How to Teach the Peel Switch in Help Defense
Goal
Teach youth and high school teams how to execute a peel switch when a defender is beaten off the dribble, improving defensive rotations and preventing open shots.
Setup
Players: 2 offensive players (ball handler + off-ball shooter), 2 defenders
Spacing: Ball handler on the wing, one offensive player spaced in the corner
Defensive assignments:
Defender X1 is guarding the ball
Defender X5 is in help, near the lane or rim
Situation: X1 gets beat off the dribble; X5 must help
Step-by-Step Execution
1. Primary Defender is Beaten
The ball handler drives past their on-ball defender (X1).
This triggers the peel switch, X1 must recognize they are beat and begin to recover into space.
2. Help Defender Steps Up
The nearest help defender (X5), typically a rim protector or help-side big, rotates to stop the drive.
X5 switches onto the ball handler with the intent to contain or contest.
3. Peel-Off Rotation
X1, instead of chasing the ball or trying to recover, “peels off” to cover the open shooter or roller that X5 left behind.
This maintains a one-on-one defensive match-up, avoiding having “2 on the ball.”
4. New Matchups Formed
The defense has now rotated with no player left open:
X5 is guarding the ball
X1 is guarding the previously unguarded player (corner shooter, screener, etc.)
Coaching Tips
Train Recognition: Emphasize that defenders must recognize when they're truly beaten—early help is better than late collapse.
Communicate Roles: Use verbal cues like “PEEL!” or “SWITCH!” so teammates know when to rotate.
Angle of Recovery: Teach the peeling defender to recover in closing-out angles, not just chase the ball.
No Hero Plays: Reinforce that trying to recover and “do both” (guard the ball + rotate) is a common youth mistake—trust the switch.
Drill It with Game-Like Speed: Use live 2-on-2 or 3-on-3 drills to simulate downhill drives and quick peel switches.
For youth coaches, simplify by using clear roles: “helper stops the drive, guard finds the open guy.”
For high school teams, combine with pick-and-roll reads, corner spacing, and help-side tagging.
Full Breakdown: Mastering the Peel Switch for Defensive Versatility
What is a Peel Switch?
A peel switch is a help-side defensive rotation that occurs after the ball handler beats their on-ball defender. Instead of both defenders chasing the ball, the help defender steps up and switches onto the ball, while the original defender “peels off” and switches to the next closest offensive threat (usually the corner shooter or screener).
This move:
Maintains matchups without double-teaming
Prevents wide-open corner threes
Disrupts typical drive-and-kick or pick-and-roll reads
Why Not Just Help and Recover?
In traditional help defense:
A beaten defender tries to recover to the ball
The helper temporarily leaves their man to stop the drive
This results in a moment where two defenders are on the ball
Offenses exploit this with quick kick-outs, skips, or dump-offs
The peel switch solves that by:
Avoiding 2-on-the-ball scenarios
Ensuring every offensive player is accounted for
Keeping the defense connected and rotating efficiently
When to Use It
When an on-ball defender gets beat cleanly
Against downhill drivers or athletic ball handlers
In systems with mobile help defenders who can switch and contest
Versus spread offenses with corner shooters
How to Teach It: Practice Progression
Phase 1: Recognition & Timing
Set up 2-on-2 drills with a wing drive and corner spacing
Cue defenders to call “Peel!” and rotate when beat
Phase 2: Build to 3-on-3
Add a roller or a cutter to force decision-making
Emphasize closeouts, rim protection, and communication
Phase 3: Live Shell Drill with Triggers
Run 4-on-4 or 5-on-5 and instruct certain drives to result in peel switches
Pause and reset to show rotations and missed assignments
Common Errors & Fixes
| Mistake | Correction |
|---|---|
| Late peel or no switch | Drill “beaten = peel” mentality with live reps |
| Two defenders stay on ball | Pause drills and walk through switch responsibility |
| Miscommunication | Use loud, clear cues in all reps (“Peel!” “Switch!”) |
| Open shooter not covered | Reinforce recovery angles and scout common pass targets |
Youth Coaching Adjustments
Keep it simple: “If you're beat, your teammate stops the ball, you find the open guy.”
Use mirroring drills with cones or chairs as corner shooters.
Focus more on spacing awareness than perfect timing, build habits.
High School Coaching Adjustments
Integrate peel switches into pick-and-roll defense
Drill it as a response to bad closeouts or drive gaps
Use video breakdowns post-practice to evaluate rotations and teach awareness
Why the Peel Switch Works So Well
It turns broken containment into an organized switch
Disrupts the offense’s spacing rhythm
Maintains man-to-man principles while allowing defensive recovery
Offenses thrive on defenders overhelping. The peel switch gives your team a counterpunch, keeping defensive integrity without overextending rotations.
