Triangle Post
A comprehensive look into the offense that has won the most NBA championships
What to Discover or Recall . . .
The Triangle Post Offense is unique in that it uses a system of defensive recognition rather than a series of set plays.
The Triangle Post Offense is based solely on sound principles, precise court spacing, and execution of fundamentals.
It is excellent for utilizing good low post players, especially those who can pass.
It allows for outstanding player movement within a structured format.The Triangle Post Offense was created, developed and refined over the years by Tex Winter. It is a system of defensive recognition and execution consisting of a sideline triangle on one side of the court and a two man game on the other. Every player is involved at all times and, therefore, must know the options for each spot on the court and be well schooled in basketball fundamentals and footwork.
Basically, the Triangle Post Offense consists of three components: Entry, sideline triangle and a weakside two game. Since offensive options are dictated by what the defense is doing, players need to be efficient in recognizing and attacking defensive deployment. With the defense being occupied by constant player movement, the most skilled players can take advantage of One-on-One penetration with the clock moving down.
| Spacing | Entries | Post Options | Two Game | Automatics | Installing | Game Strategy | Case for Defense |
Triangle Post Schematic Sequence
Offensive Fundamentals Required
Proper Court Spacing
The importance of floor spacing is critical and a key factor in the success of the Triangle Offense. Players are spaced between 15 and 20 feet at all times. This precise spacing spreads the defense in order to prevent or discourage any defensive help or double teaming, and at the same time it provides for sharp, accurate passing. This spreading of the defense also clears out the basket area allowing for one-on-one post play, drives, basket cuts and slices, and post splits.
Since sideline triangles can be quickly formed on either side of the court, the defense is forced to defend the entire court from sideline to sideline at all times. In addition, it can strike the weakside of the defense with lighting speed with a two person attack at any time.
Alignment Left
Alignment Right
Sideline Triangle Entries
Unlike most offenses, the triangle offense does not rely on a single entry pass. On the contrary, it has a magnitude of entries. In fact, any pass and/or dribble can initiate the triangle offense which makes it very difficult for any defenses to disrupt. Although team personnel will favor certain entries, the defense deployment will ultimately dictate which entry to use.
Methods of Forming Sideline Triangle
| Outside | Inside | Dribble | Off Guard | Pop | Base | Reversal | Weave | Exchange | Flop|
Guard Outside Cut Entry
Point guard O1 passes to wing O3 and makes cuts outside to corner. Wing O3 has the option of making a reverse pivot hand-off to O1.
Hand-off & Drive
When defender X1 trails O1, upon receiving a hand-off from O3, O1 turns the corner and drives hard to the basket.
Hand-off & Jumper
When the defender X1 goes under O3's reverse pivot hand-off, O1 has option of pulling up for a jump or bank shot.
Hand-off & Roll
When the defense switches against the hand-off, O1 looks to feed O3 rolling to basket or posting up against smaller defender X1.
Guard Inside Cut Entry
Anytime the defender X1 overplays and disrupts O1's outside cut, O1 makes an inside cut to the corner.
Basket Cut. When O1's defender X1 trails, plays to the inside or turns back to the passer O3, O1 cuts straight to the basket for shot. If O1 does not receive a pass from O3, O1 can empty out to either corner to establish the sideline triangle. Opposite Corner. When O1 makes a basket cut and empties out to the opposite corner, wing O3 can feed post O5 fro solo cut action or make a reversal pass out to O2. Wing O4 pops out and post O5 rotates across the lane to complete the sideline triangle.
Dribble Clear Entry
When a direct pass to wing O3 is not available, guard O1 dribbles to the wing with O3 rotating down to the corner spot.
Back Cut. When O3's defender X3 overplays the passing lane, O3 back cuts to the basket for feed from O1 and shot. O1 also has option of passing to post O5 who in turns feeds O3 on back cut.
Opposite Corner. O3 does not receive pass on back cut, O3 can empty to either corner. When O3 goes to the opposite corner, O1 can initiate solo cut action with post O5 or reverse the ball out to O2. O4 pops out to wing and O5 moves across the lane to establish the sideline triangle. O2 and O1 set up for weakside two game.
