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I’ve been watching a lot of college basketball recently and noticed an interesting trend- unless they’ve called a timeout to draw something special, most coaches use the same starting alignment for every baseline out of bounds (BLOB) play. Coach Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks is a great example of this idea. Although I (and the opposing team) knows that they’re going to go to a box every time, they regularly get open dunks and 3’s.

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This thought prompted me to come up with the following statement- I think that’s it’s better for teams to have 5 plays that start out looking the same (i.e 5 box plays), than 5 plays that have players in completely different positions (i.e 1 box, 1 double stack, 1 line stack etc). Here’s my argument:

Defenses have a tougher time recognizing the plays- if all your plays start off looking the same, it’s much more difficult for players and their bench to work out what’s happening before it unfolds. Easier to teach- you can organize plays into a progression from easy to hard and teach them logically. More options- Higher level teams may also be able to run plays on the fly depending on the defense.

Today we’ll be looking at 5 effective box plays that work at the college level. Last week, I ran a poll asking for your go-to BLOB play and this was the most popular response. Box plays are great because you start off with 2 players in the low post, putting a lot of pressure on the defense to deny them the ball or give up an easy layup. Always remember that the best play is the simple one- if you’re somehow able to pass the ball straight to the low post from the whistle, then do it!

I love these plays because they’re all simple and can be run by teams from middle school and up. I don’t think the best play is necessarily the most complex one, but rather one that requires good team fundamentals like spacing, timing and passing to execute.

Box near shuffle

When to use it

When your team is struggling to score inside and you want to get them a good look close to the rim.

Personnel

Your two big men (4 and 5) stand diagonally opposite each other in the box.

The other two guards also stand diagonally opposite.

Your point guard (1) inbounds the ball, standing in front of the nearest low post big.

How it works

The guards clear out by cutting to the strong side corner and wing. Afterwards, the 4 screens for the 5 at the high post, who cuts ball side to catch the pass. The 4 can shoot himself or pass it to the 5 for the layup. 1 steps into play and gets into position for the rebound and tip in.

Coaching points

Straight line passes in the paint get stolen- try and make the entry a lob or bounce pass.

You don’t want your big setting the screen too high- make sure they have both feet in the paint.

If you can’t inbound the ball to the cutter, the screener should roll hard to the other side of the rim to get open by sealing his man.

Middle pin

When to use it

Getting the 1 screen for the 5 is a great way to create a mismatch and another chance to score inside.

Personnel

You want your center (5) inbounding the ball

The two forwards (3 and 4) stand on the ball side corners of the box.

The two guard (1 and 2) stand on the weak side corners, with the 1 closer to the ball

How it works

The forwards clear out by cutting to the strong side corner and wing. The 2 creates space by cutting to the weak side wing. The ball is inbounded to the 3 in the nearest corner. Meanwhile, the 1 moves across as if to get ready to set a screen for 4. The ball is swung to the 4. 1 fakes setting a ball screen then cuts to the low block to screen for the 5. 5 curls around the screen to the hoop. 4 looks to pass the ball inside for a layup. If that isn’t open, 1 sprints to the top to get the ball for a catch and shoot, or to re-enter the offense.

Coaching points

After coming off the curl, it’s important that the 5 catches the ball first facing the passer, then pivoting to square up and attack the basket. Trying to do everything too quickly will result in a turnover.

Double dive

When to use it

When you’re facing a 2-3 zone and you need an open close shot.

Personnel

Your point guard in bounds the ball.

You want your best shooter on the weak side low block.

Both bigs are at the strong side corners.

How it works

Big set cross screens on the defenders marking them as the guards cut across to the corner and wing. The inbounder can look to passing to the corner if he’s open off the screen, otherwise the low post big (5) sets a screen on the defending center. The high post big (4) can cut down to the low post for an open close in catch and shoot. If the defense is focused on the cutter, the 5 should slip to the baseline for the catch

Coaching points

Spacing is important which is why you want your best shooter cutting to the corner. If the defense cheats on him even slightly to help middle, you should get it to him for the catch and shoot 3.

The angle the 4 catches the ball at is perfect for a bank shot.

The 5 shouldn’t screen the ball too close to the baseline as he needs to force the center to either mark him or step up to the 4. If his man steps up after 4 catches the ball, an extra pass to the 5 will lead to a layup.

4 Flash

When to use it

This is a great misdirection to get a shot for a shooting big man.

Personnel

Your point guard in bounds the ball.

The bigs are in the strong side corners of the box, the guards in the weak side corners.

You want your best shooting big in the high post corner.

How it works

The weak side low post guard (3) cuts to the opposite corner. The high post big (4) moves as if to set a screen. Meanwhile, the low post big (5) sets a back screen on 4’s man. As the guard cuts by, the 4 turns and uses 5’s screen to sprint to the baseline for a catch and shoot. The 5 rolls straight to the basket and is the secondary option in this play.

Coaching points

If 1’s defender looks to step up to 4, 1 should cut right to the basket for a pass and layup.

It’s important that 4 forces his defender to pay attention to him by faking the screen for 3. This way, the back screen will catch his defender by surprise.

Double cross

When to use it

This is another cross screen play that has a couple of options, ultimately trying to clear out the low post for a layup.

Personnel

Your point guard in bounds the ball.

Both bigs stand in the low post corners of the box. You want your best shooting big in the weak side corner.

The guards stand in the high post corners.

How it works

The weak side big (4) sets a cross screen on the strong side big’s (5) defender. They swap places. The first option is to pass to either one of them, if open. The 4 continues to cut through to the weak side corner. The strong side guard (3) screens for the weak side guard (2). The 2 uses the screen and curls into the lane. The 1 looks to pass to them for a layup.

Coaching points

Timing is key to this play, the big screen first, and if nothing’s open, then the guards screen for each other. Don’t rush it.

As with most BLOB plays, if the close passes (to the low post or corner) are denied, look for the lob pass to the last guard back. The 2 can cut up to the top to get the ball.

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