TEX WINTER’S

TRIANGLE OFFENSE

SECRETS REVEALED

COACH MAC’S BASKETBALL PLAYS, DRILLS, and NOTES

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THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF SOUND OFFENSE the ball and less time he has to react to the passer movement,
giving to the passer the chance to recognize what the defender
These are the seven principles of a sound and effective
is doing. This principle of good passing is violated more than any
offense.
other.
1. Penetration of the defense. You must penetrate the de-
fense, and the best way to do this is the fast break, be- He must see the passing lanes and the receiver, but not look at
cause basketball is a full court game, from baseline to the receiver, unless the pass is preceded by an effective fake,
baseline. and do not turn and face "peripheral" vision, but without
2. Spacing. I am literally a fanatic of spacing. The floor making a blind pass.
must be spaced, so it is difficult for the defense to help as
well as to trap. The players must be distant from each oth- He has to use fakes with a purpose, not over fake, because he
er a certain number of meters (feet), and the distance will not be able to recognize what the defender is doing with the
varies. In the high school, I would recommend from 4 to 5 hands. He must make a fake and react with poise, seeing the
meters (about 12 to 15 feet), at the college from 5 to 6 me- lane of passing.
ters (15 to18 feet), and in the NBA from 5 to almost 7 me-
ters (15 to 20 feet). With this proper spacing, if the defense He must eliminate all the unnecessary moves in ball handling
tries to trap there always will be an open player.
and passing, using quick wrist and finger action, shortening as
much as possible the action of the pass.
3. Ball and Player Movements. The players must move the ball
and move themselves on the court, but with a purpose, because
He has to pass quickly the ball to an open teammate, who has
there is only one ball and the players will play almost 80% of the
no more than three seconds after he received it, to make his
time without the possession of the ball.
play, such as passing, shooting, faking and driving, or passing
an cutting. For every second under the three second it takes to
4. Options for the Ball Handler. He must be able to pass
the receiver of the pass to execute the play, the better basket-
the ball to all the other four teammates, so the players
ball player he becomes. For every second over the three se-
must be in constant move.
conds, he becomes a poorer one. All the players on the court
5. Offensive Rebound and Defensive Balance. On all the possible must move quickly the ball, so the defense will be occupied,
shots, the offense must provide a strong offensive rebounding, opening the chances of passing lanes and scoring opportunities.
as well create a defensive balance to avoid the opponents'
fast break. He must pass the ball to a teammate's open side, a rule often
violated also by the best players. The passer must have the vi-
6. To fill any spot. The offense must offer to any player the sion not only of his defender, but also of the passing lane and
chance to fill any spot on the court, independently by his role. the receiver's defender. Naturally also the receiver must help
All the position should be interchangeable. the passer offering him good target, as well as keep his defender
away from the passing lane or freezing or sealing him for a se-
7. Utilize individual talents. Take advantage by your best play- cond for giving to the passer the change to pass
ers, but always with the respect of all the other teammates on safely the ball.
the court.
He must anticipate when he may receive the ball and have
enough intuition to know in advance the best places to pass the
PASSING
ball. And this is a skill the best players have. This is the reason
One underrated skill today is passing, and passing is one of the
why some pro teams are outstanding also if they appeared to
basic of the triangle offense. For this reason I think it's im-
have very little definite team pattern. If the players do not have
portant that the player really understand the principles we want
this ability, it is necessary to build an offensive pattern that gives
to apply on passing.
to the players the chance of keeping busy the defense.