Off Guard Cut Entry
On O1's pass to wing O3, off guard O2 cuts to corner form sideline triangle. Guard O1 rotates over to set up weakside two game with O4.
Base Screen. When post O5 is set up on weakside, weakside wing O4 has option of cutting off O5 into the post position. O5 and O1 set up on weakside for two game.
Post Pop Entry
When O2 has a mismatch against X2, post O5 pops out to corner allowing O2 posts up smaller X2.
Post Pop. When O4 has a mismatch against X4, post O5 pops out to corner allowing O4 to posts up weaker X4. Post Pop. When O1 has a mismatch against X1, post O5 pops out to corner allowing O1 posts up weaker defender X1.
Base Screen Entry
The sideline triangle can also be created by the weakside wing O4 cutting over off post O5 to the corner spot. Off guard O2 moves down and sets up for two game with O1.
Ball Reversal Entry
Point guard O1 makes a reversal pass to guard O2 and cuts to opposite corner. Wing O4 pops out and post O5 moves across lane to form sideline triangle. O2 and O3 set up for weakside two game.
Ball Reversal. Guard O1 dribble clears O3 and makes a reversal pass to O2. O3 cuts to opposite corner, wing O4 pops out, and post O5 moves across lane to complete the sideline triangle. O2 and O1 set up for weakside two game. Ball Reversal. Point guard O1 makes a reversal pass to guard O2. O2 passes to wing O4 popping out and cuts to corner. Post O5 moves across lane to form sideline triangle. O1 and O3 set up for weakside two game.
Dribble Weave Entry
The sideline triangle can be initiated with a guard to guard dribble hand-off After making a dribble hand-off to O2, O2 passes to wing O3 and cuts to the corner.
Corner Pass: Post Exchange
The post exchange or triple post option is initiated with O3 making a pass to the corner and a basket cut. When O1 does make a return pass to O3 for shot, post O5 pops out to the wing, the weakside wing O4 fills the post, and O3 continues out to the weakside wing position. All of the basic sideline triangle options are available with O4 posting up.
Post Pass Reversal
The sideline triangle can switch sides of the court quickly with a post reversal pass. When O3 passes the ball to Post O5, if a shot is not available, O5 makes a pass out to guard O2 spotting up on weakside. O1 cuts along baseline and O4 posts up to form sideline triangle. O3 and O5 set up for the weakside two person game.
Sideline Triangle Action
Strong Post Ups
One of the basic strengths of the Triangle Post Offense is its ability to isolate and attack the post one-on-one. The "Line of Deployment" established by Coach Tex Winter is a key in attacking the post defender. By recognizing where the defender is playing in relation to the "Line of Deployment" it allows the passer to create open shots for the post. Players should be proficient in posting up strong and executing basic post moves.
To learn more about strong post ups - Click Here
Post Split Actions
The Sideline Triangle alignment produces a series of quick hitting post split options that will create open and easy shots against any team that is not adequately prepared to defend post splits.
Low Post Split Options:
| Post Split | High Split | Post Isolation| Corner Split | Corner Screen & Roll |
Basic Post Split
Post Split. The basic option of the sideline triangle is the post split. Wing O3 feeds the post O5 and makes a baseline cut to the basket for shot. The corner O1 uses O3 as a moving screen, and cuts tight off O3 over the top of the post for shot. If O1's is not open for shot, O1 can continue out and set a screen for O2 at top of circle.
Post Split with Screen. After passing to post, the wing O3 sets a down screen for the point in the corner, and rolls to the basket. The post has options of passing to O1 coming off O3's down screen or feeding O3 rolling to basket off down screen or executing a post move for shot.
High Post Split Action
High Post Split. When the defense anticipates the post split and over plays, after feeding post O5, O1 and O2 have option of cutting in the opposite direction. O1 executes a baseline cut looking for a quick post feed, while wing O3 cuts over the top of the post. O2 creates the high post split by cutting tight off O3.
Post Isolation
Post Isolation. Post O5 can quickly be isolated one on one when the corner O1 and wing O3 cut directly to weakside. Corner O1 sets a back screen for O4 and O3 screens for O2. The post O5 isolated one on one takes X5 to the basket.
