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ICYMI: Last week, we concluded our February look at switching defenses by highlighting Fenerbahçe’s “Front & High Post Deny” strategy to protect a post mismatch. Read the newsletter HERE.

This Week at a Glance:

🔒 SG Plus Content: Defending the Spain Ballscreen - Hedge & X-Out​

🎧 Slappin' Glass Podcast: Andrea Trinchieri​

🥇 Best of the Week: Peja & Single Flip + 🎁 Andrej Lemanis

📚 Interesting Reads: Nervous System Regulation

✍️ 2026 NABC Convention! Sign Up HERE.

Defending the Spain Ballscreen

Basketball is a living, breathing organism. As soon as an action becomes common across the sport, coaches begin finding ways to punch back with counters. Then come counters to the counters. This constant back-and-forth, strategy and adjustment, is one of the things we love most about the game, and something we’re always excited to document here at Slappin’ Glass.

Today’s breakdown revisits a concept we’ve covered before: defending a Spain PNR with a Hedge & X-Out coverage. But as with everything in basketball, the story doesn’t end with the initial solution.

We'll look at this strategy through three lenses:

1. We will revisit the base coverage and how the hedge and x-out can neutralize the action.
2. We will explore how offenses have begun adjusting their spacing and alignment to attack the coverage.
3. We'll look at how defenses are now tweaking their rotations and positioning to stay ahead of the offense.

It’s a great example of the chess-match nature of coaching, where each adjustment invites another, and a reminder that even familiar actions like Spain PNR continue to evolve. Considering how frequently many teams run Spain, sometimes multiple times a game, having answers not just for the base action but also its counters can make a huge difference late in games and late in the season.

Today we’re excited to bring you an updated look at defending Spain PNR with the Hedge & X-Out coverage.

Hedge & X-Out

The "Spanish Pick and Roll", also referred to as a "Stack Ballscreen", has undoubtedly emerged as one of the most challenging offensive actions to defend in today's game...

Defending it requires a high level of communication and coordination between the three defenders involved in the action. Any misstep along the way can quickly lead to an open shot or a rim finish.

The beauty of the Spain ballscreen lies in the pressure it puts on a defense to solve two problems at once: defending the ballscreen while also accounting for the stack or back screener behind it. Several years ago, we had a great conversation with St. Louis Head Coach Josh Schertz on this exact topic, discussing strategies ranging from fighting the big under the stack screen to disrupting the stack screener with physicality.

Given the challenges this action presents, a number of defensive schemes have emerged in an effort to neutralize the Spain PNR. Approaches like guard-to-guard switching or triple switching can and do provide solutions, but like any coverage, they bring their own vulnerabilities and invite counters from the offense.

Zooming In: For example, against a guard-to-guard switch, the stack screener can simply slip to the rim rather than popping to the top, punishing the mismatch created by the switch.

But over the last several years, one defensive strategy has begun to stand above the rest. While not immune to the action, it offers a level of defensive clarity that strikes directly at the heart of the Spain PNR.

So, what is it?

Simply put, the Hedge & X-Out coverage begins with an aggressive on-ball defense. The defensive big hedges the ballscreen, disrupting the ballhandler and eliminating the effectiveness of the stack screen. Meanwhile, the defender of the stack screener focuses on controlling the roll until the big can recover back to their matchup.

From there, the corners become active participants in the coverage. If the stack screener pops out to their side, the corner defender automatically executes an x-out, allowing the stack defender to switch out to the corner. Here’s an example:

Zooming In: What this strategy does particularly well is prevent the stack screener from exploiting the hedge with an early pop once the coverage is recognized. Defenses become vulnerable when the stack defender leaves the paint to track that early pop to the 45, exposing the rim and putting the hedging big in a difficult recovery situation.

Instead, this coverage keeps the stack defender anchored in the paint while the corner automatically x-outs on the pass to the 45. The stack defender then rotates out to the corner, maintaining protection at the rim while still contesting the perimeter.

