(1) Q: What is the goal of free throw defense? 

A: The goal is to rebound the ball on a missed shot to secure offensive possession.

(2) Q: What is the best way to accomplish this goal? 

A: The best way to accomplish this is for every defender in the free-throw area to box out.  

(3) Q: How do we box out during a free-throw? 

A: Most of the time, it is best if the lone top defender on the free-throw line (X1 in the diagram below) boxes out the free-throw shooter (O1), and the two bottom defenders (X4, X5) box out the nearest offensive players (O4, O5). In order to get a better box-out angle, the bottom defenders should step into their assigned player, not straight into the key. The bottom defenders (X4, X5) should be the best rebounders on the team, and the top defender (X1) the next best. For defensive players outside the three-point line (X2, X3), if the offensive players (O2, O3) are attempting to go for the rebound, the defense can box them out; otherwise those defensive players may go directly for the rebound (once the ball hits the rim).

 
 

(4) Q: What if there is an extremely talented offensive rebounder in the O4 or O5 position?

A: In this situation, instead of boxing out the shooter (O1), the top defender (X1) can pinch (double-team) the very good rebounding offensive player (O4) with the bottom defender (X4), both of them boxing out the player. The outside players can come in extra hard for the rebound (once the ball hits the rim).

 
 

SKILLS DRILLS

Skills Drill #1 - Free Throw Normal Box Out

Players will line up as shown in the diagram, with O1 shooting. On the shot, everyone will box out accordingly (do not worry about rebounding the ball at this point).

Skills Drill #2 - Free-Throw Pinch Box Out

Similar to Skills Drill #1, except this time X1 and X4 will pinch O4.