Princeton Offense - Basic Continuity

| Phase 1. Entry | Phase 2. Exchanges | Phase 3. Post Action |

The Princeton Offense normally starts out in a 2-3 high post alignment. Basic action is begins on
either side of the court by executing any one of the various pass or dribble entries available. Phase two
consists of a series of exchanges and/or down screens. In Phase three, is initated with the high post
making a basket cut. Phase one repeats with post flashing to the middle for possible backdoor action.
If/when the backdoor is not available, the basic action continues by flowing directly into another entry.

Phase 1. Entry (High Post Set)

The Prince Offense entries are automatic, and are triggered according to the ballhandler's pass or
dribble. On a pass to wing the ball handler makes a "Give & Go" The guard to guard pass keys an off
guard shuffle or Hawk cut. A post pass initiates high post split action. Dribble entries include mid
screen, dribble clear, and dribble weave options.

Hawk Entry Mid Screen Entry UCLA Entry

Ballhandler O1 passes to O2 and makes a
rubs off O5. O1 passes to O4 and cuts to
basket. O4 looks to feed O1 or O2 if o2's
defender X2 loses vision on the ball.
O2 clears to opposite corner as ballhandler
O1 drives off O5's high post screen. O1 has
option or turning the corner and driving to
the basket or passing to wing o4 and cutting
to the basket.
Strongside guard O1 makes a wing entry pass to O4
and rubs off O5’s high post screen to basket. Note: O1
also has option of making a direct "Give & Go" cut to
basket.
 Dribble Clear Entry High Post Entry Weave Entry

O1 dribbles clears wing O4. O1 looks to feed
O4 on back cut to basket or post up.
Ball handler O1 passes to high post O5. O1
and O2 cut directly to basket looking for
possible feed from O5.
Against a sagging defense, O1 dribbles directly toward
wing O4's defender and then makes a short pass out to
O4 moving out. In most cases, in the Princeton
Offense's weave action, short kick out passes are used
instead of dribble handoffs.

Phase 2. Exchanges (No Post Set)

Exchanges and constant ball movement are the heart of the offense. This phase is where the majority
of ball control takes place. This constant motion sets up the open backcuts and " Give & Go" cuts
which are the trademarks of the Princeton Offense.

Wing Exchanges Down Screens Back Cuts

If O4 does not pass to O1, O4 makes a
reversal pass out to O5. Wings O3 and O4
then exchange with O1 and O2. O5 looks
to feed O1 or O2 for an open shot. Note:
O5 should be alert to pass to either O3 or
O4 on a basket cut anytime their defender
loses vision on the ball.
On pass out to O5, O3 and O4 have option
of setting down screens with O1 and O2
rather than exchanging. After screening O3
and O4 pop out to keep middle open.
On O4’s pass out to O5, any time O1
or O2 are overplayed or the defense
anticipates the exchange, O1 and O2
have the option of back cutting to the
basket rather than coming off a down
screen or exchanging.

Base Cross Post Back Cut Post 1-on-1 Isolation

If not open on basket cuts, O1 and O2
have option of crossing under the basket.
This is especially effective on the high post
entry. Note: O1 and O2 also have the
option of faking the cross and popping out
directly off of O3's and O4's down screens.
Any time the pass out to O5 is overplayed
or denied, O5 quickly back cuts to basket
for shot
O5 always has green light to drive
hard to the basket when O5 can beat
the defender. O5 also has an open
shot opportunity if the defender sags
off.

Phase 3. Post Action (Low Post Set)

Anytime the high post makes a basket cut, the offense flows into a four out low post alignment.
However, because of a lack of dominate post players, post ups have the tendency to be more for kick
out passes to outside shooters than they are for scoring. The post flashes into middle looking for
possible backdoor action if/when they do not receive ball on post up.
 Post Basket Cut Post Up Backdoor Action

When O5 passes to either wing, O5
cuts to the basket anticipating a pass
from O2 or O3 when the defender X5
loses vision of ball. If O5 does not
receive ball on basket cut, O5 posts
up.
03 looks to feed 05 isolated 1-on-1 in
low post area. O5 has option of
scoring or making a kick out skip
pass to O1 or O2 or O4 spotting up
for outside shots..
When O5 does not receive ball on
post up, O2 dribbles out for spacing
and O5 flashes into middle. If/when
O1 or O2 passes to O5 on flash, O5
looks to feed O3 or O4 on back cuts
to basket.

Post Lob

Any time defender X5 denies O5

flash cut into the middle, O5 back
cuts to the basket for possible over
the top lob pass.

Continuity - Back to Phase 1.

If/when post O5 does not receive pass on flash to middle, the Princeton Offense flow directly back
into any of the phase 1 entries determined by the defensive deployment.