The box and 1 defense is a unique and potentially a highly effective basketball defense that is designed to stop an opposing team´s best player. It involves a combination defense of man-to-man and zone principles, and can be a tough defense for a team to attack when it is heavily reliant on one player. 

In this article, we´ll go over the basics of the box and 1 defense, including how it works, how to attack against it, and the pros and cons of using this defense.

What is the box and 1 defense?

The box and 1 defense is a variation of a man-to-man defense that involves four defenders playing in a "box" shape, with the fifth defender guarding the opposing team´s best player one-on-one. The box is typically set up with the four defenders guarding the area surrounding the two blocks and the two elbows. The 5th defender is either playing on ball defense or denying the ball to the opposing team´s best player.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE APP

The box and 1 defense is a type of "junk" defense, meaning it is a mix of different defensive principles and is not a traditional man-to-man or zone defense. It is often used in situations where a team has one dominant player, such as a point guard, shooting guard or wing who needs to be stopped. You will rarely, if ever, see this as a solution for a dominant big man. 

How do you defend using a box and 1?

To defend using the box and 1, it´s important for the four players in the box to communicate effectively and work together to cover their own areas and not allow easy shots. They can also be prepared to help out or double the other team´s best player if he is dribbling the ball near your area. 

As the defender guarding the star player its your sole responsibility to make it extremely difficult for the player to get catches and to get open shots. When they have the ball you need to make sure you stay between them and the basket, and when they don´t you need to stay between them and the ball. 

How to beat a box and 1? 

The first thing that is needed to beat a box and 1 is to have a star player that cares more about the team win then putting up a lot of points. Because there is a good chance that your star play will not score their typical amount of points per game. 

The next x´s and o´x step would be to set a lot of screens. The defense is essentially using 4 defenders to cover the whole half court. If the offense plays it properly, it will be a long night for the defense. 

When setting screens we suggest using the player that is being box and 1´d to be the screen setter, or at least one of them. It will cause a lot of confusion because the zone players can´t trade the ball handler off, and the shadow defender can´t help off of the star player. This will cause confusion and lead to some easy baskets. 

Advantages of the box and one defense

There are several advantages to using the box and 1 defense:

• It takes away the opposing team´s best scoring threat. By dedicating a defender to stop one player, you can greatly reduce their impact on the game.
• It forces other players to beat you. With the opposing team´s best player being denied the ball, other players will have to step up and score. This can be especially effective if the other players are not strong scorers.
• It can be effective against teams with a dominant ball-handler. By denying the ball to the opposing team´s best player, you can disrupt their offense and force turnovers.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE APP

Disadvantages of the box and one defense

There are also some disadvantages to using the box and 1 defense:

• It can be vulnerable to three-point shooting. With four defenders playing close to the basket, there may be more space on the perimeter for opponents to shoot from.
• It can be tiring for the player being guarded one-on-one. The player defending the opposing team´s best player will likely have to work harder and defend for longer periods of time, which can be physically exhausting.
• It can be difficult to defend against good ball movement. If the opposing team is able to pass the ball effectively, they may be able to find open shooters or cutters who are able to score against the defense.

What is the primary objective of the box and 1 defense?

The primary objective of the box and 1 defense is to take away the opposing team´s best scoring threat and force other players to beat you. By denying the ball to the opposing team´s best player, you can disrupt their offense and create turnovers. While it can be vulnerable to certain types of attacks, the box and 1 defense can be a very effective tool for teams looking to slow down an opponent´s top scorer.

Final Words

The box and 1 defense is a unique and highly effective basketball defense that involves a combination of man-to-man and zone principles. It is designed to stop an opposing team´s best player and force other players to beat you.

While it has its advantages and disadvantages, the box and 1 defense can be a useful tool for teams looking to disrupt their opponents´ offense and create turnovers. Whether you´re a coach or a player, understanding how to use and defend against the box and 1 defense can give you an edge on the court.