What this version covers
The weak-side pair provides an attacking option when the sideline triangle is covered.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
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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
Pass to the corner, then cut to the basket
One Triangle example: three players form a triangle on the ball side, with two players on the other side. This shows a corner pass and cut, one part of the full offense. Defenders are not shown. Each step explains what to do if the defense reacts as described. Player spots are examples.
1–5 are players on offense. X1–X5 are defenders. Each number stays with the same player in every step; it does not lock that player into a position.
Diagram 1 of 4
1. Start three players on the ball side
2, 3 and 5 form a triangle. 1 and 4 stay on the other side. If the pass to 5 near the basket is blocked, 2 passes to 3 in the corner.
Diagram key
- Offense
- Defense
- Coach
- Neutral
- Ball
- Cone
- Cut
- Dribble
- Pass
- Screen
- Hand-off
- Shot
- Def. slide
Use Previous and Next beside the court, or choose a numbered step. Arrows on the court show where players or the ball move. CoachAssist drew this example; it does not show every way to run the scheme.
Our two visual examples cover a corner decision. This original teaching reference also identifies the weak-side game and entry issues that must be taught separately; it is not a complete Triangle installation.
In this guide · jump to a topic
Starting jobs and useful space
Three on the ball side; two with a purpose opposite
In our default, 2 is on the wing, 3 in the corner and 5 inside. Players 1 and 4 form the opposite pair. Begin by having each group show its own passing angles, then connect them. The opposite pair should not drift into the ball-side action simply because it has not received yet.
The inside player needs room to catch, face or protect the ball. When a teammate cuts, check whether that route opens the area or brings another defender directly into it. Numbering differs across diagrams and sources; identify the role and side before comparing numbers.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Keep the possession going
Use the available side and restore useful jobs
Teach the corner-pass decision from a settled start. If the return cut is covered, retain the ball and use the separate screen-and-reversal example. Once the ball changes sides, identify the new wing, corner and inside target before calling the next action.
Do not make the possession depend on a single low-post entry. In practice, let defenders remove that pass and require the offense to retain a visible outside connection. Then introduce the opposite pair as its own small-group lesson. Connecting two understood pieces is more useful than memorizing a long route with no defensive choices.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Decisions against the defense
The corner return is covered
When: The cutter reaches the lane without a safe pass.
Do this: Keep the ball and let the cutter clear before beginning the next screen.
Then: Use the linked reversal only after its receiving side is ready; do not pass to an imagined opening.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
The ball-side options are crowded
When: The wing cannot safely enter inside or pass to the corner.
Do this: Keep the opposite pair visible as a way out. Teach its catch and exchange separately before using it in live five-on-five.
Then: If that side is also covered, protect possession and reorganize rather than attempt a blind cross-court pass.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
What to emphasize
- Teach where each player stands and one way to start the play. Then add other options.
Problems, fixes and checks
A fourth player crowds the triangle
Problem: An opposite-side player follows the ball into the same area.
Try this correction: Freeze and ask which job that player left empty.
Check: Both sides must remain connected by a reachable pass.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Every possession must enter the post
Problem: Players throw through denial to start the pattern.
Try this correction: Allow a complete practice possession in which the inside player never catches.
Check: Reward a good decision to use another side, not completion of a required entry.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Versions and diagram coverage
Covered corner cut into reversal
Changes: read, continuation.
- Our linked route continues when the give-and-go is unavailable.
When to use it: Walk the cutter’s exit before the ball screen begins.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Weak-side game and alternate entries
Changes: setup, entry, read.
- The weak-side elbow game and dribble entry remain written-only here. They are meaningful differences, not another name for the corner give-and-go.
When to use it: Teach the relevant pair first; do not claim these two pictures cover the entire offense.
Written variant · this option does not have its own walkthrough here.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
How to teach it
Choose the level that matches what your players can do now. These steps work for boys and girls. Start simpler if players need more practice.
Practice it step by step
See three different receiving places
Set it up: Three attackers without defenders: wing, corner and inside.
- Pass among the three without crowding the receiver.
- Add one cut with an outside exit when covered.
Add more when: Each player can describe the others’ jobs.
Check it in play
- Do not turn every pass into a basket cut.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
CoachAssist wrote these teaching steps. They are not an exact copy of any coach’s practice plan.
What can go wrong and how to adjust
- This system takes time to learn. Other offenses may use similar cuts and screens without using the full Triangle system.
Coaches and teams that use it
Tex Winter · Phil Jackson · Chicago Bulls
The source follows Triangle from Sam Barry to Tex Winter and Phil Jackson’s Bulls. This page introduces part of that offense.
Drills for this scheme · steps and diagrams
The level selector changes the teaching steps above. It does not change these drills. Check the number of players, equipment and difficulty before using a drill.
Post Entry Angles Drill
Court diagram · view the drill first
Builds a skill used in this scheme: 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.
Ways to adapt the drill
- 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
Builds a skill used in this scheme: 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.
Ways to adapt the drill
- 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 and what we could confirm
The sources support the system guide. CoachAssist created the practice steps and checks; they are suggestions, not tested programs or a coach’s full playbook. The linked drills practice parts of the system.
The main ideas are supported by the sources below. These sources do not cover every possible version.
- Triangle Offense
James A. Gels · Coach's Clipboard · publication date not listed
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.
- The Triangle Offense (Part 2) – the 2-Man Game
James A. Gels · Coach’s Clipboard · publication date not listed
Public weak-side options and Diagram 20 visually checked. No member animation used; automatic openings and mismatch assumptions excluded.