Inside the Defensive Playbook: Pick-and-Roll Tactical Adjustments Impact the External and Internal Loads During Small-Sided Games in Female Basketball Players.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effect of playing different pick-and-roll (PnR) defensive tactical options during small-sided games (SSGs) on external and internal loads in female basketball players.

Methods: Twelve female basketball players (age 28 [2] y; stature 175 [6] cm; body mass 65 [7] kg; playing experience 18 [4] y) belonging to a team competing in the Lithuanian second division were recruited for this study. Across 3 experimental sessions and in a randomized order, players performed 3 SSGs sharing the same features but using 3 defensive strategies on the middle PnR action: Switch, Trap, and Drop.