What is a simple definition of boxing out in basketball
Boxing out, also referred to as blocking out, comprises action that occurs when an offensive or defensive player gets positioned between the basket and an adjacent opposing player to ultimately increase their own chances of gaining a rebound while at the same time, decreasing the rebound gathering probability for that same opposing player, particularly during a shot attempt.
Essentially, when an offensive player attempts a shot, especially a mid-range shot, three-point shot, or even free throw, one or more players of a particular team should try to box out one or more adjacent players of an opposing team.
What are basic boxing out instructions for a player
Generally speaking, to box out adequately, a player should initially have an inside position that is closest to the basket.
In other words, the boxing out player should be between the basket while the opposing player being boxed out is behind them.
Next, the boxing out player should get in an athletic stance with feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart, knees bent, back straight, head up, eyes forward, and arms that are typically extended away from the sides of the body.
The primary purpose of the athletic stance, in this case, is to help the player establish a solid base at a certain spot on the floor, which also makes it difficult for the opposition to move the player from that spot.
At the same time of the athletic stance, the player that is boxing out should be facing the basket as well, which helps that same player track where the ball would be located if a shot is missed.
Furthermore, while in the athletic stance and facing the basket, the player executing the box out action could use their leg strength to push the opposition further away from the basket and keep the opposing player behind them as long as possible.
From there, if a certain offensive player with possession of the ball tries a shot that does not go into the basket ring, then the player that is boxing out would typically have a higher chance of getting a rebound than the opposing player that is being boxed out.
Which basketball positions could benefit greatly from boxing out
Boxing out could be a great benefit for any particular basketball positions simply because it limits or prevents an opposing player from quickly and effectively gathering rebounds.
However, a primary role for the majority of post players such as the power forward or center is to gather rebounds.
Therefore, the ability to box out is almost certainly more important for post players when compared to perimeter players such as the point guard, shooting guard, or small forward.
The primary reason why it is highly essential for post players to box out and rebound is because those types of players are commonly the tallest players on the team with the largest wingspans.
Moreover, in most cases, post players will generally be around the basket as opposed to perimeter players.
To give brief examples of that, post players can set up near the low post area to receive a post entry pass, roll to the basket after setting a pick, or simply set an off-ball screen near the basket such as a down screen.
In either case, post players should definitely consider boxing out their respective opposition. This, in turn, helps them to gather rebounds, which again, is a usual responsibility of their respective basketball position.
What’s more, in certain instances, a smaller perimeter player can use a highly effective box out technique against a larger post player to collect a rebound.
A situation like that also demonstrates why boxing out can be favorable for any basketball positions, as mentioned earlier.
What is additional general information about boxing out
In most cases, when a shot is attempted by an offensive player, one or more defenders would usually have a box out advantage over one or more respective offensive players.
This is feasible because most of the time, defenders would already be in front of offensive players, mainly to contain the ball and prevent easy scoring opportunities near the basket such as layups or dunks.
In other words, during the normal course of a basketball game such as 5 on 5 action, defenders would generally already have an inside position that is closest to the basket when compared to offensive players.
Therefore, once a shot gets released by an offensive player in possession of the ball, defenders can quickly turn, face the basket, execute the athletic stance, and then box out an adjacent offensive player for a potential defensive rebound.
Nevertheless, it is possible for an offensive player to get around the defensive player that is boxing them out for the inside position closest to the basket, particularly with great footwork and/or body fluidity to ultimately gather an offensive rebound, which could then lead to second chance points.
Moreover, boxing out should be greatly emphasized for teams that implement zone defense. Essentially, zone defenders do not cover specific offensive players but instead, guard certain areas of the court.
For that reason, it is important for zone defenders to box out the offensive player that is the closest to them when a shot gets released.
Furthermore, if an offensive player attempts a shot, it is vital that one of the defensive players, usually the on-ball defender, makes sure to box out that shooter.
Each time the offensive team is able to get the offensive rebound for a second chance opportunity, this is usually detrimental for the defensive team.
However, it is generally much more demoralizing for the defensive team any time that the shooter is able to get their own offensive rebound, especially if the shot was a mid-range or three-point field goal attempt.
Basically, the shooter will usually be able to know or at least guess if the shot is going to make or miss. So, as mentioned before, boxing out the shooter is very essential.
This would also apply to free throws as well. In most situations, the defensive player that is the closest to the free throw shooter near the lane line should box out that offensive player after the ball gets released.
If that box out action does not happen, the free throw shooter could potentially gather their own miss and quickly score before the defense is able to fully react.