Best for
Teams that want to feed the post before flowing into a high-post handoff.
5-on-5 set playHalf-court5 steps
Triangle Basketball Play
A five-step triangle offense entry that forms the strong-side corner, tests the post feed, then flows into a high-post handoff pick-and-roll.
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When to call it
Use after a rushed possession or when the defense is overplaying the first wing pass.
Main cue
Form the strong-side triangle before looking for the second option.
Step-by-step breakdown
Clear half-court diagrams explain what each player does, with movement, screens, and ball position labelled.
- 1
1 passes the ball to a wing.
1 passes the ball to a wing. The other wing fills the strong-side corner.
- 2
The first option is to feed the low post.
The first option is to feed the low post.
- 3
If that does not work, the ball goes back to 1 and 5 cuts to the high post.
If that does not work, the ball goes back to 1 and 5 cuts to the high post.
- 4
1 passes the ball to the high post, then follows for a handoff-pick-and-roll.
1 passes the ball to the high post, then follows for a handoff-pick-and-roll.
- 5
The action finishes with 1 on the left wing, 5 sealing inside, and the right side spaced for the next read.
The action finishes with 1 on the left wing, 5 sealing inside, and the right side spaced for the next read.
Coach's teaching guide
Use these notes to decide when to call the play, how to teach it, and how to adjust when the defense changes coverage.
The Triangle set teaches spacing through relationships instead of memorized spots. The ball, corner, and post form the strong-side triangle, while the weak side stays ready to reverse or flash. It is slower than a quick pick-and-roll, but it gives a team a patient way to feed the post, punish overplays, and keep off-ball players active.
When to call it
Call Triangle when you want the offense to slow down without becoming passive. It is useful after several rushed possessions, against teams that deny wing passes, or when your post player has an advantage on the block. Because the first pass goes to a wing and the corner fills, the defense must guard three close passing angles before the main option is chosen.
- Use it after transition chances disappear but the defense is still cross-matched.
- Use it when the low post can score or pass with one dribble.
- Avoid it when your spacing players keep cutting without reading the ball.
Personnel fit
This set fits a team with one reliable post target, one wing passer, and a guard who can receive the ball back at the top. The corner player does not have to be a pure shooter, but they must be ready to cut behind help. The weak-side big should be comfortable flashing to the high post because the fourth step can become a handoff and drive.
- Put your best decision maker on the wing entry, not always at the top.
- The post player must seal early and show a target hand.
- The weak-side guard must be patient enough to receive the reversal.
Primary reads
The first read is the low-post feed. If the defender fronts or the passing angle is blocked, the ball comes back to the top and the weak-side post cuts to the high post. From there, the guard reads the handoff defender. If the defender trails, take the handoff downhill; if the defender goes under, stop behind the high post for a shot or reversal.
- Feed the post only when the passer's outside foot can point to the target.
- Reverse quickly when the post defender wins the first seal.
- Use the handoff if the top defender is looking at the ball instead of the cutter.
Teaching points
Teach the triangle as a series of windows. The wing pass opens the corner window, the corner spacing opens the post window, and the post denial opens the reversal window. Players should not move because the diagram says so; they move when a window is closed. This language helps players understand why the ball comes back out instead of forcing a contested post pass.
- Hold the corner deep enough to stretch the low defender's first step.
- Make the post show numbers to the ball before asking for the feed.
- Require the top guard to move after passing back, not admire the pass.
Common mistakes
The most common mistake is turning Triangle into three players standing still around one post touch. If the corner never threatens a cut and the weak side never prepares the reversal, the defense can load the block without paying a price. Another mistake is feeding the post from a flat angle, which invites a deflection and makes the post catch too far from the rim.
- Do not feed the post through a defender's chest.
- Do not let the weak-side post flash before the ball has been denied.
- Do not let the corner drift up and shrink the passing angle.
Practice progression
Start with three-on-three on the strong side and require the offense to score from a post feed, corner cut, or return pass. Add the weak-side pair only after the strong side can identify denial. In live five-on-five, give the defense a point for any forced post catch outside the lane line and give the offense a point for reversing before the trap arrives.
- Run shell reps where the coach calls front, three-quarter, or behind.
- Add a five-second count to stop the ball from sticking on the wing.
- Finish with a handoff read from the high post after every failed post entry.
Player responsibilities and adjustments
Use this section before practice so every player knows the job attached to their number.
1
Entry guard
Make the wing entry, stay available for the return pass, then follow into the handoff lane.
2
Corner spacer
Fill the strong-side corner and cut only when the low help turns its head.
3
Wing passer
Hold the ball long enough to read the post seal, then reverse before the five-second count becomes pressure.
4
Low-post target
Seal on the high side and show a target hand toward the passer.
5
High-post trigger
Flash to the high post when the post feed closes, then screen into the handoff.
Counters and adjustments
- If the post is fronted, reverse quickly and look for a high-low angle from 5.
- If the corner defender digs, 2 cuts behind the help instead of standing for a catch-and-shoot.
- If the handoff is switched, 1 keeps the dribble alive and 5 seals the smaller defender.
Practice constraints
- The wing must call out post position before passing back to the top.
- The corner cannot lift until the ball leaves the wing's hands.
- Run the handoff live only after three clean walk-through post feeds.
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