Run your offense like Princeton with Pete Carril's Princeton Offense - PART FOUR

Princeton Offense Basketball

The Princeton offense is complex and requires many reads depending on what the defense does to guard you. The basic foundation of this offensive system involves every player accurately cutting, screening, passing, and shooting; being able to do these four fundamentals would allow your team to execute the Princeton Offense at a high level.

In order to properly break down each segment, we’re doing a four-part series focusing on the main points of understanding the Princeton Offense. In Part 1, we covered in great detail the strengths and weaknesses of this offense and what type of team would be successful running this offense along with the basics of getting the offense set up and started. In Part 2, we discussed using a one-guard front and high post approach to the Princeton Offense followed by the Chin Series in Part 3.

In the Part 4 article, we’ll share the offensive drills Carril’s team uses to get better fundamentally. When you’re done reading this series, you should have a better understanding of the Princeton Offense and if it’s right for your team.

Princeton Offense Drills

The biggest point Carril makes with the types of drills he uses for his team is ensuring they realize how the drills will make a difference on the court. He focuses on drills that specifically focus on segments within the Princeton Offense and chooses these are his foundation drills for practices.

In the Princeton Offense, every player needs to be fundamentally sound when it comes to dribbling the basketball. You never want your opponent to feel like they should be able to force you to dribble in a certain direction because it’s your weaker dribbling hand. With that being said, when you put the ball on the court you should be able to dribble confidently with either hand.

Dribbling Drills

• Guard Dribbling Drill. Start with a single line of guards at half-court and a line of forwards on the wing. Guards will make a dribble move and then pass to the forward - who will then pass back to the cutting guard. Encourage your guards to use different dribbling moves: crossover, between the legs, reverse dribble, or inside out. - Minute Mark 3:30-4:47, Minute Mark 9:24-9:47
• Forward Dribbling Drill. Start with your forwards on the wing and a cone at the elbow as a dummy defender. Dribble to the elbow, make a dribble move, and attack for a lay-up. Two moves to focus on for forwards: crossover and spin dribble. - Minuet Marker 17:21-17:58

Drive Drills

• Off Screen. Start with a guard line at half-court, a forward line on the wing, and a cone for dummy defense near the elbow area. The guard dribbles over toward the forward and gives a dribble handoff while screening for the forward. Forward comes off the screen to attack for a lay-up. - Minute Marker - 26:37-27:15
• Backdoor. Start with the same set-up but as the forward is coming to the guard they realize their defender is overplaying them so they go backdoor. The guard delivers a pass for a lay-up. - Minute Marker - 29:28-30:13

Shooting Drills

• 4 Minute Drill. 2 lines - one at the top spot and one corner - that pass back and forth to each other for jump shots. You’ll do four spots: right - top/corner and left - top/corner. Every spot gets one minute's worth of non-stop shooting. - Minute Marker - 37:16-38:22
• Warm-Up Drill. In groups of three (one shooter, one passer, one rebounder), the shooter will go for one minute. On the first pass, coming to the ball and then fading for the next shot. They will continue this pattern for the full minute then switch positions until everyone has shot. - Minute Marker - 44:14-45:07
• Dribble Screen Drill. Start with a line at half court (Line A), a line on the wing (Line B), and a cone for dummy defense near the elbow area. Line A dribbles over towards the cone and gives a dribble handoff while screening for a teammate, who comes off the screen to attack for a lay-up. After going through this drill for a few minutes switch it up so that the player coming off the screen passes back to the screener. - Minute Marker - 46:41-47:18 and 47:23-48:03

Learn More

There’s so much to learn about the Princeton Offense that it’s impossible to do in one article which is why we are doing a four-part series solely focused on this complex offense!

If you want to learn more about developing this offense, continue reading the rest of our series and be sure to check out Pete Carril’s Princeton Offense 2-disc DVD set. It goes into incredible detail with excellent demonstrations to help you instruct your players on the court and make your game plan according to your team.