Action - Reaction ; Off Ball Screens Defense

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction (Newton's Third Law of motion)

In my Final Four Preview post I wrote about the way Barcelona was going to play defense against one of Real Madrid more special players, JC Carroll.

Now, after two games in the Liga Endesa finals, I'll talk again on the topic, as I think both coaches have worked with their teams to anticipate the other.

If you remember, when guarding Carroll, FCB often switch when defending off ball screens. 

These are two basic situations the white team play for him, Barcelona's reaction and Real's counter.

Baseline off ball screens (smalls' cross)

Barcelona's switching action (X2 - X5 - X4)

Real's counter (feeding 5 who is guarded by X2) Nice reaction, looking for the big guy in a clear mismatch situation in low post. 

And Barça is using their low post rotation defense to adjust to that situation. Which Real try to punish with an extra pass.

The second situation is a diamond, with both teams following the same steps.

Barcelona's switching action (X2 - X4 - X5)

Real look for the mismatch...

Defensive rotation... Extra pass...

Let's take a look at the video:

We have two (or three) more games ahead... Both teams know each other, both teams are ready... And I can't wait for the next one...