Live-Ball Reads Communicated Verbally

What it is

• Guard Calls (During possession): "Switch!" → All defenders switch assignments (change from man-to-man to switching coverage)

How it works

• Guard Calls (During possession): "ICE!" / "Blue!" / "Down!" → ICE coverage (force the handler away from the screen toward the baseline on a side ball screen).
• Guard Calls (During possession): "Weak!" or "Help weak!" → Helper rotates to weak-side, defend potential cutter
• Guard Calls (During possession): "Push!" → POA is being pressured, force/funnel the handler to a specific direction (a directional push; note this is distinct from "veer," which is a switch technique where a defender veers off to the next threat)
• Guard Calls (During possession): "Blitz!" → Second defender traps handler immediately (blitz coverage)
• Guard Calls (During possession): "Blue!" or "Green!" → Defensive color calls (team-specific, might mean specific coverage)

Bilingual terms

Related concepts