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 formedJordan 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
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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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YahlaJVvp
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
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Blogger. “Triangle basics.” Blogspot. Retrieved from
http://thetriangleoffense.blogspot.com/p/seven-principles-of-sound-offense.html.
Online. April 29th, 2014.
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).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YahlaJVvpo.