Pack Line Modifications to Stop the Pick-and-Roll

with Matt Woodley,
Wake Forest University Assistant Coach;
Drake University Assistant Coach from 2018 to 2020;
University of Pittsburgh Assistant Coach 2017 to 2018;
Iowa Energy (NBADL) Head Coach from 2016 to 2017;
Iowa Energy Assistant Coach from 2014 to 2016;
Truman State Head Coach from 2011 to 2014;
Waukee HS (IA) Head Coach from 2009 to 2011;
2011 CIML Conference Champions;
Washington State Assistant Coach from 2006 to 2009 (with Tony Bennett);
2008 Sweet Sixteen;
Middle Tennessee State Assistant Coach from 2006 to 2006;
University of Denver Assistant Coach from 2001 to 2004;
Wayne State Graduate Assistant Coach from 2000 to 2001;
played college basketball for Drake University

The game of basketball is constantly evolving. The importance of ball screens and the new analytics of shot selection are influencing the way offense is being played. To keep pace with the change, you need to see how defenses at the professional level are adapting to this new era of basketball.

Coach Matt Woodley has worked with one of the top defensive minds in the college game today in Tony Bennett. He is now tailoring his defensive concepts to work at even the highest levels of competition in the NBA Development League. This video will give you an extensive look into the defensive principles for shutting down ball screens and forcing your opponent into low-efficiency shots. From defensive fundamentals to strategies defending numerous situations, you will learn everything you need for defending the pick & roll at an elite level.

Through on-court instruction and detailed classroom teaching, Coach Woodley breaks down all the "whys" and "hows" necessary to stop the ball screen. He covers every detail in this video, including his general defensive philosophy, individual responsibilities in pick & roll coverage, defensive non-negotiables, common problems, unique ball screen situations and more.

Breakdown Drills

14 drills will develop the player fundamentals and team concepts needed to defend ball screens. These drills offer an extensive progression for you to use throughout the season to develop your defenders. Great on-ball defenders are an important component to any pick & roll strategy. The Shadow Drill will teach your players how to eliminate false steps and have an explosive first movement to cut off dribble penetration. The Guard the Ball on the Wing drill will teach your players how to align themselves in a "no middle" stance to control the dribbler and force the ball into the corners. Drills increase in complexity from 1-on-1 up to 4-on-4 concepts.

A series of seven 2-on-2 drills will help your players learn how to close out to prevent 3-point shot attempts, jump into help position, and defend ball screens from the middle and side of the floor. The Icing Breakdown drill incorporates multiple concepts in forcing the ball away from the screen towards the baseline. Your players can use this drill to focus on drop coverage, tagging the roller as a help defender, and how to pursue the dribbler if you get caught in the ball screen.

Stopping the Side Pick & Roll

Coach Woodley goes in-depth on how to utilize the Ice concept to keep the ball out of the middle of the floor versus side ball screens. By breaking down every role through multiple 5-on-5 situations, you will learn the ins and outs of going down and under against pick & rolls. Players will learn how to communicate coverages and responsibilities throughout the possession to maintain coordination with one another.

Against a spread alignment, you will learn how to defend against the snake dribble and "Gretzky" situation when your post has to defend the dribbler along the baseline. Learn what needs to be emphasized in order to be successful in ball screen defense. Coach Woodley constantly points out essential teaching concepts such as preventing direct passes and diagnoses common problems in pick & roll coverage such as committing three defenders to the ball. You'll also see how to adjust your tactics with the "Slide" technique when opponents use a "Snug" pick & roll to stretch offensive spacing to its most extreme.

Middle Pick & Roll

See how you can maintain a consistent philosophy in your defensive strategies while moving to different locations on the floor. With the "Weak" concept, your players will use similar techniques by going down and under ball screens. Coach Woodley shows you how to force the dribbler into bad position by denying the next available passes with the 100 Stance. Learn the responsibilities of the "low man" to read the play and tag the roller, while still preventing their match-up from getting an open shot. You will see how you can successfully defend variations of the basic middle pick & roll, such as re-screens and step-up ball screens.

Defending Situations

After you've learned the core concepts for defending ball screens from any location on the floor, Woodley demonstrates advanced tactics for shutting down seven common game situations. Find out how you can switch ball screens in late clock situations without putting your players into mismatch disadvantages. Lock up your opponent's center in the Horns alignment to take away their most dangerous low post threat. Learn how to advanced-switch last possession ball screens to keep your posts down low for rim protection. You'll also see how you can force the ball out of a great player's hands and even force turnovers with the "Alert" defensive strategy.

This video course will give you all of the cutting-edge concepts being used at the highest levels of basketball to shut down pick & roll offenses.

158 minutes (2 videos). 2017.