No more than one meter (three feet) should be the distance

between the passer and his defender and preferably
less. The closer the defender covers the offensive player with
LINE OF DEPLOYMENT Basket Cut. 1 passes the ball to the wing 3 and cuts to the bas-
One of the asset of the triangle offense is the chance to isolate ket, coming off the center 5, and goes in the corner. On all the
the post and attack his defender. We would like now to talk of cuts of the strong side guard 1, the other guard 2 gets in the
the "line of deployment", a basic concept. With this terms we middle of the floor for defensive balance and for then playing
mean in imaginary line which is traced from the forward with two-on two on the weak side (diagr. 5).
the ball, to the center in the low post, his defender and the bas- Wing
ket. For playing a standard defensive position between the cen- Dribble entry: 1 dribbles toward 3 and this is a signal for 3 to go
ter and the basket, the defender of the center must play behind in the corner, while 5 moves to high post and 2 goes in the mid-
the center, as long as the center remains on the line of deploy- dle of the court (diagr. 6). Then 4 cuts in the lane and goes on
ment (diagr. 2). But, defending in this way, it is easy for the for- the center position, while 5 replaces 4 in the wing spot with a
ward to pass the ball to the center. If the center's defender weak side cut (diagr. 7)
wants to prevent an easy pass, he must overplay the center, on Center
the baseline side or the high side, losing in this way his align- 1 passes to 3 and 5 goes to the corner, while 4 cuts, high or low,
ment with the center and the basket, so the forward can make in the lane and replaces the center while 2 cuts to the weak side
a quick pass to the open side of the center. The center must wing spot, replacing 4 (diagr. 8). Another option is that 1 passes
master the good technique of shaping up on the post, it means to 3, 5 goes in the corner and 1 (or 2) replaces 5 in the post
playing the line of deployment (diagr. 3). We stress this theory (diagr. 9).
and we were and are successful to pass the ball to the center,
either for a shot or for a pass out to a teammate, who is in a WEAK SIDE FILL
position to do something constructive with the ball when he Guard
receives it. By thoroughly indoctrinating the players on the line 1 passes to 3 and then the weak side guard 2 can fill the corner
of deployment theory, we feel we have been very successful in in two ways:
getting the ball to our center, and this has been true despite a  With a basket cut.
concentrated effort by the opponents to prevent the pass to the  After a back pick of the wing 4 (diagr.10).
post. Forward
1 passes to 3 and 4 makes a baseline or over the top cut and fills
DIFFERENT METHODS OF FORMING THE SIDELINE the corner, while 2 replaces 4 in the wing position (diagr.11).
TRIANGLE "N. 2" Pass from the Triangle
After we form the triangle on the strong side of the court, there
The triangle offense can start in several ways, depending by the
are four potential passes that the strong side wing can make.
defensive adjustments or offensive strategies.
We call these four passing options "No.2" passes , because they
are made after the first pass to the wing position, that we
BASIC WAYS TO FORM THE TRIANGLE
use for forming the triangle. Four are the spots on the court
"N. 1" Pass from the Triangle. We call this N. 1 pass because it
where these passes can be directed and from each one of these
is this first pass that is done for forming the triangle, and after
spots there are a multitude of different offensive options.
this one we form the triangle.
Assuming that 1 passed to 3 and then filled the corner, the wing
3 must:
STRONG SIDE FILL I. First look for the pass to the center 5.
Guard II. Second look to the weak side guard 2 on the middle of the
Outside Cut. 1 dribbles on the lateral lane, passes to the wing 3, half court (diagr. 12)
cuts outside him and goes in the corner, forming a triangle III. Third look on the backdoor step of weak side wing 4.
with 5 and 3. The wing 3 must set himself with the proper IV. Fourth look to the strong side guard 1 in the corner (diagr.
space, away from the sideline for letting 1 cutting behind him, 13).
as well as the other types of cuts, which we will explain on the
next paragraphs. Slice Cut. 1 passes the ball to the wing 3, goes
toward him and then cuts away and goes in the corner (diagr.
4). Blur Screen Cut. 1 passes the ball to the wing 3, cuts inside,
brushing off the center 5, and goes in the corner.
FIRST LOOK: PASS TO THE CENTER spots up opposite to the ball. 5 tries to pass the ball to one of
Setting the Sideline Triangle the open teammates (diagr. 24). If neither is open, 1 continues
