Skip to Content

Box Offense in Basketball: Examples of Quick Hitting Plays

What is the box offense in basketball

The box offense is a basketball offensive strategy that utilizes quick hitting set plays with various basketball screens to create scoring opportunities near the basket or near the perimeter, particularly for the team’s best players.

What is an example of the initial formation for the box offense

Box formation

This is an example of the initial formation for the box offense. It begins with a player with the ball near the top, which is typically the point guard.

Also, two players fill the areas near the high post elbows while two additional players fill the areas near the low post blocks.

When this occurs, the four players inside of the three-point arc near the high posts and low posts form a box, hence the name of the offense.

What are examples of scoring options for the box offense

Example 1

Example 1

This is an example of a quick hitting scoring option for the box offense which includes a dribble handoff and screen the screener action. To start, 1 dribbles toward the right side wing.

At the same time, 3 cuts to the right side wing via a cross screen set by 2 to receive the ball by way of a dribble handoff from 1.

Following that handoff action, 3 dribbles back toward the top. As that occurs, 2 cuts to the left side wing via screens set by 4 and 5. After that, 2 could receive the ball from 3 and take the three-point jump shot if open.

Example 2

Example 2

This is an example of a quick hitting scoring option for the box offense that includes a dribble entry and various screens to create opportunities near the basket or near the perimeter.

To begin, 1 dribbles to the right side wing via the on-ball screen set by 4.

As that happens, 5 cuts to the right side low post block via the cross screen set by 2. Immediately after the cross screen, 2 cuts to the top via the stagger screen set by 3 and 4.

From that point, 5 could receive the ball from 1 and score with a possible low post move. Also, 2 could receive the ball from 1 and take the jump shot if open.

Example 3

Example 3

This is an example of a scoring option for the box offense which consists on-ball screens and an off-ball screen. To start, 1 dribbles to the right side wing via the on-ball screen set by 3.

However, this is actually misdirection so 1 dribbles back toward the left side wing via the on-ball screen set by 4. As that happens, 5 cuts into the lane via the cross screen set by 2.

After the cross screen, 2 could fill the right side corner while 5 receives the ball from 1 and then scores near the basket.

Example 4

Example 4

This is an example of a scoring option for the box offense which comprises screen the screener action to generate opportunities for the team’s best shooters. To begin, 1 dribbles to the right side wing area.

As that happens, 3 cuts to the right side corner via the screen set by 2. Immediately after that, 2 cuts to the top via the screens set by 4 and 5. From there, 3 could receive the ball from 1 and take the open shot in the corner.

As the alternative option, 2 could receive the ball from 1 and take the open shot from the top.

Example 5

Example 5

This is another example of a scoring option for the box offense which showcases screen the screener action to create possibilities near the basket or near the perimeter.

To start, 1 dribbles to the right side wing and as that occurs, 5 cuts to the right side low post area via the cross screen set by 2. Additionally, after the cross screen, 2 cuts to the top between the elevator screen set by 3 and 4.

From there, 5 could receive the ball from 1 and score near the basket with a low post move. Also, as the other option, 2 could receive the ball from 1 and take the open jump shot.

Example 6

Example 6

This is an example of a scoring option for the box offense which include Spain pick and roll action. To begin, 1 dribbles to the left side wing via the on-ball screen set by 5.

At the same time, 3 and 4 execute minor V-cuts to the left side corner and right side wing respectively. Next, 5 rolls to the basket but receives a Spain screen (i.e. a screen for the player rolling to the basket) from 2.

Afterwards, 5 could receive the ball from 1 and score near the basket if open.

Example 7

Example 7

This is an example of a quick hitting scoring option for the box offense which creates opportunities near the basket or from beyond the three-point arc. To start, 4 receives the ball from 1.

Next, 1 cuts to the left side wing via the flare screen set by 3 while 5 cuts into the lane via the cross screen set by 2. Also, after the cross screen, 2 fills the left side corner.

From there, 5 could receive the ball from 4 via high low action and score near the basket. On the other hand, 1 could receive the ball and take the three-point shot if open.

Example 8 – Part 1

Example 8 - Part 1

This is an example of a scoring option for the box offense which includes dribble entry and screen away action among other basketball screens. To start, 1 dribbles to the right side wing and when that occurs, 3 cuts to the top via the down screen set by 5.

Next, 3 receives the ball from 1 and could take the jump shot if open. Otherwise, 4 cuts to the wing via the down screen set by 2, receives the ball from 3, and could take the open three-point shot.

Example 8 – Part 2

Example 8 - Part 2

If 4 is not open, then 1 cuts to the top via the screen away action set by 3. Also, at the same time, 5 cuts to the left side low post block via the cross screen set by 2. In addition to that, 2 fills the right side corner after the screening action.

From that point, 5 could receive the ball from 4 and score via a low post move. Also, as another potential scoring option, 1 could receive the ball from 4 and then take the jump shot if open.

Example 9 – Part 1

Example 9 - Part 1

This is an example of a scoring option for the box offense which features the UCLA screen among other offensive actions. To begin, 1 dribbles to the right slot area and this triggers a minor V-cut by 5 to the right side wing area.

At the same time, 2 cuts to the left slot area via the down screen set by 4. Next, 5 receives the ball from 1 and then, 1 cuts to the basket via the UCLA screen set by 3.

From there, if 1 is open, then 1 could receive the ball from 5 near the rim. Otherwise, if 1 is not open to receive the ball, then 1 fills the right side low post block.

Example 9 – Part 2

Example 9 - Part 2

Next, 3 receives the ball from 5 and then, 2 receives the ball from 3. After that, 5 cuts to the basket inside the paint via the double back screen set by 1 and 4. Following the screening action, 5 could receive the ball from 2 and score at the rim.