The Chin Set: Foundation of the Princeton Offense

Start Chin with the correct spacing and a clear cutting cue. Player 3 cuts off 5 when the ball leaves 4 on its way to 2 on the wing. Player 5 backscreens for 3, then immediately sets the flare screen for 4. That timing connects the entry to the scoring action.

The starting alignment

The post, 5, begins on the ballside block. The forwards start one step above the free-throw line extended. The guards start elbow extended, about three to four feet above the three-point line. Use the ball to identify the strong side before the first dribble.

This is the starting alignment in the playbook. The post moves to the strongside elbow during the entry. Teach the starting position and the later screening position as separate moments.

Run the entry in order

1. On the strong side, 1 dribbles toward 3 for the handoff. Player 3 takes the handoff and returns to the guard position.
2. On the weak side, 2 and 4 exchange. Player 5 fills the strongside elbow.
3. Player 3 passes across the top to 4. Player 4 passes to 2 on the wing.
4. As the pass leaves 4, player 3 cuts off the backscreen from 5 and looks for the pass from 2 at the rim.
5. Player 5 immediately changes to a flare screen for 4. Player 2 reads the rim cut and the flare opportunity.

Keep the ball visible to the cutter. Leaving on the first reversal pass starts the cut too early. Waiting until 2 has held the ball can lose the passing window. The source cue is the release of the pass from 4.

Read denial without forcing the pass

If the pass from 4 to 2 is denied, 4 can dribble at 2 for the backdoor cut. Teach this as the response to that denied wing entry. It has a different trigger from 3's cut off the backscreen.

Finish the action when the first reads are covered

If 2 has no passing option, 2 dribbles up to the guard spot. Player 1 fills the other guard spot. Player 4 finishes the flare cut toward the rim, then fills the wing vacated by 1. Player 3 fills the other wing.

The ball can then reverse from 2 to 1 to 4. Player 2 makes the weakside UCLA cut off 5. The offense continues to the other side with the floor spots filled.

A pass to 5 stepping out at the top of the key changes the phase to 5 Out. Give players the action that starts the next phase. A covered first cut does not mean they should stop moving or improvise a different set.

Teach one piece, then restore the full action

Walk through the five-player entry until players can identify the strong side, the exchange and the pass-release cue. Isolate the passing and cutting detail that needs work, then return to all five players. A small breakdown cannot show both screens, every fill and the full continuation by itself.

The playbook's 3-on-0 Chin Cuts drill develops the flare options. Use it for that purpose, then reconnect the drill to the complete Chin entry. See the breakdown drills for the setup and rotations.

Chin High and Strongside

The following source pages add Chin High and Strongside options. Install them after the base entry is understood. Keep the diagrams and player numbers for the chosen option together so a counter does not accidentally replace the base action.

Watch the existing Chin lesson, then use the free excerpt below to follow printed pages 6 and 7.

Source: Lee DeForest's Princeton Offense Blueprint, printed pages 6-10.