Switching on a Screen

Switching on a Screen

by American Sport Education Program

chapter from Coaching Basketball - Technical and Tactical Skills>

Switching on a screen is a defensive tactic where two defenders switch defensive assignments in an effort to prevent the offense from gaining an advantage on the screen. When an offensive player sets a screen, the defender guarding the screener will call out, "Switch," which cues the defender being screened to switch defensive assignments and pick up the teammate's player (i.e., the screener). The defender who was guarding the screener picks up the offensive player coming off the screen. Switching on screens will give the offensive players very little space to execute a shot or a pass. The defender who is guarding the screener needs to switch to the offensive player coming off the screen immediately. This will limit the time for the shot if the offensive player is dribbling off the screen or will deny the pass if the offensive player coming off the screen does not have the ball.

WATCH OUT!
The following circumstances may distract your athletes:

1. Not communicating when making the switch.
2. Turning the head away from the ball and losing sight of the ball.
3. Guarding offensive players on the switch who have a size advantage.
4. Facing an offensive player whose quickness coming off of screens puts pressure on the switch.
5. Facing offensive players who are good shooters coming off the screen. This may force the defender to concentrate on the shooter rather than the screen.

ACQUIRING THE APPROPRIATE KNOWLEDGE
To help ensure your team's success in switching on screens, you and your players must know about the following:

Rules
You and your players need to know several main rules related to switching on a screen:

1. When switching on a screen, defenders must be careful not to hold the dribbler as he or she tries to use the screen. This could result in a holding foul being called.
   
2. An offensive player cannot run into a defender who is stationary or a charge will be called. The defenders may be able to draw a charge if they can switch quickly and one of the defenders steps out to guard the dribbler. If the defender is too late in getting position to draw the charge, a blocking foul could be called on the defender.
   
3. An offensive player who has the ball may not dribble or hold the ball for longer than five seconds when being closely guarded. This may come into play if the defenders force the dribbler to keep the ball after the switch for longer than the allowed five seconds.
   
4. An offensive player cannot be in the lane for longer than three seconds. A lane violation could be called if the switch takes place in the lane and an offensive player stays in the lane for longer than the allowed three seconds.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Opponents
You and your players must account for the opponent's strengths and weaknesses to know how to switch on a screen properly. Consider the following about your opponents:

1. 1. How big are the opponent's players? If the offensive players are bigger, this can cause some problems for switching defenses because a small defender may switch to a taller offensive player. If this happens, the defenders must be very aggressive to neutralize the size advantage of the offensive players. The defenders should also make sure the switch is very quick, which is dependent on the communication of the defenders.
       
   2. Is the player with the ball a strong shooter? If the offensive player for whom the screen was set is a good shooter, the defenders must switch quickly to stop the player from shooting the ball behind the screen. The defenders must switch as the offensive player dribbles over or off the screen so that the player cannot get an open shot.

1. 1. Does the screener roll to the basket or step back for a jump shot? If the screener rolls to the basket after the screen, the defender who switches onto the screener must get in front of this player to discourage the pass. If the screener steps back after the dribbler uses the screen, the defender must get a hand up to discourage the jump shot if the screener receives a pass.
       
   2. Does the offensive player using the screen have good quickness? If so, as the offensive player comes off the screen using the dribble, the defender who is switching onto this player should get in a position to prevent the player from taking a direct path to the basket around the screen.

Self-Knowledge
Besides being aware of your opponent's abilities, you and your players need to know about your own team's strengths and weaknesses. Teach your players to be aware of the following when switching on a screen:

1. 1. How quick are your players? If the defender who switches onto the offensive player using the screen is quicker than that offensive player, this will help make the switch more successful. The defender will be able to get in front of the player using the screen and prevent the player from going to the basket.

1. 1. How physically strong are your players? If the switching defenders are physically strong, this will help when there is a mismatch or difference in size between the defenders and the offensive players after the switch takes place. The defender who switched onto the screener will be able to stop the screener from going to the basket on the roll.
       
   2. How big are your players? If the defenders are all about the same size, switching will be much easier because the defenders will not be in a mismatch situation when the switch occurs.

Decision-Making Guidelines
When deciding how to gain the best advantage when switching on a screen, you and your players should consider the previous information as well as the following guidelines:

1. 1. If the opponent typically uses a pick-and-roll and the screener rolls off the screen and to the basket, the defender who switches to guarding the screener must work to get in front of the screener on the roll. This will help the defender prevent a pass to the screener as the screener rolls to the basket.

1. 1. If the offensive player who is going to set a screen sees the switch coming, this player may attempt a backdoor cut before setting the screen. If this occurs, the help- side defenders must be prepared to cover this cut as the offensive player goes to the basket for a pass.

1. 1. The screener may have a screen set for him or her by another player in the offense–in other words, "screening the screener" may take place in the offense. In this situation, two switches may be executed by the defense.
       
   2. A screen will often be set when a dribbler is trying to get the ball from the backcourt into the frontcourt against good defensive pressure. When the defenders switch on this screen, a big defender may end up guarding the smaller dribbler on the switch. If this occurs, the defender must make sure to keep proper spacing so the dribbler cannot go by the bigger, and probably slower, defender.