A valve drive system (1) having a support element (2) and a switchable cam follower (3) that is linked on this support element in an articulated way is provided. The cam follower (3) is made from an outer lever (4) between whose arms (5) runs an inner lever (6), wherein at least the outer lever (4) is provided on its top side (7) with a contact surface (8) for a lifting cam, n the inner lever (6) has, on a bottom side (9) on a first end (10), a contact (11) for a gas-exchange valve and at least on the other end (12) two side walls (13) that are spaced apart and in which extend opposing boreholes (14). The side walls (13) are bridged by a tubular axle piece (15) that sits in the boreholes (14) and in whose opening (16) run two diametrically opposed coupling pistons (17). The axle piece (15) sits between the side walls (13) in a cross borehole (18) of a head (19) of the support element (2), and in the region of the first end (10), the levers (4, 6) sit on a common swivel pin (20) and the arms (5) of the outer lever (4) have, on the other end (12), a catch surface (21) for the coupling pistons (17) that can be brought out from its opening (16) in engagement with the catch surface (21) section-wise in the coupled state, such that a large valve stroke is realized, and for decoupling, a comparatively smaller valve stroke is presented. The outer lever (4) is forced back by a restoring spring (22) from its pivot mode.