pack line

Virginia Post Double

Virginia is one of the best in college basketball at doubling the post. Their pack line defense allows them to have easier rotations and make relief from the double team nearly impossible. Here are a few clips along with some teaching points of what they look to do.

A FEW KEY POINTS

  1. The double team can come from any position. Many teams will designate a certain position to go double, while others will base it off of scouting and double off of a non-shooter.

  2. The double team will always go trap on the HIGH side and take away the middle and cross court passes. The on-ball post defender will defend the LOW side and take away the baseline.

  3. Any STRONG side defenders will stay with their man. Some coaches will allow these players to dig on the post, but more often these players will face guard their man to take away any easy inside out passes to the same side of the floor.

  4. The weak side defenders will rotate into the HIGH HOLE & LOW HOLE.

  5. HIGH HOLE will closeout to any shooter that receives a pass from the post player

  6. LOW HOLE will take away any cutters to the rim.

  7. The double team remains until the ball handler DRIBBLES or PASSES, at which time the players rotate back to their original assignments.

Here is an example of high hole and low hole positioning.

Here is an example of high hole and low hole positioning.

The double team is effective in creating chaos, but the real magic happens when the post player tries to make a play out of it. As this is happening, the defenders are already rotating back to their assignments, baiting the post player to make a pass. This creates a lot of turnovers and contested shots.

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#DefenseWeek - 2 v 2 Fight For Vision

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2 v 2 FIGHT FOR VISION

2 v 2 Fight for Vision is a great drill to train players to see ball & man while being in a constant state of relocation & movement.  As you can see from the diagram below, there are 4 progressions you can go through to work on various phases of defense.  

To start out, have a coach or manager remain stationary at a spot with the ball.  Give the offensive players freedom to cut whenever they want.  Your defenders must find a way to "fight for vision" the entire time.  This drill will help your players awareness as they relocate constantly.  Read the descriptions in the diagram to get a better feel for how the drill works.

TEACHING POINTS

  1. Commit to proper positioning on the floor.  Always be in great GAP and help position.
  2. Make sure that defenders head is always on a swivel, fighting for vision to see ball and man.
  3. Focus on their communication with each other.  Vision is often times strengthened when our other senses (such as hearing) are stimulated. 
  4. Urge the offensive players to make hard cuts and to make it difficult for the defense.  The harder the offense works, the better the defense will become.

Follow along & contribute your insights on Twitter using the hashtag #DefenseWeek!

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#DefenseWeek - Man in the Middle Closeouts

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MAN IN THE MIDDLE CLOSEOUTS

This is a simple closeout drill that not only focuses on proper closeouts and on-ball defense, but it also allows offensive players an opportunity to focus on ball security and passing.  

The drill begins with 2 passing the ball to 1.  x1 immediately closes out to 1 as if he were a shooter.  In our pack line defense we always want our players to closeout with an angle to take away a baseline drive.  After x1 traces the ball and practices jumping up/back, 1 will pass the ball to 2 and then become the "new x1."  He will proceed to closeout to 2 and the rotation will continue as such.  Make sure to rotate your players from right wing, to top, to left wing, so that they get an opportunity to practice at various spots.  Below are some teaching points and a diagram of the drill.

TEACHING POINTS

  1. Sprint to closeout into 3-4 short, choppy steps.
  2. Closeout with angle to take away baseline drive.  
  3. Make sure to have high hands.  One or two hands is up to you as a coach.
  4. Keep legs loaded; ready to move and explode on dribble penetration.
  5. Encourage offensive players to be strong with the ball and make game like passes.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS

  1. Perform each skill at game speed.
  2. Expect lots of communication & voice pressure.
  3. Practice from different spots on the floor (corners, wings, top).

Make sure to follow @CoachWingreen & #DefenseWeek on Twitter to see various insights and drills of our pack line defense!