At high engine speed

The rocker arm oil control solenoid is turned on by the PCM. Oil pressure from the rocker arm control solenoid enters into the intake secondary rocker arm via the rocker shaft, and it moves the VTEC switching piston in the intake secondary rocker arm. This causes the VTEC switching piston to slide into the primary rocker arm, locking the primary and secondary rocker arms together. Both intake rocker arms are lifted by the high lift cam lobe.

Fig 1: VTEC System Operation Diagram - High Engine Speed

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.