Ball Screen Offense—Punishing the Switch

PUnishing the Switch Overview:

“Switching” ball screens can be an effective way to neutralize the action, especially at the lower levels. Like its name suggests, switching a ball screen means that the two defenders involved in defending the action simply switch the players they are guarding. The screener’s defender take’s the ball handler attacking off the screen, and the ball handler’s defender stays with the screener.

Teams switch ball screens for a variety of reasons—it’s an extremely simple concept compared to other ball screen coverages, it’s easier to learn and is a great option for teams with players who can guard multiple positions.

Going against a team that switches ball screens can be extremely frustrating as an offensive player, and can often feel like there are no clear advantages to attack. Luckily, there are a number of ways to punish the switch that lead to high percentage opportunities.

1. Attack the Mismatch

With most ball screens being set by a big for a guard to attack, the switch will result in the big’s defender on the ball handler and the guard’s defender stuck on the big. This creates two clear mismatches that can be exploited.

Size Mismatch

After setting the ball screen, the big can duck in looking to post up the smaller defender. The ball handler can look to enter it directly to the screener, or make an extra pass along the perimeter for an easier entry. Often times the defense will collapse into the lane on the catch knowing there is a size mismatch, so if the big cannot attack the rim he can look to kick it out to an open shooter.

Speed Mismatch

The second mismatch can be exploited by the ball handler as he comes off the ball screen. With the screener’s defender (usually a big) switching onto him, the ball handler should have a speed and quickness advantage allowing him to get downhill and attack the rim or create enough space for an open pull up. The ball handler may need to initially pull the ball back out towards the perimeter, in-turn pulling the bigger defender away from the paint and creating enough space to attack.

The “boomerang” is also another option for the ball handler to take advantage of the speed mismatch. When coming off the ball screen, the ball handler can make a quick pass along the perimeter to another player, who immediately passes the ball back to the ball handler or boomerangs it. This allows the ball handler to attack the bigger defender off the catch going either direction.

2. Slip the Screen

The screener slipping the ball screen is another way to combat and punish the switch. The screener would still sprint like he is going to set a ball screen, but rather than setting a stationary screen, he quickly cuts to the rim before the defense can react and adjust.

Since the slip action initially looks like any other ball screen, the two defenders involved in the action are expecting to switch offensive players. However, the quick slip to the rim often leads to two defenders guarding the ball in no-man’s land. The ball handler can hit the big as he cuts to the rim, or if the help side defenders collapse to tag that cut he can find an open shooter along the perimeter.

3. Hit the Screener

Coaches and players wrong assume that when a team switches the ball screen, hitting the screener rolling to the rim is not an option. However, hitting the screener as he rolls to the rim is occasionally open against a switch, especially when the defender switching onto the screener gets stuck on the top side. The key to hitting the screener rolling to the rim is to recognize the switch early and make a quick pocket pass or lob.

4. Attack the Weakest Defender

Another great option to punish teams who switch is to attack their weakest defender with your best offensive player—you’ll often see NBA teams use this counter. To do so, the offensive player who is being guarded by the opposing team’s weakest defender will look to set a ball screen for your best offensive player.

The defense switching this will leave your best player in a one-on-one situation against their worst defender. Often times this will lead to a downhill drive to the rim, or at the very worst, the defense will be forced to leave shooters and over help.

5. Punish the Help

The final option against a switch, and really against any PNR coverage, is to punish the help. Switching forces teams to leave shooters on the perimeter and over help in an attempt to neutralize the mismatches.

For example, if the screener (big) ducks in and posts up a smaller defender, the remaining help defenders will collapse into the paint to make it a difficult entry/attack. If the screener’s defender (big) is stuck on an island against a smaller ball handler, the remaining help defenders help in the paint to prevent a straight line drive.

Being able to recognize where the help is coming from and finding that open shooter is critical to defeating any pick and roll coverage.