Sideline inboundsIntermediate

Sideline Box

Sideline out of bounds. A safe entry to the slot, then a back screen for the inbounder and a pin-down for a shooter.

Best for: Gets the ball in safely first, then catches the inbounder relaxing with a back screen.

Needs: any team can run it. Gets you: the ball in safely, a layup, a three.

Against: man‑to‑man
Formation: box
Steps: 4 steps · 5 reads each
The five spots: 1Left elbow (safe entry)
2Right block (shooter)
3Inbounder
4Left block (back screen)
5Right elbow (pin-down)

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 Sideline Box.

You are 3, Inbounder

Your spot

Step 1 · Safe entry

They are in man-to-man. Coach calls "Sideline Box". 3 has the ball out of bounds on the left sideline.

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 "Sideline Box". 3 has the ball out of bounds on the left sideline.

1V-cut and come back to the left slot for the catch.Sell the rim, then come back hard. You are the safe entry.
2Hold the right block.Wait for the ball to come in. Your pin-down comes next.
3Pass to 1 at the slot, then step in to the left wing.Safe pass first. Then step in, because the next screen is for you.
4Hold the left block and get ready to screen.Wait for 3 to step in. Then you back screen for them.
5Hold the right elbow and get ready to screen.Wait for the entry. Then pin down for 2.

Next: Back screen and pin-down

Step 2

1 has the ball at the left slot. 3 just stepped in on the left wing. Both screens happen now.

1Hold the ball, face up and read 3, then 2.Give the screens a count. First look is 3 at the rim, then 2.
2Use 5's pin-down and come up to the right slot.Walk your defender low, then come off the screen shoulder to shoulder.
3Wait for 4's back screen, then cut hard to the rim.x3 is watching the ball. Use the screen and go to the basket.
4Back screen x3, then hold your ground.Set it behind x3, where they can't see you. Stay still and take the hit.
5Pin down for 2, then hold the block area.Screen x2 so 2 comes up open, then stay low for the rebound.

Then the defence shows one of 2 looks: Read: 3 is open at the rim (50%), Read: 2 is open at the slot (50%).

Step 3

1 of 2 looks after Back screen and pin-down · 50%

x3 got caught on 4's back screen. 3 is open cutting to the rim.

1Lob it to 3 at the rim.x3 is stuck on the screen. Throw it over everyone, to the front of the rim.
2Stay at the right slot as the safety.Someone has to be back if the layup misses.
3Show your hands, catch and score.Catch it high and finish at the rim.
4Hold the screen, then crash for the rebound.Keep x3 stuck, then go get the miss.
5Crash the right side for the rebound.You are close to the rim. Be there if 3 misses.

Layup for 3 off the back screen.

Step 3

1 of 2 looks after Back screen and pin-down · 50%

x3 got through the back screen and is with 3. x2 is stuck behind 5's pin-down. 2 is open at the right slot.

1Pass to 2 at the right slot.x3 took away the rim, and x2 is stuck on the screen. 2 is open.
2Catch with your feet set and shoot.Your defender is stuck on the pin-down. Shoot it on the catch.
3Clear out to the left corner.Get out of the lane so 2 has room, and be ready to rebound.
4Crash for the rebound.The shot is going up. Get inside position.
5Hold the screen, then crash for the rebound.Keep x2 stuck until 2 catches, then go get the miss.