defense
Four defenders guard areas in a box: two farther from the basket and two nearer it. The fifth defender follows one selected scorer.
X1 follows scorer 2. X2, X3, X4 and X5 guard a zone. Keep these jobs separate so the zone still covers the other players.
1–5 are players on offense. X1–X5 are defenders. Each number stays with the same player in every step; it does not lock that player into a position.
Diagram 1 of 5
Four in a box; X1 stays with 2
1 passes to 3 on the left wing. X2 moves out to guard 3. X1 stays with 2 on the right. The other four start two high and two low in a box.
Diagram key
Use Previous and Next beside the court, or choose a numbered step. Arrows on the court show where players or the ball move. CoachAssist drew this example; it does not show every way to run the scheme.
This box-and-one selects a perimeter scoring target. The chaser’s assignment and the four-player zone must remain separate. It is not a promise to stop a star or ignore the other four attackers.
X1 follows the selected scorer; X2 and X3 start high, X4 and X5 lower. The chaser does not take ordinary zone-help jobs. On a wing catch by another attacker, the near high defender takes the ball; the other high defender protects the middle and the lower pair accounts for inside threats.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Use separate observers for the chaser and the box. The chaser reports whether the target received comfortably; the other observer reports open shots or inside catches by everyone else. Review both before calling the defense successful. Let the target move without receiving, so the four zone defenders must keep working while attention is elsewhere. Finish each repetition with the shot and rebound; denial of one player is not the end of the defensive possession.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
When: The two high box defenders converge.
Do this: The lower pair protects the blocks while the chaser retains the target.
Then: Recover on the pass out.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
When: The near lower defender guards the ball.
Do this: The opposite lower defender protects the basket.
Then: The high defender’s sag, denial or trap role depends on the chosen version.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Problem: The team celebrates denying the target but loses cutters and second shots.
Try this correction: Review possessions without showing the target first. Ask the box defenders to identify the first unguarded non-target threat.
Check: Measure ordinary shot coverage and rebounds alongside target touches.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Problem: The target becomes free while two defenders stop a non-target.
Try this correction: Replay the moment the chaser left and ask whether the four-player box already had a planned response.
Check: The next repetition preserves the declared chaser job rather than adding another unspoken rule.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Changes: setup, coverage.
When to use it: Diamond-and-one is a written-only alternative here; its complete rotations are not displayed.
Written variant · this option does not have its own walkthrough here.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Choose the level that matches what your players can do now. These steps work for boys and girls. Start simpler if players need more practice.
Set it up: Use one attacker and one guided defender with an adult passer.
Add more when: The defender tracks movement safely.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
CoachAssist wrote these teaching steps. They are not an exact copy of any coach’s practice plan.
We have not confirmed a specific coach or team using this version. Teams may use the same name for different plays.
The level selector changes the teaching steps above. It does not change these drills. Check the number of players, equipment and difficulty before using a drill.
Builds a skill used in this scheme: Develops the assigned defender denying a designated scorer’s catch and following cuts; it does not define the four zone defenders’ coverage changes or the assigned defender’s screen coverage.
A defender tracks a controlled backcut and re-establishes denial when the receiver returns.
3–12 players · 4–8 minutes · basketballs
A defender tracks a controlled backcut and re-establishes denial when the receiver returns.
At least three players rotating through attacker, defender and waiting roles, plus a coach passer. One ball and one cutting route at a time. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.
Builds a skill used in this scheme: Practices zone defenders identifying attackers to keep away from rebounds. It is not an alignment drill for four zone defenders and one defender assigned to a scorer.
Two defenders communicate which of five numbered attackers to account for on a shot.
7–12 players · 6–10 minutes · basketballs
Two defenders communicate which of five numbered attackers to account for on a shot.
Seven players: five numbered perimeter attackers and two lane defenders, plus a coach shooter. Begin with a held or gently tossed ball and controlled, non-contact positioning before live rebounds. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.
The sources support the system guide. CoachAssist created the practice steps and checks; they are suggestions, not tested programs or a coach’s full playbook. The linked drills practice parts of the system.
The main ideas are supported by the sources below. These sources do not cover every possible version.
James A. Gels · Coach's Clipboard · publication date not listed
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.
Basketball For Coaches · Basketball For Coaches · publication date not listed
Public written chaser and high-post coverage reviewed. Organization credited; no individual byline or publication date established. Exact numbered movements are original.
