COURT 202

LESSON 3 OF 7

LEVEL 2Small Sided2v2

The Switch Is a Gift

15X5X1SEAL
FIG. 15READING THE SWITCH2V2
When defenders switch on a screen, they trade problems — and usually one of them gets the worse deal. Maybe a slow defender is now guarding the quick ball-handler, or a small defender is now on the tall screener. Your job is to notice the trade instantly. After every switch, ask: who got the better matchup, me or my teammate? If it's you, attack. If it's your teammate rolling to the basket with a smaller defender on their back, get them the ball. The switch isn't the defense solving your screen — it's the defense offering you a choice of two new advantages.

READ THIS

Watch the two defenders' bodies at the screen — when they trade assignments, immediately compare sizes and speeds in the new matchups.

DO THIS

Pick the better mismatch within one beat: feed the seal deep if your screener has a smaller defender pinned, or iso the slower defender before help organizes.

COACHING LINEAGE

Gregg Popovich

Ball movement is a weapon — the extra pass is always right. Good shot to great shot, every possession.

Brad Stevens

Analytical precision: the right shot in the right spot beats a contested hero shot every time.

IN THE SITUATION ROTATION

Your partner screens for you in 2v2 and the defenders switch it. Now the bigger defender is on you at the arc, and your bigger partner has the smaller defender pinned behind them near the right block, arm up asking for the ball.

Appears as a Situation of the Day · 2v2

The Switch Is a Gift