We will show now one of the simplest options of this offense, to the free-throw line area: he can cut in the lane, screen for 2,
old as basketball, but still very effective. It is what is called "split who has come back to the ball, and then roll to the basket or
cuts", or also "split the post" or "post cuts". The play starts with pop out after the screen. 5 can pass to 1, to 2, or to 3, who,
the entry pass from 1 to 3 and the outside cut to the corner of after the screen, pops out in the corner (diagr. 25).
1, for forming the sideline triangle, while 2 goes in the middle of
the court (diagr. 14). SECOND LOOK: PASS TO THE TOP OF THE
CIRCLE (WEAK SIDE GUARD)
FORWARD TO POST PASS A. If 5 is not open, 3 can pass to 2 at the top of the circle and, if
A. 3 passes to 5, then makes a fake to cut inside the lane and 2 is open, he can shot, as the first option, or he can pass to 5,
then cuts on the baseline side of 5: The passer is the first cutter who ducks in the lane (diagr. 26). If 5 is not open on the duck in
and cuts to side of the post 5. 3 can make: the lane, 3, after the pass to 2, runs a "rebound screen cut",
 A fast cut, while 1 is trying to cut as close as possible be- while 1 step fakes on the baseline to set the defender up and
hind 3 (diagr.15). cuts off the 3's screen, on the way back to defensive balance. 2
 A change of pace cut, with an attempt of a screen for 1 can pass to 1. 4 fakes cut and comes back, as well as 5. This ac-
(diagr 16). 2 spots up opposite o the ball and 4 gets near tion keeps the defense occupied off the ball (diagr. 27). 2 can
the lane for the rebound. pass to 1 if open, or can dribble wave ball to 1, if the defense is
sagging. 2 passes to 1 on the dribble interchange, about at the
After the pass to the post 5, 3 can also start a speed cut and mid point, or 2 passes up to 1 and 1 passes to 3, who has step
then screen for 2 (diagr. 17). He can also start a speed cut and back in the corner after the screen. 4 reverses back to the bas-
then screen for 4, while 1 speed cuts on the baseline (diagr. 18). ket area as the dribble weave action takes place (diagr. 28).
The post 5 can also kick off the ball to 2, who has spotted up on
the weak side in a spot that we call "garden spot" (diagr. 19). B. We call this play "pinch post action." 4 starts to pop to the
ball, when 2 receives the ball from 3, but 4 is overplayed, so he
B. 3 passes the ball to 5 and 1 fast cuts to the baseline and, if reverses to the basket, a backdoor cut, and can receive an over
open, receives a drop pass from 5, while 3 makes a over the top the top pass from 2, while 1 gets up for a defensive balance and
speed cut (on our terminology we call this action "zone 5 keeps his defender busy, moving in and out of the lane. 2
speed cuts"). In the meantime, on the pass from 3 to 5, 2 spots passes to 4 (diagr. 29). If 4 cannot receive on the back door, he
up on the "garden spot" and can receive the ball from 5, and 4 gets to the high post area at the elbow, receive the ball from 2,
cuts behind the defense to the "freeze" “spot" (diagr. 20) who speed cuts off and receives the ball back, a short flip pass
If 1, 2 or 3 are not open, 1 continues his cut, rubs off the 4's off the 4's front hip. 2 must have the hands in a "ready position"
screen and goes high, while 3 cuts in the lane and screens 4 to catch the ball (a two-man play). After the screen, 3 steps
(screen-the-screener action), while 2 replaces 3 (diagr. 21). back in the corner while 1 gets up for the defensive balance
4 pops out to the free-throw area and receives the ball from 5, and 5 keeps busy his defender and "freezes" for a second at the
or, if 4 is not free, 5 can also pass to 3, who has rolled to the block (diagr. 30). 2 drives to the basket, 4 reverses pivot with
basket after the screen. If he has no other choice 5 can pass to the pass, it means he opens up to the ball, reads the defense
2. 3, if does not receive from 5, fills the corner on the weak side and reacts accordingly. If there is a direct line to the basket, he
(diagr. 22). 2 passes to 4 (or can pass back to 5) and then he "dive" cuts to the basket and receives a return pass from 2. If 2
moves to the top of the circle. If 4 is not free for shooting, he is double teamed, 4 opens up to the ball, with a reverse pivot,
passes to 1 and then cuts and goes on the low post position, and holds for a return pass from 2. 5 "freezes" at the block,
and 5 takes the weak side wing spot of 4. Now we have formed ready to receive a possible pass from 2 and 3 spots up for a pos-
the triangle on the other side of the floor, and we can run again sible kick off pass or cut to the front of the rim for a pass or to
our offense (diagr. 23). go to rebound (diagr. 31).

