Box Offense: High Screen and On-ball Screen
The Box Offense is always a good tactic for condensing the defence and pulling every player into the keyway. This can be very effective against defences that are in full denial as it provides the spaced need for the offense to move and gain possession easier.
The High Screen and On-ball Play looks to quickly move into an on-ball screen situation. As a quick hitter option the Box Offense High Screen and On-ball Play looks to overload one side of the floor before a number of players move towards the basket from the on-ball screen action so defenders are always engaged and less able to help guard the basket against the dribbler.
The play starts in the standard Box Offense formation. Guards are placed into the low post and Forwards to in the high posts.
Two (2) lifts up and over the high post (Four) to help release the player from tight individual defence.
One (1) makes a pass to Two (2).
Three (3) moves out to the long corner on the strong side of the floor.
Scoring Options:
- Four (4) can dive down the side of the keyway to receive a possible post entry pass from Two (2)
- Following this action Five (5) can flash to the high post area and if receiving a pass from Two (2) can initiate a High/Low action between the interior players
Four (4) screens away to release Five (5) from the player’s defender and also creates a lag in the ability of the defender to stay with the player. This is especially useful for keeping the defender constantly moving and always fighting to catch-up prior to the on-ball screen.
Five (5) cuts towards Two (2) preparing for the on-ball screen action.
Four (4) once Five (5) has clear screen, will lift to set an up screen for One (1).
This will be along cut to the basket with no help defence present as all players will be outside of the keyway and towards the strong side of the floor.
Scoring Options:
- Five (5) instead of making a straight cut to the on-ball position can curl to the basket and hold for an interior seal.
- After setting the screen for Five (5), Four (4) can dive to the basket
- One (1) on the cut to basket
One (1) once reaching the basket, continues to move along the base line into a mid-range position on the weak side of the floor.
Two (2) uses the on-ball screen set by Five (5) to attack the basket. In the High Screen and On-ball Screen Play the dribbler (One) may have the ability to each the basket for a lay-up. Nevertheless, it is still important for this player to practice shooting from the edge of the keyway.
As Two (2) moves off of the screen, Four (4) looks to move into the Pinch Post position. This should see Four’s defender pre-occupied with their movement so will not help defend the dribbler.
Once the screen has been set by Five (5), the player will roll to the basket.
Three (3) will lift up the side line and be a pressure release option should the play breakdown.
Scoring Options:
- Two (2) off of the on-ball screen
- Five (5) rolling to the basket following the setting of the screen
- Four (4) following pass from Two (2)
- One (1) following pass from Two (2)
- Three (3) for three-point shot or following pass can look for post entry pass into Five (5)
Remember the Box Offense formation can be used as a starting position for almost any other offense to help give offensive players room to create leads.
Related articles
Share this:
Coach Riches has been working within the sport, business and education industries for many years. During this time he has built an extensive number of formal and informal qualifications. A firm believer in training and development designed to help people reach their full potential, relevant o their needs and functional to their industry environment.