Princeton offense

Purpose

When a defender denies the wing pass, an agreed dribble toward that wing cues a cut behind the defender and a controlled entry pass.

Set it up

Three players: top handler, wing cutter and guided denial defender, one ball. Leave the lane and landing space clear; a full two-on-two progression needs four players. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.

Run the drill

1. Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
2. The wing moves toward the ball so the handler can identify the defender’s position.
3. When the handler dribbles toward the wing on the agreed cue, the wing changes direction and cuts behind the defender through a clear route toward the basket.
4. The passer leads a controlled catch if the window is open. If not, keep the ball and let the cutter clear.
5. Finish or reset, then rotate the three roles and rehearse the other side.
6. End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.

Scoring

Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.

Coach the details

• Dribble-at is the selected cue in this drill, not an instruction for every offense.
• Use a pass suited to the actual window; neither a bounce pass nor a backcut guarantees success.
• Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.
• Screens begin without contact. Establish a balanced, stationary position with the time and space required by the competition rules; keep arms in and do not lean, hold, shove or step into an approaching defender. Decline the action when legal clearance is unavailable.

Variations & provenance

• Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
• The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.

Purpose

A guard-to-guard pass, a screen near the free-throw line for a basket cut, and a return catch by the screener prepare the next wing decision.

Set it up

Five attackers: two guards, two wings and a high post, one ball. Start without defenders and review legal backscreen clearance before adding opposition. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.

Run the drill

1. Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
2. Pass guard to guard; the high post establishes a stationary backscreen for the original passer’s route.
3. The passer uses the screen for a basket cut only after it is set, then clears if no safe pass is available.
4. The screener opens back to the high post for the next pass.
5. On the high-post catch, a wing reads whether to remain available or backcut into clear space.
6. End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.

Scoring

Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.

Coach the details

• This is the legacy record’s actual UCLA-entry sequence, not a verified complete Point Over, Under or Away series.
• A high-post catch is a read cue; it does not require every wing to backcut.
• Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.
• Screens begin without contact. Establish a balanced, stationary position with the time and space required by the competition rules; keep arms in and do not lean, hold, shove or step into an approaching defender. Decline the action when legal clearance is unavailable.

Variations & provenance

• Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
• Displayed title and description correct an overbroad legacy Point-series label. No new Princeton branch has been invented.
• The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.