SOS Switching Concepts
Things to discover or recall:
Switching is an integral part of the SOS Pressure Defense system.
Automatic switching eliminates any hesitation and cuts down the number of fouls committed.
"Screen-Over-Switch" are the basic SOS terms for switching action.
Off-Ball screens are disrupted by aggressivley attacking the passing lanes.
A "Hi-Lo" switching technique is used to defend baseline screens.
Aggressively switch On-Ball screens above the free throw line extended, and aggressive trap On-Ball screens below free throw line extended.Two on two switching has always been a subject of healthy debate in coaching circles. It is now, out of necessity, becoming somewhat more widely used, but still frowned upon by many basketball "purists." However, in our opinion, it is by far the most effective and potent pressure "D" maneuver against the modern day OFF and ON ball screening offenses. Therefore, Contact Switching is an important and integral part of the SOS Pressure Defensive System.
SOS Switching: | Rules | Techniques | Off Ball | On Ball |
Switching Rules
Specific reasons for "Contact Switching" rules are listed in order of importance:
It is far more effective in denying the passing lanes to opponents coming off the screen, than the "Show and Recover" or the "Slide Thru" approach so commonly used.
Automatic Contact Switching on all ON and OFF ball screens eliminates hesitation on the part of the defenders, denying quick catches, thus negating the open jump shots coming off screens.
Switching totally disrupts any type of screening offensive flow. It leaves the offense in a state of bewilderment and frustration, disrupting offensive momentum through constant disruption of set plays and patterns involving screens.
Fewer fouls are committed as opposed to other methods of defending screening offenses.
Switching denies first passing lanes and forces teams into turnovers, rushed or bad shots, thus increasing a team's easy points via transition baskets.
These pluses more than balance the occasional mismatch of players. In situations where mismatches do occur, immediate and automatic traps are in effect using the Near Player rotations.
SOS Switching Techniques
Screen Over Switch are the basic SOS terms used for switching action. First, the defender guarding the screen calls out the word "Screen" to alert their teammate of the impending screen, and then hedges "Over" one stride to block the pathway of the offensive player moving off the screen. For the final action, "Switch" is called out as the defender assigned to the screener switches to guard the offensive player coming off the screen while the second defender switches simultaneously to the player setting the screen.
Off-Ball Switching Techniques
The purpose of SOS "Off Ball" switching is to disrupt screening action away from the ball by aggressively attacking the passing lanes, and denying the "catch" and quick jump shot by an offensive player coming off a screen.
Down Screen
Phase 1. Contact Switch
Defenders X3 and X4 initially assumes a one pass away SNUGGLE pass denial position. Defender X3 bumps O3 on down screen and then hedges to outside of screener one full stride directly into path of O4 coming off the screen, X3 executes a contact switch, forcing O4 wide, thus preventing a straight cut off O3's down screen. X4 moves into a SNUGGLE pass denial position against O3.
Phase 2. Snuggle Pass Denial
After the aggressive contact switch, both X3 and X4 assume contact SNUGGLE positions denying any direct pass from ballhander.
NOTE: On all SOS "Off Ball" switches emphasis is on contact switching leaving no daylight between the defensive and offensive players.
Back Screen
Phase 1. Contact Switch
Defenders X3 and X4 initially assume a one pass away SNUGGLE pass denial position. When O4 steps out to set a back screen, defender X4 verbalizes "Screen - Over - Switch" and hedges to outside of screener X4 directly in to path of cutter O3. X4 executes a contact switch, forcing O3 wide and preventing a straight cut to basket O4's back screen. X3 steps over screener X4 and assumes a contact SNUGGLE pass denial position against screener O4.
Phase 2. Snuggle Pass Denial
After the aggressive contact switch, both X3 and X4 assume contact SNUGGLE positions denying any direct pass from ballhander.
NOTE: On all SOS "Off Ball" switches emphasis is on contact switching with the defender assuming a contact SNUGGLE position leaving no daylight between the defensive and offensive players.
Base Screen
"Hi-Lo Switch Rule". If the cutter goes baseline (low) off the base screen, the defenders switch; when the cutter goes over the top (high) of the basescreen, the defenders do not switch.
Cutter Goes Low (Baseline)
Phase 1. Contact Switch
Defender X4 forces O4 to baseline. X5 moves to baseline side of screener O5 with right foot near baseline, left foot straddling O5 and with straight ahead vision. X4 steps "Over" O5's screen.
Phase 2. Snuggle Pass Denial
Baseline defender X5, switches to cutter O4 by making a reverse pivot and assuming a contact fronting postion. X4 assumes a contact SNUGGLE denial position on O5 preventing any direct pass.
NOTE: Key is the contact reverse pivot by defender X5 on switch to O4.Cutter Goes High (Over Base Screen)
Phase 1. Contact Switch
No Switch. When cutter O4 goes over the top, defender X4 steps over O5's base screen directly in the path of O4 and then assumes a contact SNUGGLE positiion on O4, denying any direct pass from the wing O2.
Phase 2. Snuggle Pass Denial
X4 assumes a fronting position on O4 in low post area, and X5 assumes a contact SNUGGLE denial on O5.
On-Ball Switching Techniques
SOS "On-Ball" switching has two scenarios. One above the free throw line and one below the free throw line. Above the free throw line an aggressive contact switch is executed to deny all quick jump shots and middle penetrations. Below the free throw line, an aggressive trap is utilized near the base or corner checkpoints.
On Ball Screen Set ABOVE the Free Throw Line Extended
Phase 1. Contact Switch
Defender X4 bumps screen O4 and then hedges out one stride directly into path of ballhander. Defender X3 moves to the inside of screener directly in front of screener forcing screener to go thru his/her body.
Phase 2. Snuggle Pass Denial
After the aggressive contact switch X4 forces ballhandler to near side or corner checkpoint denying middle penetration or quick jumper coming off the screen. When ballhander stops dribble, X4 assumes a SMOTHER position. Defender X3, after screener rolls to the basket, moves into a SNUGGLE position to deny passing lane form ballhandler.
Phase 3. Smother
Defender X4 assumes aggressive SMOTHER position on the ballhandler to disrupt his/her passing vision into post area. X3 assumes a FRONT position on screener utilizing "slip front" technique.
NOTE: other three defenders move into weakside "I" positions assuming "I" responsibilities in a low semi-flexed stances with vision on ballhandler. Basic SOS rules are in effect.
On Ball Screen Set BELOW the Free Throw Line Extended
Phase 1. Baseline Trap
Defender X3 pushes ballhandler O3 towards base or corner check points while X5 leaves the screener before screen can be set, traps X3 from baseline area. Low I moves to open screener as screen is set.
Phase 2. Triangle I
Defeenders X3 and X5 aggressively lock up the ballhandler while the Low I defender moves to the offensive strong side low post player assuming a 3/4 fronting position with other two defenders completing the "Triangle. I"
Phase 3. Closing Out
On pass out of trap, all play defenders move to the nearest offensive player. All SOS fundamental and "Base Go I" rules are in effect.
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