Using Denial & Pack Line Principles to Build a Hybrid Defense

with Chris Jans,
Mississippi State Head Men's Coach;
New Mexico State University Head Coach from 2017 to 2022;
4x WAC Regular Season Champions;
3x WAC Tournament Champions;
3x Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Coach of the Year (2018-2020);
Bowling Green Head Coach from 2014 to 2015;
Wichita State Assistant from 2015 to 2017;
Illinois State Assistant from 2004 to 2007;
Chipola College Head Coach from 2003 to 2004;
2004 Panhandle Regular Season Champions;
Howard College Head Coach from 2001 to 2003;
Idaho Assistant Coach from 1999 to 2001;
Independence Community College Head Coach from 1998 to 1999;
Kirkwood Community College from 1996 to 1998;
1998 NJCAA D-II National Champions;
1998 NJCAA D-II Coach of the Year;
2x ICCAC Regular Season Champions (1997, 1998);
Played college basketball for Loras College

Well known for his tough teams and great defense, Chris Jans opens up his defensive playbook to give you the nuts and bolts of his "hybrid" man-to-man defense! In this video, you will get an overview of Jans' defense, defensive rotations & positioning, demonstration of different traps, and a look at the Shell Drill that reinforces all concepts of the defense.

Defensive Overview

To begin the presentation, Coach Jans explains the evolution of his defensive philosophy and how he has developed this hybrid pack line/denial defense. He covers all areas of the court and how he has incorporated different principles to create this style of defense, including when to deny and when to influence, how to guard the post, weak side positioning, and more.

Coaching cues and nuggets are shared on how to guard the ball and how to get players to recognize where to be at in their gaps in relation to the ball. Jans explains how he tracks things during practice to ensures his players play hard and do the things that the coaches emphasize. A yellow sheet is kept during every practice that keeps track of their defensive principles and rates players on their effort and performance.

Defensive Rotations & Shell Drill

Next, Coach Jans demonstrates different rotations within the defense and various scramble scenarios that will occur. Rotations for baseline drives with an empty post and occupied post are shown, as well as how to deal with middle drives into the gaps.

A great Shell Drill is demonstrated that gets players rotating and scrambling, working on all aspects and scenarios of the defense. Jans details different ways to trap the post and the rotations out of the traps. Traps are shown coming from various areas of the court and even how to trap based on personnel. After explaining the traps, Coach Jans shows how to incorporate them into the Shell Drill.

Q&A

To end the video, Coach Jans opens the floor to questions from the audience. During this segment, he also shows how to trap on the perimeter and when you might want to use this during a game. To put a cherry on top, Jans shows one last drill that works on closing out, jumping to the ball, and contesting backdoor cuts.

This is a great video for anyone looking to add to their defensive philosophy and give their team an extra advantage to win!

71 minutes. 2022.