C. After the pass to 5, 3 makes a "rebound screen cut", while 1

step fakes on the baseline to set the defender up and cuts off
the 3's screen to a position in front of 5, and 2 and 4
THIRD LOOK: PASS TO THE WEAK SIDE WING free-throw line area, or under the basket, if he is free. 4 moves
A. 3 passes to 4, who has flashed at the elbow on the high post from 5 to 6 meters (15 to 18 feet) from the basket and holds,
on the ball side, and 2 makes a "backdoor speed cut" to the while 2 gets to the top of the circle and holds (diagr. 42).
basket. If 2 has the head and the shoulders over his defender, 4
makes a quick drop pass to 2. 2 should receive the ball with the 3 gets in the triple threat position and looks at the post 5 for a
knee high and reaching ahead for it (diagr. 32). 3, after making pass. 1 holds his position in a "freeze" spot opposite to the ball.
the pass to 4, runs a "rebound ,screen cut", while 1 step fakes 3 passes to 5, and makes what we call "solo cut", either side of
to the baseline and comes off the screen of 3. 1 goes high for 5. 2 spots up on the "garden spot", away from the ball, while 4
defensive balance and 3 reads the play and prepares for the screens down for 1 and 1 pops out in the corner (diagr. 43).
rebound on the front of the rim. 5 freezes at the block and an- As 3 cuts on 5, 5 has cleared the area for a shot, 2 works behind
ticipates a possible pass from 2, if his defenders switches to the "sweet spot." 3, if does not receive on the cut, screens for
help 2's defender's on the drive. Then, 4 reverses pivot and 4, who can come high to the free-throw line area or cut to the
reads the defense, staying behind the ball or diving to the bas- basket for receiving from 5. 5 can also pass to 2 (diagr. 44).
ket, ready to receive a pass from 2, if 4's defender drops to cov- Let's now assume that 3 cannot pass to 5. 3 then passes to 2 at
er 2 (diagr. 33). the top of the lane and then makes a "rub cut" off 5, while 5
steps up to pinch post off' 3's cut. On the weak side 4 screens
B. 3 passes to 4, who has flashed at the elbow on the high post for 1, who can pops out flat in the corner, or out or up. 2 has
on the ball side, and 2 makes a backdoor speed cut to the bas- several options of passing: he can pass to 3, to 1, to 4, who has
ket. If 2 is not open, he cuts in the corner and 3 cuts right after rolled to the basket after the screen for 1, or to 5 on the pinch
him for receiving a pass from 4. 3 can drive to the basket for a post (diagr. 45).
lay up or drive and kick off to 5 on "freeze" on the block, or to
2, who spotted up in the corner (diagr. 34). If 2 is not open and PRESSURE RELEASES - METHODS OF PENETRATING
also 3 cannot receive the ball, 4 dribbles wave to 1 coming out THE FRONT LINE DEFENSES
of the corner, or pass to him on the step back to the corner I. "Moment of Truth". We must be able to overcame the prob-
(diagr. 35). If 1 receives the ball on the dribble wave, he drives lem of the defense, which puts a lot of pressure on our offen-
straight to the basket, and can also make a jump shot, a kick off sive players. Here we will show different methods of pressure
pass to 2 or 3, while 5 flashes to the low post on the other side releases and penetrating the front line defense. But, before we
of the floor (diagr. 36). If nothing happens, with the pass to 2 need to explain some terms we use. On our terminology we
we have formed a triangle on the other side of the court with 2, has defined "moment of truth" as the position of 3, the wing in
5 and 3, with 1 at the top of the lane and 4 on the weak side front of the defensive player defending the ball. 1 is ready to
wing spot and we create continuity on our offense (diagr. 37). pass the ball to the wing 3 as he reaches the "moment of
truth", and 3 must coordinate his pop out, so he can receive the
FOURTH LOOK: PASS TO THE STRONG SIDE GUARD ball at the wing position as 1 reaches the "moment of
3 passes to 1 in the corner. After the pass, 3 makes a "banana" truth" (diagr. 46). Then we call "line of truth" the imaginary line
cut to the basket and can try to receive the ball, while 5 gets to across the floor one meter (three feet) in front of the defensive
the high post at the ball side elbow (diagr. 38). Right after the player on the ball handler (diagr. 47).
3's cut, 5 screens and rolls on 1, who drives to the top of the II. "Lag principle". If 1 reaches the "moment of truth" and 3 is
key, and can try to pass to 5 on the roll while 3 continues his cut not open on the pop out, we apply the "lag principle", a guard-
and is screened by 4 on the weak side and 2 spotted up oppo- to-guard pass. 1 passes to 2, as 2 "lags" behind the "line of
site to the ball (diagr. 39). 1 can shot or drive to the basket or truth", by one meter (three feet) or more as a safety valve.
pass to 2, who has spotted up. 1 can also pass to 4 or 5 if there Then 2 passes to 4 as he pops out to receive the ball. All the
is help on the basket penetration (diagr. 40) We so form the three players, who are involved on this two quick passes, must
triangle on the other side with 3, 4 and 2, while 5 becomes coordinate their moves and timing for a successful wing entry
weak side wing, and 1 sets up at the top of lane (diagr. 41). (diagr. 48).

