Ways to attack teams that switch
As much as the positionless offense is the rage on the offensive side of the ball. I would say positionless defense is becoming popular on the defensive side of the ball.
What is positionless Defense? I would describe it as switching everything and not being afraid to have a mismatch on the court. In my opinion, mismatches don’t beat you open shots beat you. If you are a high school coach like me then switching might be a strategy you use because not every player you will face will have a high basketball IQ.
If you have not faced a switching defense yet, are you prepared for it? How much do you practice against it? Trends spiral downward and it is common in the NBA with teams playing small ball they are using switching defenses which the Golden State Warriors made famous with their run a few years back.
Here are five ways to counter switching defenses
1. Ball Screens/Ghost Screens
Guarding on ball screens is one of the most difficult defensive responsibilities. One way to attack a switching defense is to use ball screens that create mismatches. On ball screens, the Big/Little and Little/Big will cause the defender to have a lot of mismatch issues. It will be up to them to determine how to handle the situation.
Rory Hamilton explains the ghost screens from his clinic he conducted on Attacking Switching Man to Man Defenses
2. Screen your own Man
I know this seems insane but consider this strategy. A teammate on the right side is waiting for your pass on the left side of the court. You screen YOUR OWN MAN as the cutter is going to utilize your screen. Why? Because he's about to SWITCH on to the cutter, but he can't because you're screening him. On every screen, you're getting easy openings. This will cause a lot of confusion for the defenders.
This concept is and more is gone over in the Attacking Switching Defenses Playbook with 68 pages of concepts, sets, and ways to combat switching defenses.
3. Run Set Plays
Sets, in my opinion, are more difficult to switch than straight motion. The majority of motion screens occur between players of similar sizes, making switching easy for the defense.
This play and more are gone over in the Attacking Switching Defenses Playbook with 68 pages of concepts, sets, and ways to combat switching defenses.
4. Back Cutting or Slipping your screen
A switch is expected by the defender while you are down-screening on the wings. The cutter can make a strong back cut (slip) to the basket just before the point of the screen. The issue now is, who has the cutter? Does the initial defender have him, which violates their switching rules, or does the screener's man have him even if the cutter has not yet entered the defenders' area?
5. Embrace the Switch
What do I mean by this? You induce the switch to take advantage of the switch by using some of the concepts listed above. This is a common strategy in the NBA.
From Chapter 6 on Switching Defenses in the DDM A to Z Course.
We induce the switch by middle penetrating and then making a quick pass to the wing and diving the player to the block for the size mismatched. If they front the post 4 flashes for a hi-low opportunity.
System Basketball Clinic on Attacking Switching Man Defenses
Clinic Topic: Attacking Man to Man Defenses that Switch
Speaker: Rory Hamilton
He went over the following:
1. Off-Season Questions for Reflection
2. My offensive philosophy
3. Why do teams switch/decide your method of attack.
4. 41 Motion Offense w/clips
5. 41 Motion Offense Practice Drills
6. Set plays vs. switch
7. Late Game Sets & BLOBS 8. Collected Wisdom
Rory Hamilton’s Attacking Man to Man Switching Defenses
Good Luck Coaches
Marc Hart - System Basketball