Our online defensive Playbook provides members with videos and notes to help our players develop a high-level understanding of the program-wide defensive philosophies and schemes.
Packline Defense
A fan scheme, man-2-man formation, the Packline Defense is designed to deny offensive middle penetration (OMP), post play, and force low percentage, mid-range contested shots.
Keys to the Packline
The CORE strategy to this defense is keeping 5 defenders ball-side defending the ball-handler, gaps, and the help-line. This is KEY to denying offensive middle penetration (open driving lanes, passing/cutting lanes, and post play) and forcing either low-percentage contested shots or low-percentage pass to the weak side.
Sit on the strong hand: When the ball-handler has the ball in their strong hand (for example: a right-handed player on the right side of the court) we defend in a squared-up stance, applying pressure but with enough space to stay in front and keep the ball-handler from driving with his strong hand.
Force to the weak hand: When the ball handler is on their weak side (for example: a right-handed player on the left side of the court), we defend in a stance that does not let him dribble back to his strong side and forces the ball-handler to either drive, pass or take a contested shot with their weak hand.
Sprint: when the ball is passed or a drive is initiated, it is a rule that all defenders must MOVE ON THE FLIGHT OF THE BALL (when the ball is in the air). If a defender is moving from guarding the ball or being one pass away from the ball to the helpline DO NOT SLIDE, TURN, AND SPRINT to the helpline.
Close-Out: ALL shots and passes are to be contested. Close-out with butt low and hands, high and active. Your goal is to force the ball-handler to pass it, force a contested shot, and deny an easy drive.
Deny: we deny (but to the ball with active hands and feet) at ALL times when one passes away from the ball and when defending the low post. We deny BEHIND the Packline unless the player you are guarding has been identified as a shooting threat.
Communication: because this is a fast-paced defense with an overload on the ball side requiring lots of rotations and ball pressure, it is IMPORTANT that all players communicate during every possession to keep the defense from breaking down.
Be Vocal: defense is actually more about mental pressure than physical pressure when it comes to forcing turnovers and low-percentage scoring opportunities. Being vocal and talking on defense and talking a little trash (not the kind that will get you a technical) to the guy you are guarding is key to applying mental pressure (getting in your opponent's head).
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