The “Next” Big Trend in PnR Defense by Stefan Grassegger
Of course, we are all familiar with the analytics-friendly approach to PnR defense. Generally speaking, drop coverages are mostly concerned with containing the ball and the roller as much as possible. The idea behind dropping the big back towards the rim, is to keep the defense as compact as possible and limit backside rotations.
However, this leaves the defense at the ballhandler’s mercy. The advent of PnR ballhandlers being able to pull up from three at an elite level (think: Curry, Wardell Stephen and Irving, Kyrie Andrew) made it all the more difficult for bigs to play the temporary 1 on 2 dynamic while their guard is recovering. This problem, paired with defenders becoming bigger and more athletic, lead to the comeback / trend of two PnR coverages: the (aggressive) switch & types of hedges and shows (Note: these observations mainly apply to FIBA basketball). By employing more aggressive PnR coverages, defenses have a better chance of impacting the offense (e.g. forcing ball out of the hands of scorers, speeding offense up). Another big part is that more agressive coverages automatically lead to the offense passing the ball more. This allows defenses to A: force multiple passes before a shot attempt and B: allow the defense to attack passing lanes. Hold that thought for later.
All things considered, however, more aggressive coverages have one significant drawback. Whereas drops keep the big close to the rim, hedges and shows pull defenders out where they can’t provide rim protection. While it may make more sense to hedge out with more mobile bigs, not every X5 or X4 (or other defenders for that matter) fits that mold. Especially with slower bigs, hedging out can become a dangerous procedure. Foul troubles, getting split, guards turning corner on the bigs and long recovery distances can cause defenses and coaches headaches.
So is there a way, how defenses can put pressure on PnR ballhandlers without putting the onus on bigs? Well, obviously the answer has to be yes, or else this post wouldn’t have gone online. While I don’t know where the defense originated exactly, presumably, Spanish basketball has gifted us the “NEXT” defense. I have seen this type of defense first by the ACB teams of Monbus Obradoiro and Iberostar Tenerife.
What is the idea behind the “NEXT” defense? Arguably this defense can be conceptualized as a run and jump defense in the PnR. Instead of having the big attack the basketball, it is the next defender on the perimeter (i.e. the defender that is dribbled at) who is responsible for that job. This explains the name of the defense. This type of coverage forces offenses to move the ball crisply and takes advantage of poor spacing (or as we would say these days: inapropriate social distancing). So how does the “NEXT” defense achieve this? NOTE: Obviously, all the absolutes of 1 on 1 defense (i.e. fighting over screens/not being rejected) apply to this coverage as well. However, this blog shall focus on the specifics of the “NEXT” defense.
Starting with the first rotation: As soon as the offense plays the PnR, the next defender needs to attack the ballhandler in a way that stops the penetration AND plays the passing lane to the first pass out. This player needs to have active hands and slow the initial pass out of the PnR down. As has been mentioned, forcing the pass and attacking passing lanes is a big component of aggressive coverages. It is even more important in this coverage, as uncontested and quick (extra-)passes are a way to punish rotations. Given the fact that almost all players are forced to scramble, slowing down advancement passes becomes even more of an imperative.
The initial defender fights over the screen and looks to pressure the ball from behind (e.g. by swiping at the ball), before rotating out to his new defensive check. Ideally, this rotation is limited to two defenders. However, teams that move the ball better, will force a third defender into the rotation. Our initial on-ball defender needs to read where he’s needed and “run to where his help came from.”
The third defender in the rotation (here X4) has to read if and to what extent he is needed. If O3 is a non-shooter (and O4 is a sniper) or he sees X1 recovering early, X4 can stay at home and provide stunt help. If X4 realises that a full rotation becomes neccessary, he rotates up. Once again for emphasis: The more actively the passing lanes are attacked, the more time the other defenders get to scramble and recover. Hence, on a full rotation, X4 would have to attack the (extra-) passing lane between O3 and O4.
In the example above, you can see that X4 only stunts at O3. Hence, X1 runs to where his help came from. X3 gives full help. Hence X1 picks up O3. Let’s now look at a full rotation on the weakside.
Here, you can see X1 rotating all the way through to O4, as X4 rotates up to O3. Again, X1 runs to where his help cam from. First X3 covered for him, then X4 covered for him, so he covers for X4. An important sidenote: As this defense attacks passing lanes, drives to the middle can be open (see red arrow). However, should O3 drive the rotation, X1, who is on his rotation through, picks up the drive, while X4 scrambles back.
The big’s job is very simple. He just needs to stay beneath the roll man. He can either stay in a drop or quickly stunt at the ballhandler. The most important thing, howerver, is to stay beneath the level of the roller. Also, the job of X2 (or in other cases: the defender of the shaker) is rather simple. He needs to stay in charge of his man and prevent passes back. If he can get a free hit on the roller, he should shortly tag. But he only tags if does not give up the pass to the shaker — that’s the first priority.
When does this coverage make sense? As previously indicated, “NEXT” defense is a great way to be aggressive while protecting the big at the same time. Also: This is a great defense if you have a long and athletic team. While I am not sure if this D is applicable in the NBA (due to different court dimensions), just imagine Giannis Antetokounmpo wreaking havoc in the passing lanes on the Greek national team.
Knowing all of this, how can this coverage be attacked, and where do potential dangers lie? First and foremost, this defense can only be employed when there is a next defender available. This means, in turn, that “NEXT” defense can’t be played on angle screens with an empty ballside corner. Personnally, I also would not play it when the PnR goes to the one man side. I have seen teams do it, but rotations can become very tricky and long. As mentioned multiple times throughout, flat recovery/attacking angles in passing lanes make it difficult to rotate because the ball is passed out and advanced too quickly. In fact, this is probably the most important teaching point. Hence, again for emphasis: THE DEFENSE NEEDS TO ATTACK THE PASSING LANES.
In terms of attacking the coverage, there are two ways of punishing the rotation. The first would be a cut from the 45 degree angle. To cover this action, great comminication and rotation discipline is of utmost importance. The defenders in front need to freeze up and the low man (here X4) needs to absorb the cut, while the initial on-ball defender rotates through to the open man. Check out the following diagram:
While this action can be handled somewhat efficiently, there is a second cutting concept that is the metaphorical Kryptonite of this defense. If O4 cuts instead of O3 and O3 drifts, the defense hast to make a tough choice of what to cover first. If the D absorbs the cut, the initial on-ball defender has an extremely long way to cover. If the D focuses on the perimeter drift, it might open up a lay-up coming off the baseline cut. (You can find instances of these counters towards the end of the video compilation below)
In the following clips, you should be able to see a lot of the concepts and details we talked about.
I would like to close this blog post by highlighting the online coach clinic of coach Thomas Roijakkers. Coach Roijakkers has invited coach Moncho Fernández, who is the coach of Monbus Obradoiro, for a free online webinar. As he is one of the minds behind the “NEXT” defense, it is a great chance to learn more about this innovative idea of covering PnRs.
