Using splits and rip cuts can be an effective way to exploit the post defense teaching points of Pack Line man-to-man defenses. Pack Line defenses treat entries into the post box (see diagram below) as a defensive disaster. The immediate response is to get the ball out of the post. They accomplish this using two...
Using skip and “relay” passes can be an effective way to exploit the helping nature of Pack Line man-to-man defenses. Pack Line defenses are all about helping early and building a wall around the paint. This can be troublesome for teams who are overly reliant on dribble penetration to create offense. While the Pack Line’s...
First in a series of pointers to help coaches find offense against the increasingly popular Pack Line style of man-to-man defense. The Pack Line Defense is all the rage at many levels of play. For several teams, facing a well-schooled Pack Line opponent can feel like a trip to the dentist. The defense can congest driving lanes and...
Pack Line Playbook: Defending single and double down screens within the Pack Line Defense using the “Lock and Trail” technique. The Pack Line style of defense features some unwaivering absolutes. There are specific rules and techniques that change little from game-to-game or opponent-to-opponent.The mindset is to do a few things and do them well. We will...
Video Playbook: Staggered Screens – A look across the basketball landscape at options and actions stemming from the staggered down screen. The staggered down screen is a staple in many motion offenses across the basketball landscape. In this video playbook we will look at college, NBA and International teams using the staggered down screen. Staggered Screens:...
No matter what type of basketball you prefer to watch, the NCAA Tournament has it. Here’s who to watch based on style of play. The beauty of the NCAA Tournament is that it has something to offer for everyone. Upsets, check. Blue-bloods, check. Great defense, check. Creative plays, check. Whatever you are looking for, the tournament...
Six gap creating cuts to create and exploit enlarged gap space for dribble penetration. If there is one offensive concept worth the risk of “taking too far” it would be the creation of space. With the proliferation of pack line style defenses at the lower levels, maintaining and creating space is vital in allowing for penetration....
The Passes Per Game statistic has been espoused by prominent coaches of late, but is it a worthwhile indicator? The Philadelphia 76ers had a breakout season. A healthy Joel Embiid and the addition of Ben Simmons helped the famed “Process” take a huge step towards fulfillment. The Sixers made the playoffs, won a series and...
A look at single gaps and spacing issues that can arise in five-out alignments. Five-out alignments are common in all levels of basketball. While the five-out does open the lane and can be effective in pulling defenses away from the rim, it does have it’s drawbacks. The most notable drawback being the predominance of single...
First in a series on Cognitive Biases and how they can impact our decision making as basketball coaches. Here’s how Survivorship Bias works. Read more on Cognitive Biases and how they relate to coaching: Action Bias Pitfalls The Impact of Optimism Bias Avoiding Outcome Bias The Perils of Confirmation Bias Defeating Choice-Supportive Bias Simply put, Cognitive...