SOLO CUT SERIES OF OPTIONS

1, after the pass to 3, instead cutting to the corner for creating
the triangle, makes a speed cut, and receives the ball at the
III. "Blind Pig Action". If 2, the player, who should receive the then 1 receives a back screen by 4. 1 speed cuts and 3 looks for
"lag" pass is overplayed, 4 flashes to the top of the lane, a high over the top pass to 1 (diagr. 59). After the screen for 1, 4
1 passes quickly to 4, 2 speed cuts down back side, a back door sets a sideline screen for 3, who drives around 4 and to the lane
cut, and if he is open, receives a drop pass on the cut to the (we call this action "wing screen and roll"). 1 spots up to the
basket (diagr. 49). If 2 is not open he continues the cut to the corner or at the wing spot, or comes back for a dribble weave
weak side "freeze" spot, 1 cuts over the top on down back side interchange with 3. After the screen for 3, 4 screens again for
of 4 and receives the ball from him. 1 drives to the basket or the third time, now in the corner for 2, who comes up for the
dribbles on the operating spot, on the wing or on the corner defensive balance. 5 "freezes" on the weak side post area
(diagr. 50). If 1 is not open on the cut, he continues to (diagr. 60). After the screen, 4 continues to the weak side re-
the basket area and then steps out and looks for late pass and bound position, 3 posts down after the kick off pass to 1. 5 sets
holds position. 4 then drives on the other side of the court himself in the lane for the possible rebound on a shot of 1
for a dribble weave, and meets 2, coming off the down screen (diagr. 61). If 2 is overplayed or he has violated the "lag
of 3. After the pass, 4 goes in the middle of the court and can principle", 2 cuts first and 4 cuts second, right after 2's tail (we
play on either sides, or can pass to 2, popping out to the corner call this "blur" screen), 4 receives the ball from 1 and then 1
and filling the wing spot to form the triangle (diagr. 51). speed cuts back side of 4. 3 screens for 2, who comes up for
defensive balance (diagr. 62). 1 can also make a high pass to 2,
Options for 4 if open (diagr. 63).
4 can pass to 3, and, instead screening for him, screens down
for 1, who moves up at the top of the floor. 2 holds on the IV. Wing Reverse. If 1 cannot pass to 2 or 3, he can pass to 5,
"freeze" position and reads the action, while 3 holds wing posi- who has flashed to the high post position at the elbow on the
tion, instead screening down for 2. If 4 goes away to screen for ball side, as usual, respecting the spacing with the other team-
1, 2 pops out to the corner area and a sideline triangle is mates. 3, on the pass to the high post 5, cuts backdoor (we call
