The following are Part II of my notes from Jim Boone's lecture on Pack Line Pressure Defense at last week's TABC Coaching Clinic in San Antonio. Jim has been a life-long friend and a special member of my coaching circle. He is absolutely one of the best teachers around and an excellent clinician.
3 PACK LINE KEYS:
1. Pressure on the Basketball (based on ability/athleticism)
CLOSEOUTS
“Kobe” - (Driver/Shooter) — elbows bent...finger touch closeness
“Rondo” - (Driver) — “Sometimes not to guard is to guard.”
“Curry” - (Dead 3)
Closeouts are about seeking leverage
Doesn’t like to switch — wants to maintain the integrity of the match-up
JB: “We are an eye-to-eye” program.”
Utilize echo yells
2. Already in Help
Chuck Daly: “Defense can’t guard two things in a row.”
Guarding non-ball defender
◄2 feet in Pack
◄Closer to the ball than your man
◄See ‘em both
TP: Defend with near arm, near leg (no open stance)
2/2 Full Court — Seal the gap
TP: Get off and get ahead
Tates Locke “Rule of Two”
◄2 minutes to Teach a Drill
◄2 days to Learn the Skill
◄2 months to make it a Habit.
JB doesn’t use a whistle in practice...wants player to be able to lock into his voice.
3. Can’t keep them from getting shots but can influence where those shots come from.
Things we can control:
◄Conversion Defense
◄Defensive Rebounding
◄Low Post Defense
JB likes to “Red” the post — double big to big
All players are denied pass inside of 16’
JB: “We don’t get to the mid-line on help because we don’t deny.”
Don’t concede post feed.
Side Ball Screen (Outer Third)
“Body Up” - make ball use screen
“Body In”
Screen Defender: Hand on hip
2 Steps Thru
High Ball Screen—Level/Show
JB: “If I was a high school coach I’d have an alternate defense for playing from behind.”
Al McGuire: Greatest emotion is winning
2nd Greatest emotion is losing
Winning goes to the head
Losing goes to the heart
Must learn to move forward
