Coach ,

The Princeton offense is one of the toughest offenses to defend in the game of basketball.

As an opposing coach, it is tough to get your players ready for the game plan of defending the action because of all the different reads.

The Princeton concepts are some of the most highly used actions in basketball from the middle school to professional levels. It utilizes all the fundamentals of basketball: dribbling, cutting, passing, and shooting.

The screening angles in the split actions are extremely hard to defend - and the back-cutting opportunities are perfect against denial defense.

Coach Chris Dorsey has been running the Princeton offense for over 12 years at the collegiate level as the head coach at Centenary College.

 In 2020, Coach Dorsey coached his team to the Southern College Conference Championship, and he was awarded coach of the year in the conference.

Coach Dorsey’s Princeton offense includes 5 stages:

1. Point Series
2. Wing Entry (Transition)
3. Low Post Entry
4. Return
5. Chin

Here are three of actions he teaches: 

#1 Princeton Offense: Rub-Elbow Action

The rub-elbow action is a beautiful action that creates all kinds of nightmares for defenses.

The point guard will throw the basketball to the center who is located around the elbow. 

The first option for the point guard after throwing the pass is the give and go. 

The second option for the point guard after throwing the pass is running opposite and setting a screen for the player on the elbow-extended wing.

The player coming off the screen will read the defenders to determine what to do off the screen.

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#2 Princeton Offense: Phase 3 - Low Post Entry

The low post entry in the Princeton offense creates balance inside and outside.

On a post entry, that triggers split action.

The passer who throws the ball into the post will screen the player at the top. 

If the post player decides to throw the basketball back out then he/she would follow right into a ball screen. 

#3 Princeton Offense: Michigan 2 Guard Offense

The Princeton offense concepts have evolved into different alignments. 

The Michigan 2 Guard Offense is one of the most famous offenses that the Princeton offense concepts are a staple within. 

The 2 guard offense consists of a 2-3 High alignment -- a 2 guard front. 

There are many different actions that can be run out of the 2 guard offense. One of the most common actions is the shuffle double. 

The shuffle double consists of a shuffle screen being set for a player to run and post up. Then after the shuffle screen is set, a big will set a pin down to bring that player off for a shot. 

There is a false notion that the Princeton Offense is hard to teach because of all the concepts. 

Coach Dorsey does a great job of simplifying the concepts and explaining how to teach the Princeton Offense

Never get out-coached,

-- The Coaches Clinic Community of Coaches Helping Coaches

P.S if you’re interested in more Princeton Offense experts analysis and training see below:

Mastering the Princeton Offense

Princeton Continuity Offense

Princeton System Drills Blueprint

The Princeton Offense Playbook (With 50+ Drills)