What is box dribble entry offense in basketball?
Box dribble entry offense comprises actions from the box set that focuses on creating possible scoring opportunities near the basket or around perimeter areas of the court after a player initially dribbles the basketball towards a wing area, usually from the top.
How to understand the player roles and diagrams on this page
In relation to any diagrams below, each of the offensive players are generally represented by the standard basketball positions in number format, unless otherwise noted.
In essence, 1 is the point guard; 2 is the shooting guard; 3 is the small forward; 4 is the power forward; 5 is the center.
Furthermore, in terms of a brief legend for the diagrams:
- Black Dot or Small Circle: The black dot or small circle represents the basketball.
- Solid Arrow: The solid arrow indicates movement or a cut on the basketball court.
- Dotted Arrow: The dotted arrow represents a basketball pass.
- Wavy Arrow: The wavy arrow indicates dribbling.
- T-Shaped Symbol: The T-shaped symbol signifies a screen, also known as a pick.
- Double pipe symbol: The double pipe symbol denotes handoff action.
What is a method to use a double screen within box dribble entry offense?
A double screen could be used within box dribble entry offense by setting it near the lane as an off-ball screen or setting it near the wing as an on-ball screen.
It should also be mentioned that the on-ball double screen is typically known as a double ball screen.
The example diagrams below demonstrate this concept with various scoring opportunities.
Part 1: Off-ball double screen
To start, 1 performs a dribble entry towards the left side wing area, represented by the wavy arrow.
As that happens, 4 cuts to the top from the left side high post elbow area and receives the ball from 1, indicated by the dotted arrow.
As 4 receives the ball, 3 and 5 cut towards the right side of the lane line near the right side low post and right side mid-post area to set an off-ball double screen, denoted by the T-like symbols.
2 utilizes that screening action and cuts from the left side low post area towards the right side wing area. Following that, 2 receives the ball and has an opportunity to take the open three-point shot.
However, if 2 receives the ball but the shot is not available, then 2 could retain possession of it while 3 cuts through to the empty left side corner area.
Part 2: On-ball double screen
Next, 4 and 5 cut towards the right side wing to set an on-ball double screen. From there, 2 uses that screen and dribbles the basketball towards the middle of the high post area.
In addition, following the screening action, 4 replaces at the right side wing while 5 rolls to the basket.
Afterwards, 2 could pass the ball with 5 as the recipient or to one of the other teammates near the various perimeter areas of the court, depending on whoever is open.
Moreover, 2 could also simply keep possession of the ball and take the mid-range jump shot if that is feasible.
What is a method to use an elevator screen within box dribble entry offense?
An elevator screen could be used within box dribble entry offense by setting it around the free throw line area, mainly to free up one of the team’s best three-point shooters.
It could also be used in combination with a cross screen to create an additional scoring opportunity near the basket.
The example diagram below demonstrates this concept.
To begin, 1 performs a dribble entry towards the right side wing area. As that happens, 2 cuts into the lane from the right side low post area to set a cross screen.
After that, 5 uses that screen in an attempt to get open in the lane. That action could result in 1 throwing the ball inside, which could lead to a layup opportunity by 5.
However, as another scoring option, 2 could get open by cutting to the top by way of an elevator screen set by 3 and 4. This also completes screen the screener action as well.
From that point, 2 could receive possession of the ball from 1 and take the open three-point shot.
What is a method to use a stagger screen within box dribble entry offense?
A stagger screen could be used within box dribble entry offense by setting it in the general vicinity of the low post area, particularly for a perimeter player who is initially occupying that space.
Furthermore, it is also possible to utilize high low action as a secondary scoring option after the stagger screen occurs.
The example diagrams below demonstrate this concept.
Part 1: Stagger screen
To start, 1 performs a dribble entry towards the left side wing area. While that happens, 4 and 5 cut from the high post elbow areas to set a stagger screen.
Afterwards, 2 uses that screen and cuts to the top. From there, 2 could receive the ball from 1 and possibly take the three-point shot if that is open.
Otherwise, 2 keeps possession of it while 3 cuts to the right side wing, 4 fills the left side low post area, and 5 fills the right side low post area.
Part 2: High low
Next, 2 passes the basketball towards the right side wing, which is then received by 3. From there, 2 cuts away to set a down screen near the lane area on the left side.
4 uses that screen and cuts to the middle of the high post area while 2 fills the empty left side corner after setting the screen.
Following that, 4 receives the ball from 3. From that point, 5 ducks into the lane looking to receive the ball from 4 via the high low pass. If that occurs, then 5 could try to quickly score via low post move.
Alternatively though, 4 could simply take the mid-range shot if that is open as well.
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