Baseline inboundsBeginner

Box Cross

Baseline out of bounds from a box. Two diagonal screens make an X: one for a dive to the rim, one for a shooter to the corner.

Best for: For a team with a big who finishes and one shooter. Two screens at once are hard to guard without a mistake.

Needs: any team can run it. Gets you: a layup, a three.

Against: man‑to‑man
Formation: box
Steps: 4 steps · 5 reads each
The five spots: 1Left block (up screener, then safety)
2Right block (shooter)
3Inbounder
4Left elbow (down screener)
5Right elbow (rim cutter)

Run it yourself

Pick a spot and make the reads.

The court plays out each step when you choose right. Switch spots to learn every job in Box Cross.

You are 3, Inbounder

Your spot

Step 1 · The X

They are in man-to-man. Coach calls "Box Cross" on a baseline inbounds. 3 has the ball out of bounds on the left side of the basket.

What do you do?

Pick the read you would make. The play runs when you get it right.

Study every step

What the defence shows at each step, how everyone moves, and the right read for all five spots.

cut pass screen dribble shotNumbers show the order.

Step 1

They are in man-to-man. Coach calls "Box Cross" on a baseline inbounds. 3 has the ball out of bounds on the left side of the basket.

1Run up across the lane and screen x5, then pop to the top.Your screen frees 5 for the dive. Then you are the safe pass.
2Wait for 4's screen, then run the baseline to the left corner.Run x2 into the screen. Get your feet set in the corner, ready to shoot.
3Slap the ball, then read 5 at the rim, then 2, then 1.The slap starts the play. First look is 5 diving to the rim.
4Run down across the lane and screen x2.Get your body on x2 and stay still. You free 2 for the corner shot.
5Wait for 1's screen, then dive to the rim.Let 1 get to x5 first. Then cut hard off their shoulder to the basket.

Then the defence shows one of 3 looks: Read: 5 is open at the rim (40%), Read: 2 is open in the corner (40%), Read: everyone is covered (20%).

Step 2

1 of 3 looks after The X · 40%

x5 got caught on 1's screen and is a step behind. 5 is open in front of the rim.

1Stay at the top as the safety.Your screen did its job. Now someone has to be back.
2Stay in the corner, ready to shoot.Keep x2 wide. You are next if 5 gets covered late.
3Bounce pass to 5 at the rim.First look is open. A bounce pass gets under x3's arms.
4Stay low on the right side for the rebound.You are on the far side of the rim. That is where a miss lands.
5Show your hands, catch and score.Two hands, chin the ball, go straight up.

Layup for 5 off the diagonal up screen.

Step 2

1 of 3 looks after The X · 40%

x5 got through and is with 5. x2 got caught on 4's screen. 2 is open in the left corner.

1Stay at the top as the safety.Someone has to be back if the shot misses.
2Show your hands and shoot it from the corner.Your defender is stuck on the screen. Feet set, catch and shoot.
3Pass to 2 in the corner.5 is covered. The corner is open and the pass is short.
4Hold the screen, then go to the rebound.Keep x2 stuck until the pass is in. Then crash the far side.
5Seal x5 and get ready for the rebound.Inside position wins the board if the shot misses.

Open three for 2 in the corner.

Step 2

1 of 3 looks after The X · 20%

x5 is with 5 and x2 chased 2 to the corner. Nothing is open low.

1Come back to the ball and catch it.You are the safety. Meet the pass so x1 cannot jump in front.
2Stay in the corner and keep x2 with you.Stay wide so 1 has room to catch.
3Pass it out to 1, the safety.Nothing low. Get it in safely before five seconds.
4Step out to the right block and get ready to post.The ball is coming in to 1. Set up for the offence.
5Hold your spot and get ready to post.The ball is going out. You can post up as soon as 1 has it.