The Hedge & X-Out provides clarity in what can often be an ambiguous defensive moment. That clarity allows the defense to stay aggressive on the ball while maintaining coordinated rotations behind the play.

While the rotation may appear complex because multiple defenders are in motion, each individual decision is actually quite simple.

For the big and the on-ball defender, it’s a hedge-and-recover coverage they already know.
For the corner defenders, the rotation only occurs if the popping screener comes to their side.
For the low man, after briefly tagging the roll, the job is simply to read where the guard pops and close out accordingly to complete the x-out.

By giving each defender a clear responsibility, the coverage allows players to execute with confidence and speed.

Zooming In: Clear responsibilities also build trust across the defense. With that trust comes the freedom to play more aggressively and anticipate, both at the point of attack and in anticipating the release pass, allowing defenders to jump passing lanes and disrupt the offense before the next advantage can form.

Adaptable X-Outs

Of course, coaches are smart. And once hedge coverage began to gain traction, offenses quickly started searching for ways to counter it.

Rather than releasing behind the ballscreen, the stack screener can pop to the strongside, creating an early release pass against the hedge. This adjustment shifts the floor balance and creates a single-side tag behind the roll, placing the opposite corner defender in a difficult position, momentarily responsible for both the roller and the shooter.

But one of the strengths of the Hedge & X-Out coverage is that, regardless of the timing or direction of the stack screener’s movement, the stack defender remains committed to their primary responsibility: controlling the roll.

From there, the responsibility of the stack screener shifts to either corner. Each corner defender must read the action as it develops and be prepared to react accordingly. If the stack screener pops out to their side, they must become proactive and prepare to switch out on the pass, initiating the x-out rotation.

Zooming In: Demonstrated above is a great example of the coverage reacting seamlessly to the stack screener popping out late and randomly to a side. Therefore, the coverage can adapt quickly and respond in real-time, independent of when or where the stack screener pops out.

Vertical Pops

With the clarity this coverage provides, and defenses able to execute the rotations with confidence, offenses once again began searching for adjustments.

One change has been the alignment of the stack screen itself. Rather than setting the stack below the free throw line, offenses have begun lifting it higher, above the free throw line, even approaching the three-point line. This can create hesitation for the stack defender, who must decide whether to rise with the screener or remain anchored at the rim. Stepping up risks opening valuable space behind the defense and exposing the coverage to the lob over the top.

A second adjustment targets the x-out rotation. By leaking the stack screener out to either side, offenses shorten the distance of the rotation. If the corner defender is responsible for taking the first pass, a pop to the 45 dramatically reduces the ground the defense must cover.

Recognizing this, offenses have increasingly emphasized popping directly out(vertical) to the perimeter, rather than drifting to the side:

Zooming In: In the clip above you can see both elements of the adjusted Spain PNR: the high stack and the vertical pop. Notice how the alignment creates hesitation between the low man and the corner defender over who is responsible for protecting the lob. At the same time, the vertical pop stretches the rotation and forces an extremely long closeout.

Zooming In 2.0: For this counter to truly stress the defense, the ballhandler must attempt to string out the hedge of the big. By stretching the action outside of the middle third, the guard creates the space needed for the stack screener to pop straight out behind the roll.

And the principle is simple:

The straighter the pop, the longer the closeout.

How Does the Coverage Counter?

The natural next question becomes: how does the defense respond to the high stack and vertical pop? What adjustments allow the coverage to still protect the rim, shorten the x-out, and keep the ball from stretching the defense outside the middle third?

👉 Become an SG+ member to unlock the rest of this newsletter, the full breakdown, and access to our entire film library.

Together with NABC

Develop as a coach and grow as a leader at the 2026 NABC Convention!

Join coaches from all levels of the sport April 2-6 in Indianapolis for the industry’s premier professional development and networking event. The NABC Convention features five days of X&O clinics, educational sessions, award ceremonies, division-specific meetings, networking receptions and more – all alongside college basketball’s championship stage in Indianapolis!

