Flare Screen
A screen set away from the ball to free a shooter moving toward the perimeter or corner.
About This Action
The Flare Screen is a highly effective off-ball screening action designed to create immediate shooting opportunities for perimeter players. Unlike a down screen that sends a player towards the basket, or a back screen that sends them towards the basket from the perimeter, a flare screen is set 'away' from the ball to propel a shooter *out* towards the three-point line, typically the wing or corner. The ball handler is usually positioned on the opposite side of the court or at the top of the key, drawing defensive attention and creating a wider operating space for the screen. The execution is precise: a screener, often a post player or another perimeter player, establishes a solid, stationary base on the defender of the intended receiver. The receiver, usually starting closer to the paint (e.g., low block, elbow extended), then utilizes this screen to 'flare' out quickly, moving laterally or diagonally away from the basket and parallel to the baseline or sideline. The goal is to emerge from the screen with sufficient space and balance to catch the ball in their shooting pocket and release a shot before the defense can recover. This action stretches the defense horizontally, forcing complex communication and challenging individual defensive recovery speed. Its significance lies in its ability to generate high-percentage catch-and-shoot three-pointers, especially for sharpshooters. It forces opposing defenses to make tough decisions: fight through the screen, switch, or concede the shot. Furthermore, if the defense overplays the flare to deny the shot, it can open up back-door cuts or slips by the screener or receiver, adding another layer of offensive threat. The timing between the screener setting, the receiver's cut, and the ball handler's pass is paramount for the success of this dynamic offensive maneuver, making it a staple in many half-court sets and motion offenses.