes a factor. Additionally, going under can disrupt the offensive timing and rhythm of pick-and-roll actions, as ball handlers may have to stop and shoot rather than attacking in flow. However, unders coverage has significant risks in the modern NBA, where three-point shooting has become increasingly important and many players have developed reliable pull-up jump shots off the dribble. Elite shooters like Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, and Trae Young have essentially made unders coverage obsolete when defending them, as they can consistently punish defenses with pull-up threes from 25-30 feet. These players have the quick release and range to shoot before the defender can fully recover, turning what should be a defensive advantage into an offensive opportunity. The analytics revolution in basketball has also influenced how teams approach unders coverage, as teams now have detailed data on every player's shooting percentages in different scenarios. This information allows coaches to make more informed decisions about when to go under and when to fight over screens. Some teams use a game-plan approach where they go under against specific players but switch to overs coverage against others, or even adjust their coverage based on the game situation, score, and shot clock. The location of the screen also impacts whether defenses choose to go under. Screens set above the three-point line are more likely to be defended with overs coverage, as going under gives the ball handler too much space to shoot a three. Screens set at the elbows or below the three-point line might be defended with unders coverage more frequently, as the ball handler would have to take a longer, more difficult shot. The game context matters as well - late in games when protecting a lead, defenses may be more willing to force the offense into outside jump shots by going under screens. Conversely, when trailing and needing stops, defenses might tighten their coverage and go over more screens. Some coaches use unders coverage strategically in the early part of games to test whether opponents can make open shots, adjusting their coverage as the game progresses based on what's working. This adaptive approach requires smart, well-coached defenders who can recognize and adjust to the coverage called out by teammates or coaches. Communication is essential in unders coverage, with teammates often yelling "under" or "through" to let the on-ball defender know the game plan. The screener's defender also communicates, calling out "I got two" or "sink" to indicate they're in drop coverage position. These verbal cues help coordinate the defensive action and prevent breakdowns. Modern offenses have developed several counters to unders coverage, including the snake dribble, reject the screen, and having the ball handler simply pull up for an open shot. Some teams will specifically hunt for unders coverage by setting ball screens for their better shooters, knowing that going under creates immediate advantages. Other teams use ghost screens or slip screens to manipulate defenses that are too quick to go under. The counter-counter from defenses has been to disguise their intentions, showing as if they're going over the screen before ducking under at the last moment, or vice versa. This keeps offensive players guessing and can disrupt their timing. Some elite defenders like Jrue Holiday and Marcus Smart have mastered the art of varying their screen navigation, sometimes going over and sometimes under even against the same player in the same game, making themselves unpredictable and harder to game-plan against. The evolution of unders coverage reflects broader trends in basketball strategy, where defenses must constantly adapt to offensive innovations and changing player skill sets. As more players develop reliable three-point shooting, particularly off the dribble, pure unders coverage becomes less viable as a default strategy, though it remains an important tool in the defensive arsenal when used appropriately.