About the Princeton Offense System
5 min read • Video included
Why Princeton Offense?
The Princeton Offense was developed by coaching genius Pete Carril at Princeton University. It is a read-based offense that relies on player movement, cutting, and ball reversal to create high-percentage scoring opportunities. It doesn't require elite athleticism — it requires basketball IQ, unselfishness, and a willingness to make the extra pass.
The Princeton Offense is one of the most effective offensive systems in basketball. It has been used at every level of the game — from high school to the NBA. Coaches love it because it creates open shots through ball movement and player reads, not isolation plays or set plays that defenders can scout.
Pete Carril's Princeton Tigers famously upset UCLA in the 1996 NCAA Tournament using this system. Since then, the Princeton Offense has been adopted by coaches worldwide who want to maximize their team's potential regardless of athletic ability.
What Will You Learn About the Princeton Offense?
Our complete Princeton Offense Playbook covers every aspect of the system. Here's what you'll master:
The Chin Set
The foundation of the offense — dribble weave entries, backdoor cuts, and continuity reads.
Low Series
Post-up entries, pin screens, and high-low action from the low series alignment.
Point Series
Point guard driven entries with stagger screens and pick-and-roll options.
Backdoor Reads
How to read the defense and execute backdoor cuts for easy layups.
Ball Screens
Modern ball screen actions integrated into the Princeton framework.
Zone Offense
How to adapt the Princeton principles against zone defenses.
Transition Game
Quick hitters and secondary break options that flow into the Princeton sets.
Practice Drills
Specific drills to teach cutting, timing, spacing, and decision-making.
Who Is This For?
Whether you're a high school coach looking for an offense that maximizes your roster, a college assistant breaking down film, or a youth coach who wants to teach the right way to play basketball — the Princeton Offense is for you. This system teaches players how to read the defense, make decisions, and play unselfish basketball.
You don't need 5-star recruits. You need players who are willing to work hard, move without the ball, and trust the system. That's the beauty of the Princeton Offense — it works at every level because it's built on fundamentals, not athleticism.
Get the Complete Princeton Offense Playbook
87 pages of plays, sets, reads, drills, and coaching notes — everything you need to install the Princeton Offense with your team.
Get the Playbook — $39