Simplifying the Triangle Offensive

The following article was provided by Steve Mergelsberg, Assistant Basketball Coach, Rutgers University !ewark, !ewark, !"#", U"S"A" The si$plified high school Triangle retains the sa$e basic concepts as the Te% &inter original" Spacing is the first concern the players have to set up '( to ') feet apart to prohibit the defence fro$ crowding an area and harrying the passing"

Basic Triangle
&e set up our Triangle *+ , (- on one side of the floor and set up the two re$aining players in tande$ fashion on the other side" Coaching point. The nu$bers in the diagra$ do not represent positions" They are $erely the players who happen to be in those positions now" /n short, we do not play with guards, forwards, and centres" &e do not refer to the players as 's, 0s, +s, ,s, or (s" They are '(s1 *Add up all the nu$bers and you get '(- 2our players have to learn all the positions"

Tandem Entry
3' has the ball and 30 $oves up the side to the free throw line e%tended" Several things can happen at this point. 3' can pass to 30 and cut off hi$ for a hand off" 3' can pass to 30, cut over hi$, and then pick and roll with hi$" 4n the Triangle side, $eanwhile, 3+ and 3, $ove into the block *low post- area to set a double screen for 3(" The latter will take his player behind the screen, then pop out toward the tande$ side *5ust above the free throw line- for the pass fro$ 30 *providing 30 did not hand off to 3'-"

Switch Shoes
/f 3( does not get the ball *in 6iagra$ 0-, he continues his route to the other side to for$ the Triangle with 3' and 30" 3' has continued his cut *shown in 6iagra$ 0- and now looks for a pass fro$ 30 and a 5u$p shot7 or 30 can pass to 3' and slide the lane to play a two $an ga$e

with 3', as that side of the floor will usually be open" 30 can also turn and face up with his defender for a one on one situation" 3, will glide up to the tande$ post, while + pops to the top *as shown in 6iagra$ +-" /f 3' has the ball in the corner, 3( can duck into the lane and get a pass fro$ 3' for an easy lay up or dish off" As you can see, the Triangle and tande$ are now on opposite sides of the floor" As we proceed, we are going to start every entry with the Triangle and tande$ in these positions"

Triangle Entry from Corner

3(, with ball, passes to 3, in the corner to start the series, while 3+ steps up to pick for 3(, who cuts off 3+ to the hoop, looking for a pass fro$ 3," /f 3( fails to get this pass, he runs a route across the lane and curls around 30 looking for the pass fro$ 3," /f he still does not get the pass, he will drift to for$ the Triangle on the left side with 30 and 3'" As 3( is running through the lane, 3+ sets a pick for 3, and looks to play a little pick and roll with hi$" /f nothing $ateriali8es fro$ the Corner 9ntry, 3, will dribble to the top and 3+ will go to the low block to for$ the other half of the tande$" :layers 3(, 30 and 3' will $ake up the Triangle on the left side"

Triangle Entry from Post

3( passes to 3+ in the post, while 3, runs baseline, looking for a backdoor pass fro$ 3+" Meanwhile, 3' 5oins 30 in a double screen and 3, curls around it, looking for the pass fro$ 3+" /f 3, does not get the pass, he proceeds to the top to for$ the Triangle with 30 and 3'" 3 0 then flares to the corner" 3( can cut off 3+ for a hand off or play a two $an ga$e with 3+ as soon as 3, clears out" /f nothing happens, 3+ will dribble out and 3( will go to the post to for$ the tande$ side" 3+ can also face up and go one on one with his defender"

Triangle Options
Triangle Post Option
3( *with ball- passes to 3' $oving toward the$, as 3+ locks out his defender, and then steps into the lane for the ;uick pass fro$ 3' and $akes a lay up"

Tandem Backdoor Option.

30 steps toward the baseline, then 5ab steps and co$es up court for a pass fro$ 3( at the Triangle elbow" 3' takes two or three steps to the left and cuts toward the basket for the pass fro$ 30"

Tandem Screen-And-Shoot Option.

The players proceed as in 6iagra$ ( until 3,, instead of curling around the double tea$ *0 '-, swerves into the corner, looking for the skip pass fro$ 3+ and a 5u$p shot"

Triangle Pop-And- Shoot Option.

:lay proceeds as shown in 6iagra$ 0 with 3' passing to 30 and then cutting over hi$ while 3( fakes a cut around the + , double screen and $oves into the near corner for the long skip pass fro$ 30" /f 3( fails to receive the pass, he can cut over the screen and look for a pass fro$ 30 and a shot fro$ the free throw line area, or he $ay cut under the double screen and look for a pass under the basket for an easy lay up" The Triangle 4ffense gives the players a lot of freedo$ with which to use their talents to the $a%i$u$" As the players beco$e fa$iliar with the offense, they will find a lot of opportunities for dish offs as the defence tries to ad5ust" 2ou can also have your tande$ players e%change positions, back screen, or down screen" Above all, you $ust strive for top flight e%ecution" 2ou will need the proper spacing, passing, changing speeds, and good changes of direction, to keep the defence working hard"

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