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Step 1
Know what the players running the pick and roll want to do. Are they hoping to get an open jumper for the player with the ball or does he want to drive to the basket? Is the player setting the pick going to pop out to take an open jumper or is he going to roll hard to the basket? By understanding what aspect of the pick and roll the offense wants to take advantage of the defense can know how to best defend the pick and roll.
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Step 2
Jump the ball handler. The player with the ball must be stopped. If the defender whose man is setting the pick does not step in front of him, he can either take an open shot or drive to the basket. When a player sets a pick, the player guarding him must step in the way of the ball handler.
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Step 3
Fight through the pick. The defender who is being picked cannot simply stand there and hope his teammate is able to stop the play. He must fight over the screen and get back in position to guard the player with the ball.
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Step 4
Get back in position. As the picked player returns to guard his man, the man who set the pick will either be popping out or rolling to the basket. The defender who jumped the ball handler must return to guard the player who set the pick.
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Step 5
Switch as a last resort to defend the pick and roll. If the picked player cannot fight over the screen, he must tell his teammates and call a switch. In this situation the players will stay with the man they are now closest to.
