Point Under: The Princeton Offense Under Read

Point Under sends the passer to the rim after the high-post entry. In the source diagram, 1 feeds 5 and sprints for the return pass. If 1 is covered, 4 screens for the turnout to the wing and becomes a post target.

Under names the passer's route. It is not a rule to run a baseline cut whenever a defender goes under a ball screen. Read the actual starting position and movement in the Point diagram.

Set up the high-post catch

Player 2 is waved through the elbow and helps 5 get open with a brush screen. Player 4 drops to the corner. Player 1 passes to 5 at the elbow, then makes the rim cut.

Player 5 looks for the cutter while holding the ball. If the pass is unavailable, 1 completes the cut and uses 4's screen to turn out to the wing. Player 4 posts after the screen, available for a high-low feed from 5 or a wing feed from 1.

Fixed-post continuation

In the high-school version on printed page 22, 4 backscreens for 5 to return inside. Player 4 then fills the open spot at the top, and 1 has the wing options.

• Feed the open post to enter Low.
• Pass to the top to connect to Point.
• Dribble up to the guard spot to continue Chin when the passing options are covered.

Here 4 screens for 5. Reversing those roles changes which player returns to the post.

Changing-post continuation

The Air Force option keeps 4 as the post for the possession and moves 5 to the perimeter. Player 5 sets a fake screen for 3, who cuts to the rim as 2 fills the wing. Player 5 then returns to the top to balance the floor.

This is an alternative to returning 5 inside. Teach one version first so the players know who is posting and who must fill the top.

The later pivot-change sequence

Printed page 23 extends the changing-post action. Player 5 dribbles toward 3, who backcuts while 2 replaces on the wing. When 2 receives the ball, a shot or post feed may be available. Player 5 can downscreen for 4 to come to the top.

After 4 receives from 2, 4 reverses to 1 on the opposite wing. Player 3 fills the corner and 5 moves toward the elbow on the reversal. The source also identifies a duck-in opportunity for 5 on the pass to 4.

The following diagram has 5 backscreening 4 toward the post while 1 looks for the cut. This later screen has the opposite assignments from the fixed-post backscreen on page 22. Both belong in the system, but they occur in different sequences.

Keep the ball path and the reads together

A wing-to-post pass and a high-low pass start from different positions. When 1 has the ball on the wing, describe the post feed from 1. When 5 or 4 holds the ball high, identify that player as the high-low passer. Players need the actual receiver and passing lane.

The downscreen for 4 on page 23 follows the pivot change and wing pass. It is not the automatic second action after every Under cut. Complete the selected version before adding its later branches.

Practice the first decision before adding branches

1. Rehearse 1's feed to 5 and rim cut. The post checks the passing window.
2. Add 4's turnout screen and post-up when the rim pass is covered.
3. Choose the fixed-post or changing-post finish and add the remaining players.
4. Introduce defense and verify that the players finish their cuts and fills before the next wing decision.

Judge the pass and cut from the available lane. A fixed one-second passing deadline does not account for the defender. Use the source movement and the actual timing of the opening.

Return to the Point overview to compare Under with Over and Away. Each route needs its own continuation and player assignments.

Source: Lee DeForest's Princeton Offense Blueprint, printed pages 22-23.