A diagnostic radiologist based in Saratoga Springs, New York, Damon Deteso has spent more than two decades at Millennium Medical Imaging, where he works with computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, X-ray, and nuclear medicine technologies across five regional hospitals. He holds a physics degree from Holy Cross University and earned his medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, with cross-sectional imaging training at the University of California, San Francisco. Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Deteso has served as a medical advisor with Imagen Technologies, focusing on artificial intelligence applications in X-ray interpretation, and remains active in professional development through organizations such as the American Society of Head and Neck Radiology. His analytical approach to complex systems in radiology reflects a broader appreciation for strategy and problem-solving — including the tactical dimensions of recreational sports like basketball.
According to the Sports and Fitness Association, approximately 30 million Americans play basketball in some capacity every year.
When playing basketball in a recreational setting, players can run several basic plays to give their teams a strategic edge over less experienced opponents. The pick-and-roll is one of the simplest plays in the sport, yet it is so effective that it remains a staple of basketball offenses at even the professional level. With this in mind, it is important for players to develop effective tactics for defending pick-and-roll plays.
Before learning how to defend against the pick-and-roll, players need to understand how the play works. A pick-and-roll is a simple yet versatile offensive motion that teams can run from various points on the floor. In some cases, offenses may focus exclusively on the pick-and-roll, while more experienced teams may run multiple pick-and-rolls over the course of a single, more complex play.
A pick-and-roll typically involves two players, though teams can devise plays with multiple picks that involve three or more players. The play starts with a ball handler dribbling into position while waiting for a teammate to stand near them and set a screen. This teammate is known as the screener, and players can alternatively refer to picks as screens.
The purpose of a screen is to place a body between the ball handler and their defender. This simple motion can create chaos on the court, especially if defenses are not prepared for the challenge. The open ball handler can either shoot the ball, drive to the rim, or pass off to the screener as he or she “rolls” to the rim.
When faced with a screen, defenders have three options: try to stick to their defensive assignment by fighting over the top of the screen, quickly recover by moving under the pick and avoiding the screener, or switching, which involves the ball handler’s defender switching to guard the screener, and while the screener’s defender turns their attention to the ball handler. Each of these options presents defenses with unique problems.
If defenders try to navigate around a pick, the ball handler gains a few valuable steps, providing them with the opportunity to drive to the basket. If the defender slips under the pick, they give their opponent ample space to take a shot. Meanwhile, switching requires precise teamwork and communication.
Even if a defense pulls off an effective switch, it may result in a mismatch, with a larger, slower defender attempting to guard a faster, more agile ball handler. Switching is the best way to nullify the pick-and-roll’s ability to create confusion, but it requires versatile defenders who can coordinate their defensive assignments. If a pick-and-roll involves two guards or two bigs, defenders do not need to concern themselves with mismatches. But in other cases, it can be trickier.
The hedge-and-recover is another useful tactic for defending the pick-and-roll. As the ball handler moves over the top of the screen, the screener’s defender jumps out at them, or hedges, which briefly slows the offensive player down. This brief hesitation can provide the other defender with the time they need to catch up to their defensive assignment. However, the player who hedges needs to quickly recover, otherwise they leave the screener open to roll to the basket.
Finally, defenses can blitz the pick-and-roll. This is similar to the hedge-and-recover, but instead of recovering, the screener’s defender swarms the ball handler along with the original defender, resulting in a double team. This is an aggressive, high-risk tactic that forces the remaining three defenders to begin switching to account for the lapse in coverage. Teams should reserve this tactic for a surprise strategy or for shutting down offensive-minded ball handlers, especially those looking to attack the rim.
About Damon Deteso
Damon Deteso is a Saratoga Springs, New York-based diagnostic radiologist with more than twenty years of clinical experience at Millennium Medical Imaging. He holds staff positions at five regional hospitals, specializing in CT, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray, and nuclear medicine. His academic background includes a physics degree from Holy Cross University and a medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He also spent three years advising Imagen Technologies on AI-driven X-ray interpretation and remains active in professional development through the American Society of Head and Neck Radiology.
