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,

Coaches Clinic Community of Coaches Helping Coaches

P.S. Thank you Coach McDowell for sharing. We wanted coaches to be aware of something that he put together to help all coaches. 

A message from Coach Quinn McDowell

Modern basketball has evolved over the last several years to prioritize skilled players who know how to make decisions within the flow of the offense. Basketball has become less about set plays and more about players who know how to play together. It has become less about positions and more about learning how to read and react to the defense on the court. Skilled players who can thrive in systems that prioritize pace, space, and shooting are becoming more valuable than ever.

THE PRINCETON and 5-OUT SYSTEM are essential learning for any coach who wants to help their players THRIVE in modern basketball. Dive into the nuances of how the Princeton style offense will unlock your team. Subscribing to this membership will specifically allow you to:

(1) Give Your Team Great Spacing

The Princeton / 5-Out System lifts the 5 man away from the rim to open up space for cuts and drives to the basket - the 5 man operates from the elbows and top of the key opening up the lane to attack the rim.

(2) Maximize Your Personnel

The beauty of this Offense is that every perimeter player is truly “positionless”. Within this structure you can easily run PNR for some of your best players. Each action and perimeter position can be easily exchanged or interchanged depending on the matchup/personnel on the floor. You don’t need to waste time “getting the right spots” because each piece of the puzzle fits together on every single possession.

(3) Build the Perfect System for the Modern Game

The Princeton / 5-Out Offense is built to take and make a lot of threes while seamlessly flowing into ball screen action. The spacing of the perimeter players makes this the ideal offense for multiple floor spacers. Drive and kick opportunities are everywhere. Cuts to the paint, drives to the lane, and rolls to the rim will force the defense to collapse, giving your perimeter shooters wide open shots.

Study SYSTEMS not SET PLAYS

To become a great offensive coach I believe you need to study systems and structure more than set plays. I believe that when you understand the big picture of spacing, timing, and movement that you can build an offensive system that fits your personnel.

That's the thing about the Princeton and 5-Out Offense. Every action in these systems can be used on its own or incorporated as one piece of the larger puzzle. The actions seamlessly flow together in order to create a beautiful symphony of movement on the floor.

There is a reason that so many teams around the country are turning to this style of play. This system is tailor-made to maximize skilled players and give them a basic structure to be successful without having to call a "set" every time down the floor.

Is this WORTH $9 a month???

https://coachtube.com/membership/princeton-5-out-offense-premium-membership

For the last 15+ years as a former D1 College Player, an International Pro, a D1 College Coach, and now as a head coach with my own program. Not only have I played in this system, but I've scouted and studied teams all across the world who have used these offensive principles to build lethal offensive teams. As a head coach I'm CURRENTLY implementing these very same principles with my team. 

I believe in this style of play so much that I'm betting the success of my own program on it. I've spent years of my coaching and playing career devoted to learning how to best use these systems to unlock players' potential. I've seen first hand the transformation that is possible when a coach deeply understands these principles that allows their players to operate with freedom and fearlessness on the court. 

This membership is a MUST have for any coach who is serious about their craft. 

Here's what you'll get when you sign up:

• Private Access to Exclusive Princeton + 5-Out Content
• Regular Access to My Library of Princeton + 5-Out Videos and Posts
• Real Time Video from College and NBA Teams
• Practice Footage from MY OWN TEAM and How We Install
• Private Group Access for Questions
• Access to All Monthly Broadcasts
• 3 FREE Courses + Mastering the Princeton Playbook (60+ pages)
• Cancel ANYTIME

For the price of Starbucks order you can have unlimited access to my library of private content. Here's what a few coaches have said after they went through my material:

Any coach serious about the Princeton offense should sign up for this membership. It is really well done and extensive... a "must" for any coach using the Princeton or 5-Out offense.

- Dr. James Gels

Going through Mastering the Princeton and 5-out content has helped me to incorporate the Princeton into our offensive scheme in a simple and effective way. There's no better product out on the market.

- Brad Bjorkgren

https://coachtube.com/membership/princeton-5-out-offense-premium-membership

Thank you and have an amazing season,

-Quinn McDowell