a valve control apparatus is provided for an internal combustion engine having a valve and a camshaft . the camshaft has an axis of rotation , a first lobe and a second lobe adjacent to the first lobe . the second lobe is angularly spaced - apart about the axis from the first lobe . the apparatus includes a follower operatively engagable with the camshaft and the valve . the follower has a first operational mode where the first lobe operatively engages the follower on each revolution of the camshaft to open the valve a first time on each revolution . there is a mechanism for selectively putting the follower in a second operational mode where the second lobe operatively engages the follower to open the valve a second time on each revolution of the camshaft . the mechanism puts the follower in the second operational mode on each revolution of the camshaft before the second lobe is fully aligned with the follower . the mechanism returns the follower to the first mode after the valve is opened by the second lobe and before the first lobe fully operatively engages the follower . maximum opening and closing of the valve by the first lobe is thereby unaffected when the mechanism selectively puts the follower in the second operational mode .