A box out is how a defender keeps his man away from the rebound. When the shot goes up he finds the man, steps into him and makes contact first, then pivots so his back is on the man’s chest. He holds that position for a moment with a wide base and low hips, then goes and gets the ball. Some coaches say block out; it is the same thing.
Why coaches use it
Because rebounds are won before the ball comes down. The player who jumps highest loses to the player who got position first. And a defensive possession only ends when the defense has the ball: a good contest followed by an offensive rebound is not a stop.
Studies of youth championships keep finding defensive rebounds among the statistics that separate winners from losers. In the under-16 European Championships, Lorenzo and colleagues found they did so in games decided by 10 to 29 points. That is an association, not proof that box outs win games, but it is why most coaches drill them every week.
How it is done
- Find. Look for your man first, the ball second.
- Hit. Step into him with the forearm and chest before he runs into you.
- Turn. Front or reverse pivot so your back is on his chest.
- Hold, then pursue. A count with elbows out and hands up, then take the ball at its highest point with two hands and chin it.
The defenders in help have the hardest job, because they start farthest from their man. The weak-side box out drills exactly that. For beginners, the box out and pursue and circle box-out drills teach the contact without a live shot. Our guide to rebounding drills puts them in order.