Side-Out Box Set vs Man: Get Your Best Player Going with This Late-Game Action
Setup
Formation:
Start in a box formation along the ball side. Your best player, ideally the point guard, is in the weak-side corner. Two screeners are placed near the elbow areas, and the inbounder is on the sideline ready to initiate.
Personnel Notes:
‘1’ (best playmaker): Positioned in the weak-side corner. They are the scoring option.
‘4’ and ‘5’: Your best screeners. ‘4’ sets the initial screen and can also be a pick-and-pop threat.
‘3’: Positioned at the strong side corner for spacing.
‘2’: is the inbounder and sets a pick on 3 after passing.
Execution
Entry to the Top
The ball is inbounded to ‘5’ who pops out to the top of the key.
This receiver must have strong hands and good passing feel.
Screen Action
As the pass is made, ‘4’ sets a hard screen for ‘1’ who waits in the corner.
Timing is crucial, ‘1’ cannot leave early. Wait for the screen to be set fully.
Dribble Handoff
‘1’ comes off the screen and receives a dribble handoff from the top player.
As the handoff happens, ‘5’ dives to the basket. ‘4’ pops out as a shooting option if the defense collapses.
Attack & Read
Now it's up to ‘1’ to read the defense:
If the defense trails or goes under → attack the rim.
If defenders switch or hedge → hit the dive to ‘5’ or pop to ‘4’.
If the paint collapses → kick out to the relocated wings or inbounder.
Key Coaching Points
Timing matters most: The entire success of the play hinges on ‘1’ waiting for the screen to be fully set before making a move.
Read the defense on the dribble handoff: Train your point guard to read hedges, traps, and drop coverage in real time.
Pop shooter spacing: If ‘4’ can shoot, make sure the arc is clear. This gives you a triple read, drive, dive, or kick.
Great for end-of-game isolation: The spacing after the handoff provides natural driving lanes.
Helpful Drills
Screen + handoff timing — Practice timing the screen and handoff with game speed, emphasizing waiting for the screener.
DHO attack reads — Run 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 variations from the sideline to build comfort in recognizing handoff coverage.
Post dive + pop shooting — After the handoff, reps for ‘5’ rolling to the rim and ‘4’ popping for catch-and-shoot.
Inbound reads under pressure — Simulate live defense while inbounding and build quick reaction habits.
Full Breakdown for Coaches
This sideline play from a box formation is designed with simplicity and impact in mind. It gives your best player a clean decision-making environment and forces the defense to make a choice, none of which are easy.
1. Box Formation Creates Compact Confusion
Box sets are naturally difficult to defend, especially when used creatively. Starting your scorer in the corner instead of at the top keeps them away from immediate pressure and enhances misdirection.
2. DHO is the Power Trigger
By using a dribble handoff instead of a straight cut or pass, you add momentum and versatility. It allows ‘1’ to turn the corner with speed while keeping the ball secure. Unlike static sets, the ball handler has options without needing to reset the play.
3. Reads Create Layers of Opportunity
Once the dribble handoff occurs, the offense spreads quickly:
‘5’ is diving to the basket, dragging attention.
‘4’ pops to the perimeter, creating a second layer for pick-and-pop or swing.
‘1’ is now attacking off movement.
Each read can break different types of man coverage. Against switching? Hit the dive. Against sagging? Pop and shoot. Against traps? Kick and reverse.
4. Perfect for Crunch Time
This play is best suited for:
Late-game possessions
End of quarter 2-for-1s
Momentum-swing plays after timeouts
It’s especially useful in youth basketball and high school coaching, where space, timing, and decision-making often break down under pressure. This play gives a clean, structured way to attack and opens multiple scoring options in under 8 seconds.
When to Use This Play
After Timeouts: Perfect for drawing up a specific look when your team needs structure.
End of Quarter: Gets your best player a clean look to close the period.
Tight Games: When the offense is stalling, this play re-centers the focus on execution and spacing.
Why This Play Works vs Man Defense
This sideline set is effective because it isolates your best decision-maker in a controlled two-man game, often forcing defenders to choose between switching or fighting through screens. Both options create slight advantages, advantages that skilled players can capitalize on.
The action is quick, decisive, and disguised within a common box alignment. It’s particularly potent at the youth and high school levels where defenders may be slow to communicate switches or fight through screens cleanly.
Final Takeaway
This sideline out-of-bounds play from a box set is a fantastic way to put the ball in your best player's hands with space to work. It’s not just a quick-hitter, it’s a layered offensive concept that teaches screen timing, off-ball movement, and decision-making under pressure.
Whether you coach at the youth level or in high school, you can install this play in a single practice, rep it consistently, and rely on it when it matters most.
Start running it today, and give your point guard the chance to win the moment.