Post Split Off Corner Pass
Corner Post Split. Wing O3 pass to O1 in corner who in turns feeds post O5. Adhering the rule "whoever feeds the post, cuts first," O1 cuts over the top of the post, and O3 uses O1 as a moving screen cutting to baseline for shot. If the defense anticipates the post split and over plays O1 and O3 have option of cutting opposite with O1 making a baseline cut and O3 going over top.
Corner Pass: Screen and Roll
Phase 1. Pass and Cut (Give & go) Option
Wing O3 passes to corner and makes a basket cut for shot as O5 steps up the lane. O1 looks to feed O3 on the give and go cut.
Phase 2. Screen and Roll Option
When O1 does not pass to O3 on basket cut, O5 initiates screen and roll action by setting a corner screen for O1.
Phase 3. Continuity
When a shot is not available on the screen and roll action, O1 passes to O2 spotting up on weakside, O4 posts up after setting a base screen for O3, and cutter O3 goes to corner off O4's base screen establishing sideline triangle. O1 and O5 set up for weakside two game.
Post Solo Cuts
Two player post isolations can also be established in lieu of the sideline triangle. These quick hitting post solo cuts can be initiated in a multiple of ways:
Dribble Clear Entry
Point has the option of dribble clearing wing to initiate the solo cut series. When the point dribbles toward O3, O3 back cuts to basket looking for feed from point. If O3 does not receive a pass from O1, O3 clears to weakside corner, and O1 looks to feed post for wing/post solo cut action.
Guard Clear Entry
Point also has the option of passing to the wing and clearing out to weakside corner to initiate the solo cut series. The wing can initiate the two person game simply by feeding and cutting off the low post.
Post Interchange Entry
Point O1 passes to wing O3 and makes a basket cut emptying out to weakside corner. Weakside wing O4 posts up cutting off O5's base screen screen. The wing O3 initiates the two person game simply by feeding and cutting off O4 posting up.
Off Guard Entry
Wing O3 clears early. The off guard O2 curls to ball side wing as wing O3 clears to weakside corner. Point O1 passes to off guard O2 and goes opposite. Off guard O2 initiates the solo cut action simply by feeding and cutting off O5 posting up.
To View Solo Post Cuts Reads and Counters - Click Here
Weakside Two Game
When the small forward makes a reversal pass out to the off guard it sets up a two person weakside attack. This "Two Game" provides a multitude of a quick hitting options that can be initiated with either a pass or dribble entry.
Ball Reversal Options
Weakside Two Game - Pass Series
OPTIONS: | Drive | Jumper | Roll | Fake | Cut Opposite | Lob Pass |
Read: The Defender CHASES OVER.
Counter: Hand-off & Drive
When the defensive player trails and goes over the top of the high post, the guard turns the corner receives the ball back for drive to the basket.
Read: The Defender goes BEHIND.
Counter: Hand-off & Pull Up Jump Shot
When the defensive player goes behind the high post in an effort to cut off the guard, the guard upon receiving the ball back pulls up for a wide open jumper.
Read: The Defense SWITCHES.
Counter: Hand-off & Roll
Post Isolation. When defensive players X2 and X4 switch on screen, O2 looks to feed the screener O4 rolling to the basket or posting up against the smaller defensive guard.
Wing Isolation. Against the defensive switch, when ball handler O2 has a definite advantage over bigger X4, O4 clears out allowing O2 to go one on one against X4 on wing isolation.
Read: The Defense SHOWS & RECOVERS.
Counter: Fake Hand-off & Roll
Fake Hand-off and Drive Opposite. When the defensive player X4 shows to force the cutter wide, the high post fakes the hand-off and drives to the basket.
Fake Hand-off and Shoot. When the defensive player X4 recovers, O4 has jump shot option or can make a fake shot pass to O2 cutting to the basket.
Read: The Defender anticipates and CHEATS over early.
Counter: Cut Opposite Hand-off
Cut Opposite. When the defensive player X2 cheats to beats O2 over the screen, O2 reverses and cuts directly up the middle for inside hand-off and drive to basket.
