Switching

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.

Players need to know several main rules related to switching on a screen:

• When switching on a screen, defenders must be careful not to hold the ball handler as he or she tries to use the screen. This could result in a holding foul being called.
• 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 ball handler. If the defender is too late in getting position to draw the charge, a blocking foul could be called on the defender.
• 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 ball handler to keep the ball after the switch for longer than the allowed five seconds.
• 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.