Combination defenses can be very devastating to any team not prepared to attack them. The Box & One is the most common combination defense and is primarily used to stop or neutralize an outstanding offensive player. However, like all defenses, the Box & One has its strengths and weakness. One of the biggest problem in attacking a Box & One defense is that most coaches just do not take the time to sufficiently prepare their team. To be effective and successful, offenses against combination defenses need to be practiced and refined.

Since a Box & one offense(s) is a secondary offense, it is important to keep it simple and easy for players to learn. It may just require practicing a current offense against a Box & One defense. It is also helpful, if the offense being used is similar to an already used offense. Since the Box & defense is primarly deployed to deny and limit the "touched" of an outstanding, any offensive attack must be designed to counter this overplay and free up the scorer.

One of the easiest and most effective ways to attack the Box & One defense, is to isolate the star player one on one in the middle. Normally, the chaser of the Box & one defense is very skilled in pass denial but ill prepared for post defense. In addition, it is very tough for even the best post defenders to defend against four outside feeders.

Base Screens Option

At any time, Star player has the option of dropping to the basket and going off either O4's or O5's base screens. If the defender is positioned on the right side, the Star takes the defender right and then breaks left off of O5's screen. Since defender X5 is zoning, it actually creates a double screen.	If the defender is positioned on the left side, the Star takes the defender left and then breaks right off of O4's screen.
Baseline Screen When the Star player goes off the baseline screen, the screen then goes off the basescreen on opposite side. O1 fakes a pass to the Star player and makes a reversable pass to O2 who in turn feeds the open player.	Pass and Cut With the Star player coming off O4's basescreen, passer O1 makes a reversal pass to O2 and then cuts to the basket and off of O5's basescreen.
Post Iso Continuity
Any time a good shot or one-on-one move is not available, the star player makes a reversal pass out to guard O1 and cuts to the basket. O1 passes to O2. O2 passes to O5 stepping out who looks to feed the Star player cutting to the basket or posting up.	If O5 cannot feed the Star player, O5 makes a reversal pass out to O2. O2 passes to O1 who looks to feed the Star player isolated in the post or passes to O4 for the feed.

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Basic Defensive Reads and Counters

Read: Defender chases out

Counter: Curl

When the Star's defender chases out, the Star player curls looking for a quick jumper or cut all the way to the basket.

Read: Defender goes OVER the screen.

Counter: Fade or V Cut

If the defender goes over the screen, the Star player fades looking for a shot on the baseline.

Read: Defender cheats out over the screen early.

Counter: Back Cut

When the Star's defender cheats out over the screen, the Star player back cuts and goes off the base screen on opposite side. In this case, the screen should step up the lane in setting the screen.

Read: Base defender Switches or "Shows"

Counter: Post Slips the Screen

If the baseline defender goes switches on screen or steps out and shows, the screen rolls to the basket looking for a pass.