Andrew Pace
Boxing out is a fundamental skill in basketball that can give your team a competitive edge. It involves blocking an opposing player with your body to prevent them from getting a rebound. It's about positioning yourself between your opponent and the basket, making contact, and driving them back to create space for a missed shot. It's a skill that requires strict discipline and practice, and it can be taught to players of all ages and sizes. Effective boxing out can turn a missed shot into a fast-break opportunity or extra possession for your team, increasing your chances of winning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First step | Make first contact with the offensive player |
| Aiming point | Between the sternum and the opposite shoulder |
| Footwork | Step across the offense’s body with the opposite foot, keeping your feet shoulder-width apart |
| Body position | Keep your backside in contact with the offensive player |
| Elbows | Keep elbows out wide |
| Hands | Keep your hands up |
| Eyes | Keep your eyes on the ball |
| Communication | Yell "Shot!" to alert teammates |
| Possession | Prevent an offensive player from chasing down an offensive rebound |
| Positioning | Get in an athletic stance with a broad base and low centre of gravity |
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What You'll Learn
Make first contact
Making first contact is crucial to an effective box out. It's important to be the first one to make contact with your opponent—if you're not, you risk being pushed toward the basket, giving your opponent an advantage. Use your forearm to "hit" the offensive player between the sternum and the opposite shoulder. This will stop them in their tracks.
Keep your knees bent to maintain your balance and stay in contact with the offensive player. Your goal is to halt their progress and create enough contact so you can move on to the next step. Once you've made this initial contact, turn your body so that your backside is now making contact with the offensive player. If you used your right hand to "hit," step across with your right foot, putting your backside into the offensive player's midsection.
Keep your eyes on the ball and anticipate its movement. This will help you move in the direction of the rebound. Don't wait for the ball to come to you; be ready to release your box-out position and jump for the ball. You can also use your voice to alert your teammates that a shot is being taken by yelling "Shot!" This will help them prepare for the rebound and know where to box out.
Making first contact is just the beginning of an effective box out. From there, you'll need to create space and drive the offensive player back, using your body to seal them off from the basket.
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Get a better position
Getting a better position in basketball is crucial to gaining an advantage over your opponent. Here are some detailed tips to achieve that:
First, focus on getting "inside" the offensive players. This might involve fighting around them, reaching a 50/50 or "shoulder-to-shoulder" position, or keeping them behind you. By doing this, you can prevent your opponent from getting a rebound. It's not just about jumping high but also about reading the bounce and anticipating where the ball will go next. Watch your opponent's eyes to determine their next move, and use your body to block their path.
Second, maintain a sturdy and powerful position. Get low with a broad base, using your lower body strength to keep offensive players at bay. Stay nimble and anticipate ball movement. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, with bent knees, and arms extended to the side. This will help you stay balanced and effectively use your body to block your opponent.
Third, be aggressive and physical. Make first contact with your opponent, using your forearm to strike quickly and effectively. This will stop their progress and allow you to control the flow of the game. Once you've made contact, drive them back and create space by moving them away from the basket. Use short, powerful steps to achieve this.
Finally, anticipate and react quickly. Watch how your opponent shoots during practice or games to predict where the ball might go. Train yourself to read bounce patterns, so you can be the first to react when the ball is in play. This will give you an edge and increase your chances of gaining possession.
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Push opponents away from the basket
To push opponents away from the basket, you must first make contact with them. This is a crucial step that cannot be skipped. Use your forearm to "hit" the offensive player and stop them in their tracks. Aim for the area between their sternum and the opposite shoulder. Keep your knees bent to maintain your balance and stay in contact with the offensive player.
Once you've made contact, turn your body so that your backside is against the offensive player. If you used your right hand to make contact, step across their body with your right foot, positioning your backside in their midsection. This will help you control their movement and push them away from the basket effectively.
Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, with your knees bent and your arms extended to the sides. Use short, powerful steps to drive the offensive player back and away from the basket. The direction you move them is not as important as the distance you create between them and the basket.
It's important to note that while basketball is a physical sport with some contact expected, there are rules governing the amount of force used. Excessive pushing or holding can result in a foul. Therefore, focus on using your body positioning and strength to move your opponent away from the basket without resorting to excessive force.
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Grab the rebound
Grabbing the rebound is the ultimate goal of boxing out, and it's a crucial skill to master in basketball. Here are some detailed instructions to teach this skill effectively:
Positioning and Anticipation:
Explain to your players the importance of positioning themselves optimally to grab the rebound. They should aim to get close to the hoop, anticipating where the ball might bounce off the basket. Encourage them to use their bodies to block opponents from getting to the rebound first. This involves crouching slightly, bending their knees, and spreading their legs to make their bodies wider and harder to get past.
Communication:
Teach your players the value of communication during a game. When a shot is taken, yelling "Shot!" alerts teammates to the ball's movement and helps them prepare for the rebound. This simple communication technique can help everyone get ready to box out and improve their chances of grabbing the rebound.
Timing and Jumping:
Emphasize the importance of timing when jumping for the rebound. Players should not jump too early or too late. They need to develop a feel for when to jump to meet the ball at the highest point of their jump. This can be practised by throwing the ball high against a wall and jumping to grab it, working on their timing and jumping ability.
Securing the Ball:
Instruct your players to try to catch the rebound with two hands if possible, making it harder for opponents to swat it away. Once they have the ball, they should pull it up to their chin to secure it and prepare to pass or shoot.
Passing and Shooting:
After grabbing the rebound, players should quickly assess their options. If they see an open teammate moving down the court, they should pass the ball to them. If no teammates are open, they might need to dribble the ball up the court themselves. Alternatively, if they are close to the basket and have a clear shot, they can move in for a shot themselves.
By following these steps and practising their rebounding skills, your players will improve their chances of successfully grabbing the rebound and contributing to their team's success.
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Pass to a teammate
Passing to a teammate is an important aspect of boxing out in basketball. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help teach this skill:
Identifying the Right Pass:
Look for an open teammate, preferably your point guard, and pass the ball to them. If you are the point guard and have just made a defensive rebound, scan the court for a teammate in a favourable position near the basket and pass it to them. If no such option is available, you can choose to set up your offence.
Communicating with Teammates:
Communication is key. Listen for your teammates yelling "Shot!" so that you can anticipate the rebound and box out effectively. When you hear "Shot!", identify the player closest to you and make contact with them, tracking their and the ball's movement.
Creating Space:
Use your body to create space between your opponent and the basket. Position yourself between them and the basket, maintaining an athletic stance with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and arms extended to the side. This will help you gain leverage and prevent your opponent from reaching the ball.
Screening and Passing:
You can use a technique called "screening" or "setting a pick" to create space for your teammates to receive a pass. This involves legal and safe movements that do not impede the progress of the opposing player or cause injury. For example, you can use your backside to screen an opponent, but be mindful of maintaining a safe distance and not making contact outside the frame of your hips and shoulders.
Timing and Anticipation:
Anticipate the direction of the rebound by keeping your eyes on the ball and your opponent's eyes. This will help you position yourself effectively for the box out and the subsequent pass. Don't wait for the ball to come to you; be ready to release your box-out position and jump for the ball.
By following these instructions and practising regularly, players can improve their passing skills in boxing out situations, contributing to more effective teamwork and increased chances of winning.
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