If the goal of offense is to create advantages (open looks, two to the ball, etc.), then the goal of the defense would have to be neutralizing advantages as quickly as possible, right? What’s one of the best ways to do that as a defense? Answer: Peel Switching.
Peel switching involves the closest teammate immediately stepping in to guard the ball handler when a defender gets beat off the dribble. Simultaneously, the beaten defender “peels off” to cover the open player, preventing a “2 on the ball” scenario. This tactic helps maintain defensive matchups and disrupts offenses that rely on dribble penetration and kick-out passes. By prioritizing quick switches and eliminating double teams, peel switching aims to keep the defense organized and limit easy scoring opportunities.
In short, here’s how it works:
- When the primary defender is beat off the dribble, the nearest help defender switches onto the ball handler,
- The beaten defender “peels off” to guard the open player.
- If multiple players are involved, each defender rotates up to guard the open man.
NBA and NCAA D1 coach, Will Voigt breaks it this clip…
The key benefit? You minimize having “2 on the ball,” preventing an immediate open pass to another offensive player.
Unlike traditional rotations that can lead to temporary double-teaming and long close-outs (including weakside skips), peel switching attempts to keep everyone matched up and eliminates long rotations. When done well, it can disrupt common offensive actions like “penetrate and kick” and pick-and-roll reads.
I know, you have questions – a lot of questions. Understandable.
Check out the full Peel Switching Defense clinic with Coach Will Voigt. In it you’ll get:
- Slot drive peel breakdowns
- Baseline drive peel breakdowns
- Corner peel breakdowns
- Middle peel breakdowns
- Post peels
- Practice progression
- What teams do against Peel Switching
