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Box-and-One
Description

The Box-and-One defense is commonly referred to as a "junk defense". It is best used when your opponent has one player that is dominating the offense and scoring easily against your zone or man-to-man defense.

The Defense
ANIMATION
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  • Assign your best defender to guard the player you are trying to stop. Instruct this defender to deny the ball as much as possible and to follow that player, regardless of where the ball is, anywhere he goes on the court.
  • The remaining 4 players form the "box" with your two taller players on each low block and your guard defenders up top at the elbows.
  • The goal of this defense is to make the other 4 players beat you from the outside and to stop any penetration into the paint area.
  • If the player you are trying to stop gets the ball, the 4 defenders in the box play help as much as possible.
  • Rebounding is key, and the player guarding the "one" must be sure to box their man out.
Pros
  • You force the other team away from their strength and make another player have to step up and beat you.
  • You may be able to frustrate and tire the other team's best scorer as she works to get open for the ball.
Cons
  • The other team may be very capable of scoring with other players and by focusing on one, you may create opportunities for another player to score.
  • Your best defender will need to focus on defense and if they are also a key offensive contributor, the defensive effort may detract from their scoring.
  • You will most likely need to substitute the man-to-man defender often to keep a fresh defender in the game.