Point Away: The Princeton Offense Away Read

Point Away names the passer's cut away from the ball after feeding the high post. In the base diagram, 1 passes to 5, cuts away to set a fake screen for 3, then receives the ball back. The action can lead to a lane-line drive or a ball screen that sets up the post and flare options.

Start with the Wave entry

Player 2 cuts through the elbow to help free 5 with a brush screen. Player 4 drops to the corner. Once 5 receives the entry at the elbow, 1 cuts away from the ball toward the fake screen for 3.

Give players the receiver and the next fill along with the cut. The fake screen should threaten the action without directing a player to seek illegal contact. Player 1 returns for the pass from 5.

Read the return catch

After receiving the return, 1 can attack the lane line. If 1 uses the ball screen, 5 screens and follows across the top of the lane. In this page 17 continuation, 5 does not roll to the basket.

The source allows an available elbow jump shot, but emphasizes the continuation toward the wing pass. Player 4 screens for 3 to get open on the wing. Player 1 passes to 3.

Keep the nonrolling instruction attached to this option. Point Over includes a rolling side-screen continuation. Teaching every Point ball screen with the same post movement changes the offense.

The post and flare choices

On the wing catch, 3 looks inside to 4 after 4 has screened and pivoted into a post position. Player 5 sets the flare for 1. Player 3 can feed the post or pass to 1 coming off that flare.

When 1 catches off the flare, 1 can attack the lane line. If the defender guarding 2 helps, the pass to 2 in the corner becomes available. Read the actual help rather than throwing the corner pass automatically.

If the ball enters 4 in the post, 4 first looks to score. Player 1 can finish the cut toward the rim when pressured. If 1's defender sags to help, 1 can remain available high for the shot and 5 can screen down to help create the catch.

What to do when the first score is covered

Printed page 18 follows the possession beyond the first flare or post feed. If 2 receives in the corner and has no shot, a dribble up to the guard spot reconnects the offense to Chin as the others relocate.

The later diagrams also show a pass to 5 at the top to establish 5 Out. Treat those as separate decisions with the ball and players in the positions shown. A post attack and kickout cannot happen while a different player still holds the ball at the top.

Handle a denied high-post entry first

Away begins after the pass to 5. If 5 is denied, use an entry response before trying to run the cut. The Point overview explains Pearl, where 1 keeps the ball and uses the spin dribble to key the backdoor and post-flare action.

The trap counter on printed page 19 belongs to the rolling Point Over sequence. Do not insert that numbered rotation into Away without teaching how the players reach it.

Use the matching breakdown drill

The 3-on-0 Wave Cuts drill on printed pages 57-58 practices the high-post entry, screen-away cut and return actions. The guard rebounds, the weakside wing rotates to the top, and the former post moves to the wing. The rebounder becomes the new post as the drill changes sides.

Lee lists return-catch options that include a shot, drive, kickout, wing pass and double cut. Rehearse one option at a time. Then put 4 and the remaining perimeter player back into the five-player action so the wing screen, post seal and flare have their real spacing.

Continue with Point Over, Point Under or the breakdown drill guide.

Source: Lee DeForest's Princeton Offense Blueprint, printed pages 17-18.