Q: Has the Read and React Offense been successful against switching man to man and match up zones?

A: Switching M-M defenses are successful against teams that do a lot of screening; especially the “screen-away” type of action. The R&R does not have any “screen-away” reactions needed to run the offense (if a coach loves screen away, then she can incorporate that action on her own, but it is not a layer). That leaves 3 types of screens in the R&R that could possibly be switched:

1. The Power Dribble Hand-Off Pick and Roll. This could be switched by the defense, but it is not a traditional pick and roll. So many teams do not pick up on the “pick-n-roll” aspect of the Power Dribble until it’s too late; but if they do, no big deal. Its primary purpose is pressure relief for someone on the perimeter. Scoring from the Power Dribble is secondary.

2. A switching team could switch the backscreen successfully. But when multiple screens occur, successful switching becomes difficult if the screeners have any “slipping” skills.

3. When a team switches on the Pin and Skip, it leaves the Pin screener open inside. This is something that is drilled in the offense: Pin screen, skip the pass, and feed the post.

Also, match up zones are as susceptible to the “counters” in the R&R offense as man-to-man or traditional zones are. But, I guess that’s easy for me to say.