Basketball Offense - Princeton Offense

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Writing an article on the Princeton offense is not an easy task as there is really no set "pattern" per se (such as the flex offense). Instead, it's more of a way of playing offense using certain principles that require the offensive player to read the defense. For the most part, it is unstructured, using screens and cuts, reading and reacting to the defense. The Princeton offense was pioneered by Pete Carril at Princeton some years ago. Variations are used by college teams (Georgetown, Northwestern, Arizona State, Air Force and Colorado) and NBA teams (New Jersey, Washington, Sacramento, New Orleans).

It has been said that this offense might benefit a team whose players are less athletic than most of their opponents. However, I don't think this is correct, as the Princeton offense requires all players to be good passers, ball-handlers (dribbling skills), and good outside shooters (3-point shots), as well as possess a high basketball IQ, or savvy. If you have a bunch of players like that you can probably win with any offense! Since players must have a good understanding of the game and know how to read the defense, this offense would not be an ideal choice for a youth or middle-school level team in my opinion. This offense would fit a team lacking tall post players, but with good, smart perimeter players.

The Princeton offense is a more deliberate offense, oftentimes with many passes each possession. This tends to slow the game down, controlling the tempo, usually resulting in lower game scores. Coaches have to be completely committed to this offense as it is a free-lance offense with less control from the bench. Certainly, however, plays and quick hitters can be called. The Princeton offense can be used against man-to-man and zone defenses. Against zones that pack the paint, open 3-point shots, attacking the gaps in the zone and attacking the baseline are effective techniques.

The hallmarks of the offense are the spread offense and spacing, constant motion, the back-door cut and lay-up, hitting open 3-point shots, flare screens and screens away from the ball. The basic set can be 4-out with 1-in (either at the high post, or low post), a 2-3 high set, or a 1-2-2 (5-out) set. A smart post player with good passing skills is important as the offense will tend to revolve around the center, who is often a playmaker. When in the 4-out high or 2-3 high set (diagram A), you can see that all players are located at or above the free-throw line extended. This creates space underneath for cutting, especially back-door cuts. The high set and constant motion help eliminate the helpside defense inside. A variety of entries are possible... pass with give and go, UCLA cut, dribble-at with back-cut, high post feed, weave-screen, etc.

Also see: Pete Carril's Princeton Offense, Princeton Offense Plays.

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Helpful DVDs

	Joe Scott: The Princeton Offense - Essential Building Blocks with Joe Scott, University of Denver Head Coach; former Princeton University Head Coach. Once you have mastered the building blocks of Princeton's offensive system, you will be able to create easy scoring opportunities for your team! In this excellent instructional DVD, former player, assistant and Princeton head coach, Joe Scott discusses the philosophy of one of the most storied basketball programs of all time! Having been mentored by former Princeton coaches Pete Carril and Bill Carmody, Scott explains in detail the Princeton offensive philosophy... (more info) Price: $39.99
	Joe Scott: Princeton Offense Half Court Drills with Joe Scott, University of Denver Head Coach; former Princeton University Head Coach. Based on a combination of strong fundamentals and an understanding of how to play, Princeton has found great success with this legendary offense. Coach Scott thoroughly illustrates the pieces that make up this potent offense. Screening, hard cutting, posting up, back door cuts and spacing are all essential. This system of offense also demands great passing by snapping chest passes. An emphasis is also put on the ability for players to make lay-ups in a variety of ways. Good screening is predicated on cutting as hard... (more info) Price: $39.99
	The Princeton Offense: Back Door to Success with Kevin Pigott, Fordham Preparatory School (NY) Head Boys Basketball Coach. The mystery of the Princeton Offense is unveiled in this masterful DVD! As Coach Kevin Pigott was learning this offense, he was able to tap directly into the mind of "the master," Pete Carril, to get a first hand overview of the offense. As a high school coach with limited time, Pigott shows how he has shaped this effective offense to fit his program. The star of the offense is the "back door cut," which Princeton has used for years to slay bigger opponents. Pigott shares the key drills that his team works on, every day, to perfect the offense and also teaches concepts such as the dribble handoff, fake handoff, weak side exchange, freeze dribble, butt screens, pick and roll and many more... (more info) Price: $49.99
	Five-Star Basketball: How to Run the Princeton Offense in High School Basketball with Kevin Pigott, Fordham Preparatory School (NY) Head Boys Basketball Coach. Coach Pigott has taken a very committed approach to the Princeton Offense and teaches it as well as any coach in the country. He presents a detailed look at the pieces that make up this dangerous offensive attack. Coach Pigott begins with the back door cut, the anchor of the Princeton Offense. Drill work incorporates chairs for defenders and works on back cuts from five different spots. Pigott emphasizes specific footwork for setting up the back cut including the planted outside foot, swing arms through, swim move and lead step. Footwork variation is a daily drill to strengthen the back door set up...(more info) Price: $39.99
	Winning with the Princeton Style Offense with Lee DeForest, Garrard County High School Head Boys Coach Is your offense stale and predictable? Do you find it difficult to make adjustments to the defense? Now you can mold the elaborate Princeton Offense to match your players' abilities and maximize your team's scoring! After taking apart the famed Princeton Offense piece by piece, Coach DeForest reassembled it to give his high school team a versatile, high scoring offense. DeForest's unique teaching method makes the Princeton easy to teach and install. DeForest provides white board diagrams and practice footage of six interchangeable sets: Chin, Low, 5-Out, Point, Reverse, and Circle. He supplements his teaching with game footage... (more info) Price: $39.99