It seems like UVA has been under-the-radar the entire year. So when you are watching a UVA basketball game, you may hear the announcers refer to the "Packline Defense." But what exactly is the Packline defense that Virginia is always associated with? Click Here for a video of UVA's defense in action.
Once the ball handler passes the ball to another player, the on-ball defender will drop back into the pack and one of the players in the pack will attack the new ball handler. His close-out will consist of sprinting to the ball, stopping short, and raising his arms wide and high. Not only is it tough to drive to the hoop (because of the pack), but it's tough to get a good look at a 3 point shot because the player with the ball is always being harassed.
In theory, no one who is supposed to be in the pack should go beyond the 16 foot arc unless you are guarding the ball handler. However, there are occasions where you will see a pack defender leave the arc and guard the 3 point line.
It was created by Dick Bennett, former head basketball coach at Washington State and Wisconsin. It is now most famously used by his son, Tony Bennett, head coach of Virginia. UVA has used this defense to become one of the finest defensive teams in the nation over the last 5 years. Other coaches who use the defense are Chris Mack of Xavier and legendary high school coach Bob Hurley, Sr. and coaches Sean Miller, Tom Izzo and Pat Riley have been known to use pack line principles although, they do/did not officially use this defense.
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