Packing Rate
Packing counts how many defenders stood between the ball's starting point and its destination, so a short pass through a crowded midfield can outscore a long switch.
What it means
The metric values the removal of opponents rather than the distance covered, which neither a progressive-pass count nor a zone change measures well.
Why it matters
It captures the value of a short penetrative pass, which is otherwise invisible in metrics built only on distance or territory.
Where it is used
Penetration analysis and the evaluation of short passing in congested areas.
Where it misleads
Taking opponents out of play is valuable only if the receiver exploits the space, so a large packing value can accompany an action that produced nothing. The counting also depends on positional data.
Key points
- It values removal of opponents, not distance covered.
- It requires positional data to compute.
- A high value can accompany an action nobody exploited.
- Pair it with expected threat to check whether the space was used.
- It favours actions in congested areas, which is the point.
- Report it with the progressive-pass count, not instead of it.
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