What is a triangle offense counter in basketball?
A triangle offense counter consists of actions such as ball reversal or dribble handoffs to mitigate certain measures by the opposing team like denial defense, ultimately to generate scoring opportunities near the basket or around perimeter areas of the court.
How to comprehend the player roles and diagrams on this page
In reference to any diagrams below, each of the offensive and defensive players are generally represented by the standard basketball positions, unless otherwise noted.
In essence, 1 and X1 indicate the respective offensive and defensive point guards.
2 and X2 signify the respective offensive and defensive shooting guards.
3 and X3 denote the respective offensive and defensive small forwards.
4 and X4 designate the respective offensive and defensive power forwards.
5 and X5 represent the respective offensive and defensive centers.
Moreover, in terms of a brief legend for the diagrams:
- Black Dot or Small Circle: The black dot or small circle represents the basketball.
- Solid Arrow: The solid arrow indicates movement or a cut on the basketball court.
- Dotted Arrow: The dotted arrow represents a basketball pass.
- Wavy Arrow: The wavy arrow indicates dribbling.
- T-Shaped Symbol: The T-shaped symbol signifies a screen, also known as a pick.
- Double pipe symbol: The double pipe symbol denotes handoff action.
What is a method to use a triangle offense counter against post entry denial?
To use a triangle offense counter against post entry denial, the wing player, also known as the trigger, can reverse the ball back towards the top.
Afterwards, the corner player, who initiated the first pass, could run the baseline to the other corner.
From that point, the player at the top can set a cross screen for the low post player who could use it and receive the ball for a scoring opportunity.
The example diagrams below illustrate this with more clarity.
Part 1: Post entry feed denied by a defender
To start, 1 passes the ball towards the right side wing, which is received by 3. Afterwards, 1 cuts through to the right side corner to establish the sideline triangle while 2 moves toward the top behind the three-point line.
However, as that occurs, X5 denies the post entry pass while slides into the lane for extra basket protection.
Part 2: Ball Reversal
Next, even though the initial post entry action was denied, it’s still possible to get the basketball into the hands of the low post player.
To do that, 3 passes the ball towards the top and 2 receives it. As that happens, 4 gets open near the left side wing area with a V-cut and then receives the ball from 2.
This also completes ball reversal to the other side of the floor. Furthermore, as all of that action occurs, 1 runs the baseline to the left side corner.
Part 3: Cross screen
Continuing on, 2 cuts into the lane to set a cross screen. From there, 5 uses that screen and cuts across the lane to the left side low post area.
As that happens, 2 cuts across to the right side short corner area while 3 fills the right slot area.
Next, 5 could receive the ball from 4 and attempt to score with a low post move.
It should also be noted that the offensive team has set up a sideline triangle again. However, this time, it is on the left side of the court.
What is a method to use a triangle offense counter against pinch post denial?
To use a triangle offense counter against pinch post denial, the top player can perform a dribble handoff with the corner player, who gets open via a screening action.
Following that, the player who was previously occupying the corner can try to attack the rim, which can result in different scoring opportunities.
The example diagrams below demonstrate this point in greater detail.
Part 1: Pinch post feed denied by a defender
To start, 3 passes the ball towards the top with 2 as the recipient, potentially after the post entry feed was not open. Afterwards, 4 cuts toward the pinch post to receive the ball from 2. However, X4 sprints ahead of 4 to deny that action.
Part 2: Dribble handoff
Next, to counter the pinch post denial, 2 begins dribbling towards the right side wing. At the same time, 3 initially cuts toward the basket but then turns to set a wide pin down screen.
This particular action is generally referred to as a rebound screen cut within the triangle offense phrasing.
From there, 1 uses that screen and cuts toward the wing to execute dribble handoff action alongside 2 while 3 fills the adjacent corner.
Simultaneously, 4 pops away from the pinch post towards the weak side wing area.
At that point, 1 attacks the rim looking to score via a layup or floater. Moreover, 4 or 5 could also receive the ball as well if those options are available.
What is a method to use a triangle offense counter against top denial?
To use a triangle offense counter against top denial, the weak side forward could flash across the lane to the strong side high post and receive the ball from the wing player.
Following that, the top player who is currently being denied can backdoor cut to the basket, which could lead to a quick hitting scoring opportunity.
The example diagram showcases this with more details.
In essence, 3 would like to pass the ball towards the top. However, X2 is playing denial defense against 2.
When that occurs, 4 could flash cut across the lane towards the strong side high post area and receive the ball from 3.
Next, 2 could quickly backdoor cut and receive the ball from 4, resulting in a possible layup at the rim.
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Related: The triple-post offense (sideline triangle) – Fred “Tex” Winter