Top 10 Princeton Offense Drills Every Coach Should Run

The Princeton Offense lives or dies based on how well your players execute the reads in practice. You can explain the system on a whiteboard all day, but unless your players have drilled the reads at game speed with live defense, they won't execute when it matters. Here are the ten drills that build the foundation.

1. Three-Man Read Drill

Three players, three spots on the floor, one ball. The ball handler makes the entry pass, the receiver reads the defense, and the third player reacts. Simple, repeatable, and it isolates the fundamental read of the Chin Set. Run this drill every practice for the first two weeks of installation.

2. Five-Spot Spacing Drill

All five players rotate through five spots on the floor, passing the ball and maintaining proper spacing. No defense. The goal is spacing awareness — knowing where to be relative to the ball and your teammates. This drill prevents the "bunching" that kills the Princeton Offense.

3. Backdoor Cut Drill

Essential for the Twirl Set and all sets against aggressive man-to-man defense. One player denies the pass, the offensive player reads the denial and cuts backdoor. The passer must recognize the backdoor opportunity and deliver the pass on time.

4. Post Entry Decision Drill

The post catches the entry pass and reads the defense: pass to the cutter, kick to the perimeter, or go one-on-one. This drill is the heart of the Low Set and Chin Set. The post must develop the vision to see the whole floor after catching inside.

5. Shell Drill (Princeton Version)

Standard shell drill, but instead of running defined cuts, your offense runs reads. Start with the Chin Set reads, then progress to other sets as your team advances. This is the closest thing to live game simulation and should be a daily staple.

6. Drive-and-Kick Rotation Drill

Essential for the Point Set and Five Out. One player drives, the other four rotate. The focus is on the rotation — who fills which spot — so that the floor is always spaced after a drive.

7. Two-on-Two Read Drill

Two offensive players against two defenders, running the basic entry-and-cut read. This isolates the decision-making in a smaller, more manageable scenario. Great for players who are struggling with the full five-on-five offense.

8. Counter Recognition Drill

The defense is told to take away a specific option (deny the entry, switch on screens, etc.). The offense must recognize what the defense is doing and execute the correct counter. This builds the adaptability that makes the Princeton Offense so effective in games.

9. Transition-to-Halfcourt Drill

Start with a fast break. If the break doesn't produce a shot, immediately transition into a Princeton Offense set. This teaches your players to seamlessly switch from fast-break mode to halfcourt reads — a skill that saves possessions in games.

10. Scrimmage with Constraints

Full five-on-five scrimmage, but the offense must call and run a specific set before shooting. This forces your team to practice running specific sets under game conditions. Rotate through all six sets during the scrimmage to build comfort with each one.

These ten drills form the core of your practice plan. Run them consistently, increase the speed gradually, and your team will execute the Princeton Offense with confidence.