Pack line defense diagram
Pack line defense step by step
- 1
X1 pressures the ball and the other four sit inside the pack line. On the pass to the wing, X2 closes out and everyone else shifts toward the ball.
- 2
O2 drives baseline and gets a step on X2. X5 slides over from the weak side to stop the drive, and X3 drops to cover the basket.
- 3
The drive is stopped and O2 passes back out to O1. X1 closes out to the ball while X5 and X3 recover to their own players inside the pack line.
- 4
Everyone is back in position. The ball is guarded, the lane is packed, and the offense has to start over.
When to use the pack line defense
The pack line fits teams that face a lot of drivers and post players. With four defenders inside the line, there is always help in the lane, so it is hard to get to the rim.
It is also a good way for youth teams to play man-to-man without gambling. Players do not deny every pass, so they get beat backdoor less often and foul less on the perimeter.
The trade-off is outside shots. Defenders sit off their players when they are away from the ball, so a team that moves the ball well and makes threes can hurt it. The closeout is the key skill.
See also: Man to man defense
Pack line defense rules
The pack line is an imaginary arc about 16 feet from the basket, a few feet inside the 3-point line on most youth courts. Every defender who is not guarding the ball stays inside it.
The ball defender pressures the ball and takes away the baseline, so any drive goes toward the help in the middle. Help defenders stand in the gap between the ball and their own player, so they can stop a drive and still get back to their player on a pass.
On every pass, all five move. The new ball defender closes out under control with short, choppy steps and hands up, and everyone else jumps toward the ball and back inside the line.
Pack line responsibilities by position
Ball defender
Pressure the ball, stay an arm's length away, and take away the baseline drive so the ball goes toward your help. You can pressure hard because your teammates are behind you to help.
One pass away
Stay inside the pack line in the gap between the ball and your player. Be ready to step in on a drive, then get back out to your player if the ball is passed to them.
Two passes away (weak side)
Sink to the middle of the lane. You are the help on a baseline drive and the first defender to stop a cutter. Call out "help" so the ball defender knows you are there.
Post defender
Play a 3/4 front on the high side of the post when the ball is on the wing. When the ball goes to the corner, some coaches front the post and others stay behind or on the baseline side, so pick one and teach it. Weak-side help is behind you if the ball goes over the top.
Pack line defense drill: 4-on-4 shell
- Put four offensive players at the two slots and the two wings, with four defenders. Mark the pack line with cones or tape if it helps.
- Offense passes around the perimeter. On each pass, defenders move to their new spots and freeze on the catch so the coach can check that all three help defenders are inside the line.
- Let one offensive player drive on each catch. The nearest help defender stops the drive, the offense kicks it out, and everyone recovers.
- Play live 4-on-4. The offense can drive, cut, and shoot, and the defense needs three stops in a row to rotate out.
Coaching point Teach the closeout early and often. The pack line gives up space on the catch, so the defender has to sprint most of the way and then chop their feet so they don't fly past the shooter.
Common pack line defense mistakes
- Help defenders drifting outside the pack line to deny passes, which opens the lane.
- The ball defender backing off and giving the ball handler time to look for shots.
- Flying past the shooter on a closeout and giving up a drive.
- Helping on a drive and never recovering to your own player.
- Helpers standing flat on the same line as their player. Stay in the gap toward the ball.
Pack line vs. pressure man-to-man
Pressure man-to-man asks defenders one pass away to deny the pass. The pack line lets that pass happen and keeps those defenders inside the line to help on drives. Pressure defense forces more turnovers, and the pack line gives up fewer layups and backdoor cuts.
Pack line defense FAQ
What is the pack line defense in basketball?
It is a man-to-man defense where the ball is pressured and every other defender stays inside an imaginary line about 16 feet from the basket, so there is always help in the lane.
How far is the pack line from the basket?
Most coaches describe it as about 16 feet from the basket, which is a few feet inside the 3-point line.
What are the weaknesses of the pack line defense?
It can give up open threes to teams that pass well and shoot well, because help defenders start inside the line. Good closeouts are the answer.
Is the pack line good for youth basketball?
Yes, for teams that already know basic man-to-man. It teaches help defense and closeouts, and it keeps kids from getting beat backdoor by overplaying passes.