offense
Triangle offense
A wing, a corner teammate, and a player near the basket form a triangle on the ball side. Two teammates stay on the opposite side. Players choose passes, cuts, and screens based on the defense; simply standing in a triangle is not the whole offense.
How it runs
Use the corner of the three-player side
1. Establish the three-player side
2, 3 and 5 form the ball-side triangle. 1 and 4 remain on the opposite side. If the post entry is covered, 2 passes to 3 in the corner.
Notation
- Offense
- Defense
- Coach
- Neutral
- Ball
- Cone
- Cut
- Dribble
- Pass
- Screen
- Hand-off
- Shot
- Def. slide
A Triangle corner-pass and cut variation. The ball-side wing, corner and post are paired with two opposite-side receivers; this is not a complete Triangle installation. Defenders are omitted; captions state the chosen read. Spacing is illustrative.
Original CoachAssist teaching illustration, not a complete playbook. Arrows show the action from the displayed starting positions. Read each caption before advancing.
Reads and decisions
- Read post entry, handoff, reversal and screening options.
- Wing denial can prompt dribble entry or reversal.
What to emphasize
- Teach spacing and one entry before linking alternatives.
How to teach it
Choose current readiness, not gender or an assumed ceiling. Simplify whenever players need it.
New to basketball
- One idea to notice: Maintain the three-player side and a useful receiver on the opposite side.
- Use a manageable ball, short passing distances and a comfortable shooting range. Rehearse only one movement at a time; screening begins without contact.
- Let players explain or point to the open space. Stop for a short demonstration, then let them try again without a score or speed quota.
Level progressions are original coaching adaptations, not claims that a cited coach uses this exact sequence.
Tradeoffs, counters & terminology
- The system has a meaningful learning burden. It is not identical to every split-action offense.
Documented coaches & teams
Tex Winter · Phil Jackson · Chicago Bulls
The reference traces the system from Sam Barry through Winter and its use with Jackson’s Bulls; this page is an introduction, not the complete team offense.
Matching drills · steps and diagrams
Teaching level changes the lesson above, not these drills automatically. Check each drill’s players, equipment, skill and coaching adaptations before running it.
Post Entry Angles Drill
Court diagram · view the drill first
Supporting fundamental: Practices passing angles from the wing and corner when a defender denies the post catch, preparing the ball-side triangle. It is not Triangle passing or a complete Triangle offense.
Practice selecting a post-entry angle when the defender is behind the receiver, partly to one side, or in front.
4–12 players · 5–10 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
Practice selecting a post-entry angle when the defender is behind the receiver, partly to one side, or in front.
Set it up
Four players: passer, post, cooperative defender and waiting passer. Use one passing spot at a time, with markers outside the route and one ball. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Run the drill
- 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.
- The defender shows a declared position; the passer moves the feet to create a visible target-side angle.
- With defense behind or to one side, select an available bounce or overhead entry away from the defender.
- Against a defender positioned in front of the post, consider an over-the-top pass only when help and landing space are clear; otherwise move or reset the ball.
- Post catches balanced and makes a controlled finish or return pass. Change passing spot and rotate roles.
- 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
- Choose the pass from the defender and help position, not from the passing spot alone.
- Shorten passing distance when control is inconsistent; do not throw a lob into a crowd.
- 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.
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.
Feed the Post and Slide
Court diagram · view the drill first
Supporting fundamental: Connects a pass to the post with a teammate moving to the corner and a choice to pass back outside; it omits the Triangle’s opposite-side two-player actions.
A wing feeds a post, then relocates to an open corner window for an inside-out read.
4–10 players · 6–12 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
A wing feeds a post, then relocates to an open corner window for an inside-out read.
Set it up
Four players: top passer, wing, post and cooperative post defender, with one ball. Leave room for the wing’s relocation and the post’s landing. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Run the drill
- 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.
- The wing gets open for the top pass and faces the post.
- Post presents a legal target; wing creates a clear passing angle and feeds the available hand.
- The wing relocates to the corner as the post catches and reads the defender.
- Post chooses a controlled finish, return pass or reset; rotate all four roles.
- 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
- Do not grab or displace the defender to hold a post position.
- Relocation creates a possible window, not an obligation to shoot or a guarantee that a double-team disappears.
- 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.
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.
Sources & evidence notes
The system description and source links are reviewed references. Level progressions and evaluation ideas are original CoachAssist teaching adaptations, not tested prescriptions or a named coach’s complete playbook. Supporting drills develop ingredients; they do not automatically install the whole system.
Evidence status: established. Sources support the specific claims described here, not every possible version of the system.
- Triangle Offense
James A. Gels · Coach's Clipboard · publication date not listed
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.