Question on the Princeton Offense

[ponyboy]

Can one of you hoopmasters explain in more detail what it is? Does it predate Bill Bradley?

And does Doherty use or plan to use a version of it? Or is it just used in the generic sense of smart, disciplined, non-street basketball?

[MustangIcon]

In a nutshell....

The Princeton offense is based on spacing, passing, backdoor cuts, PATIENCE and all around good team ball. Former Princeton coach Pete Carril (sp?)developed this offense and many teams use parts of it but not really the exact same offense. Helps take the air out of the ball and almost beats a defense into submission because it so so methodical and repetitive. Good strategy for a less athletically gifted team with good, smart basketball players but used by other more athletic teams as well. Usually by people with Princeton ties. Georgetown uses a variation (John Thompson played at Princeton), a couple NBA teams use some aspects, and I think Brown (whom we played earlier this season) uses it too.

[EastStang]

Its also been called a shuffle or shuttle offense, or a rotation offense. There are basically two variations. In the traditional model every player sets picks or rolls and assumes a new position in the rotation. The primary variation that I've seen makes the center basically a non-rotating safety valve player who plays either high or low post. This would be a good variation to use when Bamba Fall is in the game since his ball handling skills are still pretty bad, but he can set screens and take a pass at the high post if the offense breaks down. My high school ran this offense for years and years. The players hated it because you couldn't run and gun, but it usually kept you in the game against a man or pressure defense. With constant picks, rolls and back door cuts a pressure defense can get shredded. It is not terribly effective against a zone defense since picks really don't do much except maybe free up someone for a short jumper. The Washington Wizards are using a variation of it and it has paid big dividends. The funny thing is that the offense has been around since the sixties and everyone knows what's coming but it is nearly impossible to defend if run with patience.

[CalallenStang]

http://www.cybersportsusa.com/hooptacti ... ffense.asp