The Low Set: Princeton Offense Post-Entry System

Low begins when the ball enters the low post. The wing first looks inside. After the post catch, the perimeter players run the option the coach has taught. Keep that sequence clear so players know who has the ball and which read comes next.

Separate the wing catch from the post catch

In the diagram, 5 is on the ballside block, 3 is on the wing and 2 is at the top. Player 3 feeds 5. The next action belongs to the players moving around the post catch. The post can score when open.

The playbook's instruction is to establish one option before giving players choices. Choose the split or cut that fits the group, teach it with the correct spacing, and add another option when the first one is understood.

The high-post split

After the feed to 5, player 3 screens at the elbow for 2. Player 2 steps hard toward the basket and finishes the cut if open. If the cut is covered, 2 fills the wing vacated by 3. Player 3 then cuts to the rim for a possible pass from 5 and fills the corner. The weakside players rotate into the top and wing spots.

The split backcut and curl

In the backcut option, 2 reads the defense while approaching 3's screen and cuts behind the defender to the rim. Player 3 fills the strongside wing after attempting the screen. Player 2 finishes in the corner. Players 4 and 1 fill the top and other wing.

In the curl option, the defender plays tight on 2. Player 2 curls off 3's screen toward the rim for a pass from 5. The finish positions are the same as the backcut option: 2 in the corner, 3 on the strongside wing, 4 at the top and 1 on the other wing.

Those rotations differ from the first split option. Teach each complete diagram before combining choices. The post still has permission to score when the defense gives an opening.

The Laker cut

The Laker option sends the passer directly to the basket after feeding the post. Player 3 passes to 5 and cuts hard for the return pass. If the pass is unavailable, 3 fills the corner, 2 moves to the strongside wing, 4 fills the top and 1 fills the other wing. The playbook credits this option to Tex Winter's Triangle Offense.

Pass out, then make the wing decision

When the post has no scoring pass or shot, 5 can pass out to the perimeter. On the pass out, 5 moves toward the strongside elbow. The player receiving the ball on the wing now has the wing options.

• Post open: feed the post and use Low.
• Pass available to the top: pass up to enter the Point OUA options.
• No passing option: dribble up to the guard spot and continue into Chin.

Printed page 14 shows 5 passing to 2 on the wing before 2 dribbles at 4. Player 4 can backcut, with 5 moving toward the elbow to make space. If the cut is covered, the players fill the open spots and continue Chin. The wing must receive the ball before making this decision.

Teach the dribble-up connection to Chin first. Add the pass-up connection after players have learned Point, following the instruction on printed page 15.

Practice the Low split reads

1. Show one option with 5 in the post, 3 on the wing and 2 at the top. Rehearse the feed, screen, cut and finish positions.
2. Add a prescribed defensive response. For the curl, place the defender tight on 2 so the cutter can recognize the source's cue.
3. Let defenders choose among responses the players have already learned. Check the read, timing and pass separately from the shot result.
4. Restore players 4 and 1. Finish the actual rotations and continue through the wing options.

Return to the demonstrated option if the players lose the spacing. This practice progression applies the existing Low actions. It does not add a new offensive branch.

A separate post dribble-up option

Printed page 16 also gives a passing post a dribble-up option. Player 5 dribbles up the lane line, 2 backcuts and 3 fills the corner. If the scoring pass is unavailable, 5 can pass to 4 at the top, reestablish at the elbow and receive the return pass for Point. Keep this separate from the wing dribble-up that starts Chin.

Source: Lee DeForest's Princeton Offense Blueprint, printed pages 13-16.