Coach ,

The Princeton offense has been one of basketball’s most effective offensive systems for nearly a century. 

 One up-and-coming coach who has invested his WHOLE basketball career into understanding this style of play is Quinn McDowell. 

Coach McDowell’s ‘The 7 Basic Actions Of The Princeton Offense’ clinic conveys an overview of the basic actions that make up the majority of the Princeton style of play.

7 Basic Actions of Princeton

7 Basic Actions of Princeton

Coach McDowell explains there are seven basic actions of the Princeton offense: 

ROD 1 

The ROD 1 is called so because it goes to the single side of the floor. 

From there, the ball gets passed to the pivot man, and then the passer goes and sets a screen for the player in the single side corner. The player receiving the screen can take a back cut, curl around the screen, or set up for a shot. The screener will then read the player’s actions and made a movement that reflects it. 

ROD 2

The ROD 2 is the same as ROD 1 except it goes to the double side of the floor, and the screen is set for the guard along the wing. 

REEL (Counter to ROD)

The REEL action is typically initiated when the initial entry pass to the pivot player isn’t available, which will prompt the ball handler to dribble to the other side of the floor where there are two offensive players. From there, the wing player can cut down into the paint, which will leave the corner player open, create potential back cuts, and otherwise open up options for the ball handler.  

CHIN

CHIN

CHIN action is initiated by the pivot player setting a backscreen for one of the guards. This will ideally make for an easy basket off the back-screen, but it can also facilitate the ball to get swung around the wing with back cuts, potential penetration into the paint, or an open three-point shot. 

If the pivot player is capable of shooting a three pointer, this initial back screen is a great way to open them up for a shot.

CHEST 

The CHEST action starts with the ball being delivered to the pivot player at the elbow, which then prompts the passer to set a down screen for the player in the corner. From there, this play essentially becomes a pick-and-roll without either having the ball. The screener will roll toward the basket while the person receiving the screen will head up the wing. 

5-OUT

5-OUT

The three basic Princeton entries for the 5-out are the Transition (center the ball at the top of the key), Elbow Pop (pivot player receives the ball at around the three-point line), and the PNP (starting with an off-ball screen from the pivot player to the opposite side wing which sets up Pick and Pop). 

2-Guard

The 2-guard alignment is predicated on back screen from the guards to the players in the corner. 

In any given possession, all of these basic actions could be implemented. This is how the Princeton offense gets its variation and remains unpredictable. 

Never get out-coached,

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P.S. Thank you Coach McDowell for sharing. If you are not yet a part of his membership you hav have all access for 9 bucks a month here --->