Concepts & Plays Versus A Box-And-1 Defense | Attacking Junk Defense
What happens when your opponent breaks out a Box-And-1 against you? For many teams, chaos ensues.
Players look at the coach, unsure of what to do. Coaches scramble for a solution to a defense they haven't prepared for.
Box-And-1's can be tricky. They are part man, part zone. They are designed to shut down your best player.
So what should you do? Keep calm and read on!
What Is A Box-And-1 Defense?
The Box-and-1 defense is structured with four defenders playing a zone in a box formation while one defender (the chaser) plays man-to-man against the opponent’s primary scoring threat. Here are the basic principles:
-
Four Defenders in a Box Formation:
Two players cover the low blocks (x5 & x4) near the basket.
Two players cover the free-throw line extended (x1 & x2), near the elbows.
These four defenders are responsible for contesting shots, protecting the paint, and stopping penetration.
When not on the ball, they are dropped back into help positions.
-
One Defender in Man-to-Man:
This player, called the chaser, (x3) follows the designated offensive threat everywhere on the court.
Their job is to deny passes, disrupt rhythm, and prevent easy shot attempts.
Why would your opponent play a Box-And-1 against you? Most likely, you have one outstanding player. They believe if they can limit that player, you will struggle to score.
The Box-And-1 can also mentally affect opposing teams. The player being chased often reacts in 1 of 2 ways:
They get frustrated and disengage
They get frustrated and start to force the action
The other 4 players are tempted to do things outside their normal roles.
If you don't have a plan for how to attack a Box-And-1, it can be the difference in winning and losing a big game.
So, what should you do?
4 Options For Attacking A Box-And-1
When it comes to attacking junk defenses, you have options:
-
Run your normal man to man offense - junk defenses are intended to make your players hesitant. One way to prevent this is to run your normal offense against it. While your offense may be designed to work against man to man, there should be actions that work against a box as well.
If you choose this route, devote some practice time to running your offense against a Box-And-1. There might be some slight tweaks you would use against a junk defense. For instance, instead of basket cutting, you might have players pause in the center of the box for a second, since that area is vulnerable.
-
Make it a 2-3 zone and run your zone offense - a second option is to put your star player on the baseline and have them run the baseline. You could have your forwards screen for them as they run.
This effectively turns the Box-And-1 into a 2-3. From there, you could run your normal zone offense and look to exploit the vulnerability in the middle of the box.
-
Run plays or a special offense - if you know you are going to see junk defense, it might be worth your time to work on some specific actions to generate great shots against it. If you can do so a couple times, many teams will come out of it.
These could be plays (see below) or continuity actions. Plays could be designed to free up your star player. Often these are on ball actions like hand offs or ball screens, as they can create confusion between the chaser and the players in the box. Another option are flare screens for your star, as they take them away from the box towards open space.
Or, you could use your star player as a screener. Using them as a screener can be particularly effective since their defender has been told not to help.
-
Play 4v4 - a third option is to play 4v4. Have your star player stand off towards half court or away from the action. Defending 4v4 is harder than defending 5v5. Your other 4 players now have more room to attack.
The downside of this strategy is that you are removing your best offensive player from your offensive attack, which is the goal of the Box-And-1.
3 Vulnerabilities Of A Box-And-1
As with any defense, the Box-And-1 has weaknesses. Here are 3:
-
High post/center of the box - no 1 player is responsible for mid & high post area. If the defense doesn’t react to a player positioned there (5), that player should be open for a pass.
Conversely, a player positioned there potentially draws attention from all 4 box defenders. This leaves other areas open.
-
Ball screens - in man to man defense, both the screener and the player using the screen are guarded. Against a Box-And-1, the player guarding the screener is often unguarded.
That allows the player coming off the screen to attack the paint, creating an advantage for the offense.
-
Slip screens for the star - a Box-And-1 is designed with 1 primary purpose - to limit your star player. Thus, the defense will be extremely focused on screening actions for your star player.
In this scenario, 2 down screens for the star, player 3. X1 shades out to help x3 as they fight through the screen and recover to the star.
This opens up a slip opportunity for player 3.
3 Highly Effective Plays Against A Box-And-1
Stack
Your star (3) and forward start on one block. Your other forward is on the opposite block.
Your point guard (1) enters the ball to the wing (2) on the star’s side.
Your forward pops (5) out to the corner.
The wing (2) immediately passes the ball to 5 in the corner.
2 immediately cuts into the gap created on the ball side.
1 fills the ball side wing.
5 looks to pass to 2 for a give and go layup.
If 2 isn’t open, they continue and screen across for player 4.
Player 4 curls to the basket to catch a pass for a layup.
Flash
This is a really effective play, especially if your “star” is an inside player.
Your point guard starts out top (1).
2 players are positioned on the wings (2 & 3).
A forward is at the high post (4).
Your star is positioned in the short corner (5).
1 passes to 2 then cuts thru to the ball side corner.
4 moves into the opening in the high post area and receives a pass from 2.
This causes x4 to step up towards 4. (If x4 doesn’t come cover 4, 4 should shoot).
On 4’s catch, 1 cuts behind x4 on the baseline.
4 looks to hit 1 on a cut to the basket for a layup.
14 Low
This play works well if your star is your point guard (1).
They bring the ball down, while the other 4 players position themselves along the baseline.
4 & 5 set pin screens for 2 & 3. 1 can enter the ball to either side. If the defense doesn’t react, this can result in an open 3.
If 2 isn’t open or isn’t a good shooter, your next look is inside.
The ball side forward (4) steps down to the short corner.
The weak side forward (5) flashes to the mid post. This creates a 2v1 against x5.
2 can enter the ball to either forward for a high percentage shot.
It’s A Gimmick For A Reason
There’s a reason teams don’t play Box-And-1 as their primary defense - because it has too many weaknesses.
Its effectiveness comes from its ability to catch teams off guard and create uncertainty.
Use the principles and plays above to prevent that from happening to you. If you do so, your opponent's defense will truly be “junk!”
|
|||
Facebook (145k Followers)
YouTube (152k Subscribers)
Twitter (33k Followers)
Q&A Forum
Podcasts