Princeton Offense Actions: Chin, Low, Point, Twirl, Five-Out & X Set

Lee DeForest's playbook organizes the offense into Chin, 5 Out, Low, Point, Twirl and X. Each has a recognizable entry. A pass, dribble or cut can connect one phase to another. Use the player numbers in the chosen diagram so the right player makes the next decision.

Chin: handoff, reversal, backscreen and flare

Start 5 on the ballside block, the forwards one step above the free-throw line extended and the guards elbow extended above the arc. Player 1 hands off to 3 while 2 and 4 exchange. Player 5 fills the strongside elbow. The ball moves from 3 to 4 to 2 on the wing.

Player 3 cuts when the ball leaves 4. Player 5 backscreens 3, then immediately flares 4. The cut and flare give 2 consecutive reads. If the first options are covered, 2 dribbles up, the other players fill, and the reversal can lead to the weakside UCLA cut. A pass to 5 stepping out at the top changes the phase to 5 Out.

Teach the complete Chin sequence.

5 Out: the post has the ball at the top

Player 5 catches at the top and dribbles toward a wing. The wing can come over for a shot or backcut. In the high-school version, 5 later passes to the wing and cuts off a UCLA screen back to the block. The Air Force version allows a different player to remain inside for the possession.

Five players can begin outside while later cuts, screens and post-ups create interior action. Keep the ballhandler, cutter and player filling behind the cut clear. Compare the two 5 Out versions.

Low: feed the post, then run the perimeter option

Player 3 feeds 5 on the block. The playbook gives a high-post split, a split backcut, a curl and a Laker cut. In the curl, a defender playing tight on 2 creates the read around 3's screen. Teach one complete option before combining choices.

The wing decisions occur after the post passes out. A post feed restarts Low, a pass up can connect to Point, and a dribble up connects to Chin. The separate post dribble-up option on printed page 16 must retain its own cuts and return pass. Use the Low lesson and practice progression.

Point: the passer chooses Over, Away or Under

The Wave entry uses 2's cut through the elbow to help free 5. Player 1 feeds 5 at the elbow. With 5 holding the ball, 1 chooses the route. These names identify the passer's movement.

• Over: 1 cuts over the ball, fakes a screen for 4's backcut and pops for a return pass. The page 19 side ball screen has 5 roll.
• Away: 1 cuts away to fake a screen for 3, then returns for the ball. In the page 17 continuation, 5 follows across the lane instead of rolling.
• Under: 1 cuts to the rim. If covered, 4 screens 1 out to the wing and posts for the next feed.

If the entry to 5 is denied, Pearl gives the ballhandler a spin-dribble counter and a different sequence. Follow the Point entry and continuations.

Twirl: the Circle entry connects the floor

Player 1 passes to 3, the guards cut into the paint, and 5 moves high above the arc. On the pass from 3 to 5, the wings downscreen the guards back out. The wings keep those screens no lower than the free-throw line extended.

A reversal to the wing can put 5 on the block for Low. The later wing dribble-up connects to Chin. Circle Point and the high-screen, Twirl Over and Twirl Reverse options have separate diagrams. See the Twirl connections.

X: a different entry angle for familiar routes

Player 1 passes to 3, both guards fill the corners, and 3 feeds 5 high. Now 3 is the passer choosing the route. In X Over, 3 fakes a screen for 4's backcut and uses 1's baseline screen for the return. X Under sends 3 to the rim. X Away uses 3's downscreen and 1's backdoor rejection.

Keep the X player assignments with the X diagram. Substituting the Point entry's numbers puts the wrong player in the first cut. Teach X and its next action.

Install the connection that the players need

Begin with a usable base action and its continuation. Printed page 15 teaches the wing dribble-up to Chin before adding the pass-up after Point has been learned. A team can use a small portion of the playbook while building passing, timing and recognition.

Use the source breakdown drills for the difficult detail, then restore all five players and finish the possession. A successful first cut is useful evidence. Players also need to know where to go when that cut is covered.

Teaching reference: Lee DeForest's Princeton Offense Blueprint, printed pages 6-30.