formed by 3, 5 and 2 (diagr. 52). 4 can also pass to 1 and set a this action "wing reverse"). 5 passes the ball with a drop pass to
screen on the ball (diagr. 53). 1 has the following options: 3, if 3 is head and shoulders over his defender 5 (diagr. 64).
 Make a drop pass to 4 on the 4's roll to the basket. If 3 cannot receive the ball, 1 screens on 2 (we call this action
 Drive right to the basket. "guard squeeze action"). 2 cuts off the 1's screen and to a posi-
 Penetrate to clear for a jump shot. tion one meter (three feet) in front of 5, and 5 passes the ball to
 Penetrate and kick off the ball to 5 on the block; to 3, who 2, if open. After the screen, 1 rolls to the free-throw area and
is holding in the weak side position; or to 2 in the corner can also receive the ball from 5 (diagr. 65).
spot (diagr. 54).
If no solution is possible, we can form the sideline triangle with
3, 5 and 2. 1 can pass to 3 and then get at the top of the circle
(diagr. 55). After the "blind pig" (please see the diagr. 6.50), and
the cut of 2, 4, with the ball at the top of the circle, passes back
it to 1, and then goes away (diagr. 56). 4 sets a second screen, a
staggered screen for 2, who has came out of the lane and has
received a first screen from 3. 1 is isolated on one side of the
court and can play one-on-one, while 2 continues his cut and
has come off the screens of 3 and 4 and is back on the center of
the court for defensive balance (diagr. 57). If 1 cannot beat his
defender to the basket, he can kick off the ball to one of his four
teammates, who spaced out on the weak side. Again, we form
the sideline triangle with 4, 5, and 3, while 2 sets himself on the
top of the lane and 1 on the weak side wing spot (diagr. 58). Diagram 1

Wing entry on the "blind pig"

4 has flashed to the top of the circle and 2 speed cuts in the
lane. But this time 1 cannot pass to 4, so he passes to 3 and
Diagram 2 Diagram 3 Diagram 4

Diagram 5 Diagram 6 Diagram 7

Diagram 8 Diagram 9 Diagram 10

Diagram 11 Diagram 12 Diagram 13

Diagram 14 Diagram 15 Diagram 16

Diagram 17 Diagram 18 Diagram 19

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Diagram 23 Diagram 24 Diagram 25

Diagram 26 Diagram 27 Diagram 28

Diagram 29 Diagram 30 Diagram 31

Diagram 32 Diagram 33 Diagram 34

Diagram 35 Diagram 36 Diagram 37

Diagram 38 Diagram 39 Diagram 40

Diagram 41 Diagram 42 Diagram 43

Diagram 44 Diagram 45 Diagram 46

Diagram 47 Diagram 48 Diagram 49

Diagram 50 Diagram 51 Diagram 52

Diagram 53 Diagram 54 Diagram 55

Diagram 56 Diagram 57 Diagram 58

Diagram 59 Diagram 60 Diagram 61

Diagram 62 Diagram 63 Diagram 64

Diagram 65