Box inbound play: screen the screener
Box inbound play step by step
- 1
O3 inbounds from under the basket. O2 and O5 are on the blocks, O4 and O1 are at the elbows. On the slap, O4 steps down to screen for O2 and O1 pops out to the top as the safety.
- 2
O2 uses the screen and cuts out to the left corner for a catch-and-shoot look. O5 comes across the lane to screen for O4.
- 3
O4 has just screened, so their defender is often looking at O2. O4 cuts off O5's screen and rolls to the rim.
- 4
O3 hits O4 at the rim. If O4 is covered, the next looks are O2 in the corner and then O1 at the top.
- 5
O4 catches close to the basket and finishes. O3 steps in bounds after the pass.
When to use a box inbound play
Use it on any baseline out of bounds under your own basket. The box set looks the same every time, so you can run several plays out of it and the defense can't tell which one is coming.
It works best against man-to-man defense, where each defender has to fight through a screen. Against a zone, the same spots still help: a player on the block can often slip behind the zone to the rim, and the corner is open if the zone packs in.
Box inbound play roles
O3 (inbounder)
A good passer who can see over the defense. Slap the ball to start the play, read the options in order, and step in bounds right after the pass. You have five seconds, so don't wait for a perfect look.
O2 (shooter)
Wait for O4's screen, then cut to the corner with your hands ready to shoot. If the defense jumps the corner, you are the decoy that gets O4 open.
O4 (screener, then cutter)
Set a real screen for O2. As soon as O2 is gone, turn and use O5's screen to get to the rim. Keep a hand up as you cut.
O5 (second screener)
Cross the lane and screen O4's defender. After O4 cuts, step toward the ball. You are often the open player if both defenders go with O4.
O1 (safety)
Pop out to the top. If nothing is open, you catch the safety pass so the team doesn't lose the ball on a 5-second call.
How to teach baseline out of bounds plays
Walk it with no defense first, calling out each player's job in order. Then add defenders who play at half speed so screeners learn to hit the defender and cutters learn to wait for the screen.
Give the inbounder a set order to read: rim, corner, safety. Kids make better decisions when they know what they are looking for.
Once your team knows the box, add a second play from the same set, like the players on the blocks screening up for the elbows. The defense sees the same box and has to guess.
Inbound play drill: box reps with a count
- Run the play 5-on-0 from both sides of the basket until every player knows their spot.
- Add five defenders playing man-to-man. The coach counts to five out loud on every inbound.
- The offense gets two points for a score, one point for a completed safety pass, and loses a point for a turnover or a 5-second call.
- Rotate the inbounder every three reps so more than one player can run it in a game.
Coaching point Watch the second screen. If O5 is late, O4 has nowhere to go. O5 should start moving as soon as O2 comes off the first screen.
Common box inbound play mistakes
- The inbounder stepping onto the court before the pass is released, which is a turnover.
- Cutters leaving before the screen is set.
- Screeners setting soft screens that the defender runs right through.
- No safety, so the inbounder has nowhere to go when the first two looks are covered.
- Throwing a lob over a taller defender when a bounce pass or safety pass was there.
Box inbound play vs. sideline out of bounds plays
A baseline play starts close to the basket, so the first look is often a layup. A sideline play usually starts farther away, so the main goal is getting the ball in safely, with a quick shot as a bonus.
Box inbound play FAQ
What is a box inbound play in basketball?
An out of bounds play where four players line up in a box, two on the blocks and two at the elbows, and use screens to get someone open for the inbound pass.
What are the best baseline out of bounds plays for youth basketball?
Plays with one clear first option, a second option, and a safety. The box set is popular because it's easy to line up and you can run several plays from it.
How long do you have to inbound the ball?
Five seconds from when the inbounder has the ball. The official counts it with a visible arm swing.
Can the inbounder run the baseline on a BLOB play?
No. After a violation, a foul, or the ball going out of bounds, the inbounder has to stay at the spot the official gives them. Running the baseline is allowed only after a made basket.