Continuity. If O4 cannot hand off to O2 on inside cut, O4 can execute a dribble hand-off to O1 coming off O3's down screen. O1 can drive, pull up for jumper, or make a kick out pass to O2 in corner
Read: The defender denies the High Post Pass.
Counter: Lob Pass
Lob Pass. When defender X4 overplays and cuts off the passing lane to O4. O4 back cuts to basket for lob pass from O2.
Continuity. If O2 cannot make an over the top lop pass to 04, O2 has option of passing to O1 coming off O3's down screen on strong side.
Weakside Two Game - Dribble Series
OPTIONS: | Drive | Jumper | Roll | Cut Away | Drive Opposite | Trap |
Read: The Defender CHASES OVER screen.
Counter: Hand-off & Drive
When the defensive player trails and goes over the top of the O4's high post back screen, O2 should turn the corner and drive hard to basket for lay up.
Read: The defender goes BEHIND the screen.
Counter: Pull Up Jump Shot
Counter: Pull Up Jump Shot
When the defensive player X2 goes behind O4's high post back screen, the dribbler O2 should pull up for an open jump shot.
Read: The Defense SWITCHES on screen.
Screen & Roll
Post Isolation. When defensive players X2 and X4 switch on screen, O2 looks to feed the screener O4 rolling to the basket or posting up against the smaller defensive guard.
Wing Isolation. Against the defensive switch, when ball handler O2 has a definite advantage over bigger X4, O4 clears out allowing O2 to go one on one against X4 on wing isolation.
Read: The Defense SHOWS & RECOVERS on screen.
Screener Slips the Screen
Fake Screen and Cut Away. When the defender X4 shows(steps out) to force the ballhandler wide, O4 slips (fakes) the screen screen and cuts away to the basket looking for a quick pass from O2.
Read: The Defender anticipates and CHEATS over screen early.
Drive Opposite
Drive Opposite. When the defensive player X2 steps over the screen early, the ballhandler O2 should make a cross over dribble and drive down the middle.
Read: The Defense TRAPS the ballhander
String Out & Flash (2-1-2 Alignment)
Trap. When the defensive tries to doubles team the dribbler coming off screen, the dribbler O2 should string out the trap with dribble. The screener O4 cuts to a short corner position, and the post O5 flashes into the middle. This immediately creates a two on one situation against defensive post X5.
Flash. If post defender X5 steps out to help out on O4, O2 looks to pass to O5 flashing into the middle. O5 has options of shooting or passing to either O4 or O1 back cutting along baseline.
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Automatic Counters vs. Defensive Overplay
Since the Triangle Post Offense is entirely based on defensive reads, anytime the defense attempts to disrupt or deny a passing lane, it opens up automatic counter moves that usually result in easy baskets.
What if the defense denies . . . .
1. What if the defender FRONT THE POST denying the post pass?
2. What if the WING DEFENDER SAGS OFF on the post?
3. What if the defense DOUBLE TEAMS the post?
4. What if the defense DENIES REVERSAL PASS
5. What if the defense DENIES BACK DOOR ENTRY PASS?
Read: Defense fronts the post
Over the Top Pass
When the defense fronts post, weakside wing O4 clears out any backside help by breaking across to opposite elbow. Wing O3 leads post O5 to basket with an over the top pass. When fronted post O5 seals the defense and releases for shot only after the pass is directly overhead. If the defensive player X4 should rotate down to provide backside help against the lob pass, it will create a wide open shot for O4 at the free throw line.
High Post Feed. Instead of making the over the top pass, wing O3 has option of passing to O4 for post feed since O4 has a better passing angle into post.
Flop. A second option for attacking the post front post is with ball reversal. Wing O4 pops out on weakside instead of breaking up to elbow as wing O3 pump fakes a pass into the post and then passes to O2 who looks to feed O5 from top of circle. If O2's post pass is not available, O2 passes to O4 as post O5 continues across lane. Corner O1 makes a base cut to opposite corner forming the sideline triangle.
