Defending Off-Ball Picks

Coach’s variation from Winthrop’s John Sung (KuddaSports)

The play, beat by beat

1. 1Their Top Center passes to their Top RightTop Center Defender sags
2. 2Top Center Defender marks (Pick coming)Top Left Defender marks (Jammer)
3. 3Top Left Defender marks their Top LeftTop Center Defender marks their Top Center
4. 4Their Top Right passes to their Top LeftTop Right Defender sags

Coaching points

• The picker's defender sees it first and calls "Pick coming, pick coming!"
• The defender being picked calls "Jammer!" She gets close enough to give the picker a legal nudge, so she has room to slide through.
• Always go underneath the pick, never over the top. Underneath, you meet the cutter on the far side, goal side, before she can turn the corner for a quick shot.
• This is Winthrop's rule (John Sung). Other defenses fight over the top or switch: pick one way for your team.

How it was checked

Only one source describes it: one coach’s or one program’s own take. We found no second source to check it against. Coach’s variation from Winthrop’s John Sung (KuddaSports).

More settled defense

• Crash
• High-Pressure Defense
• Face Guard