Nothing can be more frustrating for a team than facing a defense that disrupts its offensive flow by switching actions and neutralizing attempts to create an advantage. As coaches know, switching has become one of the key tools in the defensive toolkit. Whether it’s a team’s primary strategy or just an occasional curveball, switching defense requires much more nuance than meets the eye.
Today, we’ll dive into a “Switching Primer,” outlining major considerations and teaching points, along with links to various videos we’ve shared on the subject.
Let’s dive in…
Why Switch?
As switching has become an essential tool in disrupting modern offensive schemes, it’s crucial to understand the reasoning and intent behind the decision to switch. Like all defensive strategies, knowing the overarching goal of switching enables coaches to make more informed decisions and identify key factors for effective execution. Whether aiming to limit an opponent’s strengths or hide defensive weaknesses, here are a few key factors to consider when deciding to switch.
- Take Shooting Out of the Game: By switching, teams reduce the likelihood of allowing open outside looks. The offense will struggle to create advantages for their shooters, both on and off the ball. Switching keeps defenders close, pressuring shooters and denying them space.
- Keep Bodies in Front of Bodies: Successful switching allows defenders to pass off opponents seamlessly, maintaining strong positioning between the ball and the rim (or the man and the rim). This approach limits the offense’s ability to create 2-on-1 situations through screens, reducing opportunities for breakdowns.
- Limit Help Rotation: Switching can eliminate the need for the low man to rotate on the roller or for other defenders to pull in for support. This limits long closeouts that the offense could exploit.
- Force Isolation Play: Neutralizing an opponent’s screening actions can push system-based scorers into isolation, where they must rely on individual creation. Opponents who rely heavily on schemes to score may be forced to generate advantages through dribble penetration.
- Problem-Solving in Real-Time: Switching offers an “emergency switch” option, enabling the defense to quickly resolve unexpected breakdowns.
When to Switch?
So, you’re ready to switch…now comes the nuance of executing the scheme effectively. With the “Why” guiding the “When,” coaches can assess which offensive actions pose the most significant threats. Even within these screening actions, evaluating player personnel is essential to determine if switching remains the best solution. Here are some key considerations when deciding when to switch, factoring in matchups and disruptive opportunities.
- Like-Sized Defenders: The “No-Brainer.” Switching works best when players of similar size and skill are involved, reducing the risk of a severe mismatch.
- Limit Touches for Primary Scorers: If the goal is to limit a primary player’s touches, “switching to deny” can make it difficult for them to receive the ball in key spots.
- Challenge Role Players: Switches can force lower-skilled players to handle the ball and take on more shot-creation responsibilities. If a primary player or action is neutralized, the ball often ends up with less skilled players forced to make plays beyond their abilities.
- Don’t Switch Unnecessarily: If a less skilled player is involved in the screening action, it may not be necessary to switch. Instead, consider being aggressive on the primary player to force the ball into the hands of a less threatening option.
- Is it Fluff? If early offensive actions are more “fluff” than anything else, avoid an early, easy switch. However, if it’s a threatening early action, then switch.
- Special Situations: Consider switching in specific situations, such as late in the shot clock or in the final seconds of a play.
How? Switching Technique: “Touch, Talk, Take”
Switching effectively requires not only the right timing but also precise technique. The “Touch, Talk, Take” method is a straightforward approach to executing a switch with control and clarity.
- Touch: Make physical contact with the screener to disrupt their momentum into the screen. Steering them into the screen to prevent early slip outs by the screener, or their ability to “blur” the screen.
- Talk: Communicate clearly with other teammate, calling out the screen and using your language.
- Take: With the screener’s momentum stalled, push the screener into the vision the on ball defender, enabling them to effectively pick up the roll/pop.
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Common Counter: While switching helps defenders stay close to their matchups, be aware that a gap often opens up behind the roll after a switch. This concept, often referred to as “driving the wake”, is something we discussed with Birmingham Squadron Head Coach, TJ Saint, in our Film Room Session with him {🔒}. As the on-ball defender works to establish position with the roll, this can create an opening for the ball handler to cross back over and attack the newly created space.
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Zooming In: After a switch, it’s crucial for the defense to quickly re-orient themselves to the ball and close the gap behind the roll.
Mismatch Prevention
No strategy is perfect, and switching inevitably creates mismatches. Therefore, contingency plans must be in place to address these issues and preserve the advantage gained by switching the initial action.
- Pre-Switching: Anticipate ballscreens early and switch the weaker defender off the screener with a stronger defender, usually off the baseline.
- Triple Switching: Post switch, bounce the smaller defender off the big rolling with a bigger body from the weakside corner or 45, as shown below…
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- “Hit” the Perimeter Mismatch: Run a double team at the ballhandler after the switch to force a pass and bounce the big out of the mismatch—a strategy we’ve showcased in the past…
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- “ACE” Defense: This technique is similar to a “Hit,” but involves trapping back with the original matchup once the screener begins to roll. The defender briefly trails the roller to plug the short roll, and once the screener rolls long, the defender releases to trap the ball handler (More to come in the following weeks).
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Above are a few of the more interesting tactics defenses are using to address the mismatches created by switching. It’s also important to consider post-trapping schemes against opponents who are committed to exploiting the size mismatch in the post.
Switching remains a powerful defensive tool in disrupting modern offensive schemes, but it requires careful consideration and precise execution. By understanding the “why,” “when,” and “how” of switching, coaches can enhance their ability to neutralize threats, prevent mismatches, and maintain defensive integrity. As with any strategy, successful implementation hinges on adaptability and preparation, ensuring that defenses are equipped to respond to the inevitable counters that come with switching.
For further resources on Switching here are a few of our favorites available for SG+ Members:
🔒 Switch & Shrink – Sarunas Jasikevicius
🔒 Switch to Peel – Solving the Mismatch on Penetration
🔒 Switching Defense – Big Men Perimeter Defensive Techniques