Read: Wing Defender sags off on post
Dribble Penetration
When wing O3's defender sags off prevent the post pass, O3 automatically puts the ball on the floor and drives hard to the basket. Wing O3 has options of turning the corner and driving to basket for lay up, pulling up for a jump shot, feeding post O5 on roll to basket, or kick out passes to O2 or O4.
Post Drop Pass. When post defender X5 steps out to help out or switches on O3's dribble penetration, O3 looks to make a drop pass to O5 rolling to basket.
Kickout Pass to Shooter. When weakside defender X2 drops off to help out on O3's dribble penetration, O3 looks to make a kickout pass to shooter O2 spotting up.
Read: Defense double teams the post
Post Double Team
Because of the triangle offense's court spacing teams have difficulties in trying to double the post. When the defense does double teams the post, shooters O2 and O3 spot up as weakside wing O4 drops to basket. O1 can either make an early baseline cut to opposite corner or stay and spot up. When defensive player X2 double teams the Post O5, it creates a two on one situation on the weakside against X4. If X4 drops, it leaves the shooter O2 wide open for a spot up three, and if X4 stays high to protect against the outside shot, it leaves O4 wide open under the basket.
Pass out of trap
When the post O5 passes out of the double team to O2 and O2 does not shoot, O4 posts up and O1 cuts along baseline to corner establishing the sideline triangle. Players O3 and O5 set up for weakside two game.
Read: Defender denies reversal pass
Counter: Back Door Action
When the weakside wing sees that the defensive player is denying the reversal pass out to the guard, he flashes across lane for feed from wing. On the pass to the power forward, the guard makes a back cut to the basket looking for feed and lay up. Note: The wing has option of making a direct over the top lob pass to the guard back cutting to basket.
Post Drop Pass Option
When the defensive post drops off to help against the back door, the shooting guard can just drop the ball off to the post rolling to the basket for an easy lay up.
Back Door Continuity - Top Cut Hand-off
When the guard O2 is not open on the back door feed, the wing O3 follows the pass and cuts over the top for a hand-off from O4 for a shot or drive.
Post Drop Pass Option
When the defensive post drops off to help against O3's penetration, O3 drops the ball off to the post rolling to the basket for an easy lay up.
Kick Out Pass Option
When the defensive guard X2 sags off to help on O3's dribble penetration, O3 makes a kick out pass to O2 spotting up for three point shot.
Read: Defense Denies the Back Door Entry Pass.
Counter: Back Door Lob Pass
Lob Pass Option. When the defensive player denies the pass to the power forward breaking across the lane, the wing pump fakes and the power forward back cuts to basket for lob pass from wing.
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Building the Triangle Post Offense
The key to the success of the Triangle Post Offense is in its execution and coordination. It is based solely on sound principles, precise court spacing, and execution of fundamentals. Since offensive options are dictated by what the defense is doing, players need to be efficient in recognizing and attacking defensive deployment.
Triangle Post Breakdown Drills:
Caution: Before undertaking any offense, players must have a solid, working knowledge of all of its components.
Two Player Entries Drill (2-on-2) Weakside Two Game Drill (Pairs Shooting) Sideline Triangle Drill (3-on-3)The Game Within a Game
Individual offensive skill development and improvement should be an integral part of every practice. In addition to early time (before practice) work, each player should, personally, have one or two individual fundamental techniques to work on during the course of a practice. The specific skill or skills will vary from player to player and can be assigned by the coaching staff or determined by the players themselves. As a reminder, the skill(s) should be written down on a 3 X 5 card and give it to each player prior to practice.
Game Strategies
Scout your opponent. Players need to know what reads to expect during the game. Opponents will generally use only a primary and secondary defense technique in defending Triangle Post Offense. Educate and explain the anticipated reads and their counters.
When scouting is not possible, scout your opponent during the game. Don't be a spectator and watch the ball during the game. Be conscience and alert to any defensive changes or adjustments, especially after substitutions and timeouts. Don't hesitate in deploying various entries during the game so that defenders cannot focus on defending just one option.
The Case for the Defense
Even if you do not plan to use the Triangle Post Offense, you better know how to defend against it. It is one of the most used offenses in the game.
Continue and learn proven ways and techniques to disrupt the Triangle Post Offense
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