The Triangle Offense Power Point slide created by Andrew Reichl

Origins

Initiating the Offense See page one of the Diagram Packet From Phil Jackson’s book, More Than a Game (2002). “Scottie Pippen, for example, dribbles the ball across the midcourt line, he has a companion guard (John Paxson) stationed fifteen to twenty feet away on the same lateral plane. Pippen then makes a wing entry pass to Michael Jordan, who’s above the free throw line extended….

Initiating the Offense Continued On the pass, either Pippen or Paxson fills the corner on the ball side, and either the center or the weak-side forward moves to occupy the strong-side low post. The Triangle is now formed- Jordan with the ball, Grant or Cartwright in the post, Pippen or Paxson in the corner. In addition, you’d have Paxson or Pippen at the top of the key. With only one pass having been made to MJ, the four players without the ball can potentially fill any of the other four spots….”

The Five Basic Positions See page two of the Diagram Packet Key Position (KY)=Michael Jordan (23) Corner (CR)=Scottie Pippen (33) Defensive Balance (DB)=John Paxson (5) Post Player (PP)=Bill Cartwright (24) Weakside wing (WW)=Horace Grant (54) Note: weakside wing sometimes referred to as weakside forward.

Key Terms See page two of the diagram packet. Line of Deployment=a 45 degree angle the key position forms with the strong side post and the hoop. Garden Spot=area on the wing above the free throw line extended. Defensive Balance=The player positioned at the top of the key. NOTE: The defensive balance is positioned to prevent opponents from easy fast break lay-ups.

Key Terms See page three of the diagram packet. Lead Guard=The player who dribbles the ball up the court. Normally, the lead guard will make an entry pass to the key position initiating the offense. Moment of Truth=ball pressure comes within three feet of the lead guard forcing the lead guard to pass or penetrate. Lag guard=The companion guard who stays even with the lead guard until an entry pass/dribble is made by the lead guard.

Spacing ohttps:// o.

Principles Penetrate perimeter of defense (moment of truth) with a drive, a pass, or a shot. Must involve a full court game. Transition offense starts on defense. Proper spacing (15-18 feet). Five interchangeable positions. Purposeful player movement. Purposeful ball movement. Ideal offensive rebounding location and defensive balance positioning to protect against fast breaks. The player with the ball has an opportunity to pass the ball to any of his teammates. Adapt offense to utilize individual skills and attack opponents weaknesses.

Number 2 Pass Priority See page four of the diagram packet.

Take Note There is no definitive playbook, the triangle allows players to be creative within the system. Players are asked to read and react. Take what the defense gives you. Phil Jackson says, “You’re always in the offense.” “You can’t mess up the triangle if you hit the open man or cut to the open space.” “If you see a direct line to the hoop, break the offense, and go to the hoop.”

References Blogger. “Triangle basics.” Blogspot. Retrieved from Online. April 29 th, Jackson, Phil. (2006). Sacred Hoops Revisited: spiritual lessons of hardwood warrior by Phil Jackson and Hugh Delehanty. Hyperion. New York, New York. Jackson, Phil & Rosen, Charley (2002). More Than a Game. Touchstone Publishing. New York, New York. “Sport Science: Lakers Triangle Offense.” Online Video Clip. Youtube (2011).