If you’re a basketball coach, you belong at the NABC Convention! Learn more and register now at nabc.com/convention.

🎙 Andrea Trinchieri Returns! On Defensive Toggles, Developing an In-Game Lens, and Thoughts on Offensive Rebounding

In this episode we welcome back one of Europe’s most thoughtful and dynamic coaching voices, Andrea Trinchieri. Coach Trinchieri returns for a wide-ranging conversation on defensive identity, in-game coaching, leadership evolution, and the modern coach–player relationship.

With most teams deep into the season, the discussion begins around identity — and whether it’s ever truly fixed. Coach Trinchieri frames the basketball season as evolution, requiring adaptability, clarity of core values, and defensive systems that can toggle aggression without overhauling structure. From simplifying coverage to managing player psychology, this episode dives into the balance between tactical precision and human connection.

At its core, this episode centers on a driving question:

For coaches seeking insight into defensive structure, in-game management, leadership philosophy, and sustainable team identity, this conversation delivers a masterclass in both strategy and humanity.

What You’ll Learn

• How to build a defensive identity that can toggle aggression without sacrificing clarity
• Why offensive involvement fuels defensive commitment
• A framework for balancing scouting preparation with non-negotiable core values
• How to address early-game energy issues without overreacting
• A layered approach to rebounding: one-on-one battles, neutral rebounds, and effort incentives
• When tagging principles are most effective — and when they are not
• How defining roles creates hierarchy, chemistry, and clarity
• Why long-term coaching success should be measured by player evolution, not public opinion

Listen to the entire episode below...

Together with Hudl

Built for coaches who want clarity, not complexity.

If you’re already using tools like Instat or Sportscode, you know how powerful they can be. Hudl Academy is designed to help coaches get more out of the technology they already have, and confidently add what they don’t.

The Hudl Analyst Academy walks coaches through Instat, Sportscode, and the broader Hudl ecosystem, with clear, practical instruction on film workflow, tagging, breakdowns, and analysis that actually translate to winning.

​Learn more about Hudl and their variety of products or subscribers to Slappin' Glass can also directly email Winston Jones of Hudl at winston.jones@hudl.com.

Tactical

📺 UCLA Entry - Peja • Turnout​

"Off the UCLA Entry, turning the guard directly into a Peja action to exiting a shooter off a turnout screen."

✚ Pair With: Another variation of RIP screening a guard into a stacked Peja action with one guard running into the ball and another receiving a veer screen.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Our defensive breakdown on defending off ball screening with on Passer Stunts and Next Defense.

📺 Single Flip - Hammer Screens​

"Stagger Hammer screening a shooter off the Single Flip entry into a step up screen."

✚ Pair With: A Single Flip entry resulting in the shooter curling back to rim for a turnout twirl screen.

✚ SG Archives: Andrej Lemanis' Single Away Series with the Brisbane Bullets

🔒 SG Plus Content: Xavi Pascual's off ball screening and adjustment techiques.

Got a coaching question? Ask us.

Our Monthly Mailbag on YouTube is your chance to bring real coaching questions directly into the Slappin’ Glass conversation.

Each month, we select and break down questions from coaches across the game—covering tactics, team concepts, leadership, podcast topics, and anything else you want us to dig into.

📩 Submit your Mailbag questions HERE, and keep an eye out for the next Mailbag episode dropping early February on YouTube.

Interesting Reads

📚 The Forgotten Larry Bird Punch That Almost Changed Everything​

How a remarkable, rarely discussed game set the course of Bird’s career—and gave rise to March Madness itself
​

📚 Protocol Cards For Nervous System Regulation​

Explore evidence-backed practices for instant nervous system regulation.

📚 A Project of One's Own​

There is something special about working on a project of your own. I wouldn't say exactly that you're happier. A better word would be excited, or engaged. You're happy when things are going well, but often they aren't.

Quote of the Week

Thank you for reading and have a great week coaching,

Dan, Pat, and Eric

info@slappinglass.com