INTERMEDIATE SHORT HANDED

Split Box

• In a "split box" the low defenders play the same as a regular box, with one "high" defender locking off a marquee shooter and the other “high” defender splitting (2 vs. 1) the point player and whichever shooter is weakest. 

• The defender who is splitting also needs to consider whether the remaining two players are same-handed or opposite-handed (as seen in the diagram), using more or less footwork depending on the situation.

Locked Box (Low & High)

• In a "locked box" (high) three defenders are locking off both shooters and the point player, with one low defender locking off the most dangerous crease player (as shown in bottom diagram), in what might otherwise look like a trapezoid formation.

• The lone low defender is playing a conservative game of cat & mouse with the crease player who is being left wide open (inviting them to shoot), while the rest of the defenders show help but only if necessary and going immediately back to a lock off after doing so.

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  Similarly, a "locked" box (low) can see both shooters and both crease players get locked off (not shown in diagram).  This leaves the point player open to shoot, as some teams will put their best feeder at the point in order to orchestrate set-plays etc., and at times this is the least threatening person to shoot. 

  Otherwise, if wanting to concede a shot to the weakest shooter you would lock off the point player, the next most dangerous shooter, as well as the off-ball crease player; with the on-ball low defender standing in the shooting lane.