What is an Elevator Screen in Basketball? (Explained)

Basketball is full of different kinds of screens that all look to accomplish different things.

Cross screens try to get a player open on the block…

Back screens free up cutters to the basket…

And ball screens give a ball handler an advantage on their defender to attack the rim.

But if you want a screen to free up a shooter for an outside shot?

Then an elevator screen is what you’re looking for.

Below, we’ll break down exactly how this action works, how to run and defend it, and walk through a few play examples you can use with your team.

An elevator screen is when an offensive player (typically a shooter) cuts between two players before they step together and close the gap before the defender can get through.

This should allow the offensive player to receive a pass for an open outside shot, as their defender got stuck on the other side of the elevator screen.

To make it even more effective, the shooter will often set a screen himself before running through the gap, making it harder for his defender to recover in time.

This particular action is called an elevator screen because, as the two screeners step together to close the gap, it looks just like elevator doors closing.

While the elevator screen itself is tough to defend, there are certain aspects of the action that make it more effective for the offense:

This is the single most important factor.

The two screeners and the cutter must be completely in sync to create an open shot.

The screeners must time closing together on the screen perfectly. Otherwise, the defender will get through the gap to contest the shot or draw a moving screen foul against an offensive player.

The ideal setup is two post players setting the screen for a shooter cutting out to the perimeter.

Having a non-shooter get open at the 3-point line doesn’t really stress the defense, and having guards set an elevator screen for another guard just invites a defensive switch.

Putting your players in the right spots maximizes the chances the elevator screen will work and lead to a high-percentage shot for your team.

What makes this action nearly unstoppable is pairing it with an initial screen or change of direction.

Have the shooter set a cross screen or back screen before running through the gap, and his defender will almost certainly get caught on the wrong side.

If the goal of your elevator screen is to open up a shooter on a wing, you can begin by dribbling the ball in the opposite direction to hold the shooter’s defender in the paint, which will make the screen more effective.

It’s a dangerous action, but it’s not unstoppable…

Here are a few ways a defense can attempt to slow it down:

The screening action of an elevator screen may be a tough cover, but a pass is still required before the action actually materializes into an open shot.

So if you can scout your opponent to know when an elevator screen may be coming within their offense, you can have your on-ball defender put extra pressure on the ball and even shade the passer on one side so they can’t throw the ball to the shooter.

Many times, elevator screen plays tend to focus on one option, so if your defense can take that primary look away, the offense can struggle to flow into something else.

This requires scouting, but it’s one of the best counters available.

If the defender stays glued to the shooter’s hip, there’s almost no way the screeners can close the gap and set a legal screen.

Yes, your defender has to be quick. But a committed trail through the screen is far more disruptive than trying to fight over it late.

This may open up something else if there is a cross screen or back screen before the elevator, but if you want to focus on eliminating a look off an elevator screen, then an athletic defender chasing a shooter is a solid way to do it.

Switching isn’t the first option here because it usually creates a mismatch… a post player stuck guarding a shooter on the perimeter.

However, if you have an athletic post and know an elevator screen play is coming, it is possible to perform a quick switch to prevent an easy look.

The easiest way to do this is for the defender of the screener closest to the ball to switch up and take the shooter, and the shooter’s defender to slide up and make contact with the screener.

If the switch happens quickly enough, it can result in a steal and a fast break layup.

A screen-the-screener sequence (cross screen followed by an elevator screen) that puts the defense in a no-win situation.

The play begins in a box set with the wings on the blocks and the posts on the elbows.

1 initiates the play by dribbling to a wing.

This signals 2 to step toward the help line to set a cross screen for 3. 

Depending on 3’s skill set, 3 can either cut out to the corner or post up on the block.

As 2 sets up for the cross screen, that signals 4 and 5 to turn in and get close together to set up the elevator screen.

Once 3 clears 2’s shoulder, 2 runs up to the top of the key for a potential pass and 3-point shot.

If there is a switch on the screen, 5 can dive to the block and post up since he would now have a guard defending him.

A Princeton offense staple that turns a standard Chin cut into an elevator screen with minimal adjustment.

The offense swings the ball around the perimeter from 1 to 4 to 3 on the wing.

After making the initial pass, 1 cuts off a back screen from 5 above the elbow to cut to the ball side block.

Once the ball reaches 3 on the wing, 4 and 5 step down to set up the elevator screen near the ball side elbow.

1 quickly changes direction after touching the block and comes up to the slot to get the ball back from 3 for a possible outside shot.

This play uses misdirection to get the shooter open on the opposite wing… the defense is looking one way while the action happens the other.

The play begins in a Horns set with the posts above the elbows and the wings in the corners.

1 starts the play by throwing to 4 on the elbow and cutting down to the strong side corner as 2 walks into the block.

As the initial pass occurs, 5 sets a pin down screen for 3 to run just above the free throw line to receive a dribble handoff from 4.

After receiving the handoff, 3 takes another couple of dribbles as 4 and 5 come together to set up the elevator screen for 2.

2 runs through the elevator screen to the opposite wing to receive a throwback pass from 3 for a possible 3-point shot.

Of all the screens in basketball, the elevator screen is one of the toughest to guard.

If the timing, placement, and setup are all there, it’s almost guaranteed to produce an open look.

Grab one of the plays above, rep it at your next practice, and watch your shooters start catching the ball with nobody within six feet of them.