How to Beat a Pack Line Defense: Spacing, Patience, and Offensive Counters
Setup
Use 4-out, 1-in or 5-out formations to stretch the defense.
Corner spacing is critical—plant shooters deep to keep help defenders honest.
Keep your post player opposite the ball, either in the dunker spot or short corner.
Players should be spaced 15–18 feet apart to prevent gap help from collapsing effectively.
Execution
Initiate with ball reversal
Swing the ball side-to-side at least once before attacking. Reversals shift the help and weaken rotations.Drive to draw help, not just score
Look to collapse the pack, then kick or skip to the second side.Use ghost screens or flare screens
These create confusion and force defenders out of the pack without clogging the lane.Relocate after every pass
Movement creates indecision. As help shifts, replace spacing and attack again.
Key Coaching Points
“Move the defense first.” Don’t attack early—force help to commit, then go.
“Drive to kick, not just to finish.” Eyes up, read the help, find the open man.
“Use your skip passes.” Weak side is where the best shots live.
“Space wide, stay wide.” Collapsing the floor makes their job easier.
“Attack off the second side.” First side draws attention; the second side exploits it.
Why Spacing and Patience Beat the Pack Line Defense
The Pack Line defense thrives on cutting off penetration and walling up the paint. Originating from Dick Bennett’s philosophy and refined by Tony Bennett at Virginia, this system dares opponents to beat it with perimeter discipline, ball reversals, and patience—not isolation or quick shots.
The Core of the Pack Line
A tight 16-17 foot shell around the paint
One defender pressures the ball; the rest sink into help position
Middle is shaded deliberately—drives are funneled into congestion
Shot contests come late but strong; the system prioritizes tough twos over rotations
Why Most Teams Struggle
When teams try to beat the Pack Line with early shots or over-dribbling, they play right into its hands. Help defenders are already in position, and drives result in poor-angle layups or kick-outs with no flow.
To win, you need to:
Move the defense horizontally
Shift the help before attacking
Make defenders choose between the paint and the perimeter
Tactical Breakdown
1. Ball Reversal Unlocks Gaps
The Pack Line can guard one side of the floor well—but not two. When you reverse the ball:
Help-side defenders must close out long
Closeouts become rushed and late
Gaps open up on the second side for clean drives or inside feeds
Coaches should emphasize early swing + second-side attack. That’s where the breakdowns happen.
2. Driving to Collapse, Not Just Score
Driving into the Pack Line without a plan is a mistake. But when you drive to draw two defenders, the rest of the floor opens up.
Teach players to:
Drive with vision—look to collapse help and kick
Jump stop, pivot, and pass when the lane closes
Loop off-ball players behind drives to keep movement alive
3. Skip Passes & Shooting Windows
The Pack Line loads up strong side. If you skip the ball opposite:
Closeouts become longer and more desperate
Shooters have time to get set
Defenders are forced to recover over distance
Key Concept: Move it before they recover. Shot quality improves on each reversal.
4. Ghost Screens and Flares
Because the Pack Line sits in, ball screens don’t always create the space you'd expect. But ghost screens—where the screener slips early—and flare screens off the ball can:
Pull help defenders out of their spots
Create short closeouts or miscommunication
Lead to catch-and-shoot threes or quick drives
Ghost → Swing → Attack is a reliable pattern against sagging defenses.
5. Second-Action Scoring
The best possessions versus the Pack Line often look like this:
Swing to second side
Drive the closeout
Kick or dump to short corner
Re-screen or relocate
Score off rotation
It’s not about one great move—it’s about two or three simple actions in a row. Defenses can't stay perfect for 24 seconds if you're playing with poise.
Drills to Prepare for Pack Line Defenses
1. Drive + Kick + Relocate Drill
Teaches how to space after penetration and swing to the next threat.
2. Swing + Skip + Shot Drill
Simulates a strong-side load followed by a reversal and shot read.
3. Ghost Screen + Second Side Attack
Work on fake ball screen ➝ slip ➝ swing ➝ drive. Forces help to rotate and opens gaps.
4. Shell Drill vs. Pack Line Rules
Train your offense against live defenders committed to Pack Line principles. Challenge your team to create real advantages using movement, patience, and spacing.
Summary: Smart Offense Wins
Beating the Pack Line isn’t about being faster or stronger—it’s about being smarter.
Space wide
Move the ball
Be patient
Hit the weak side
Drive the closeout
Repeat
When players understand these principles and stay committed to them, even the most disciplined defenses begin to break down.
