Triangle Offense

The triangle half-court offense was originated by Sam Barry of the University of Southern California and further developed by former Kansas State head coach Tex Winter. After his collegiate coaching days, Winter landed a job in the NBA to assist head coach Phil Jackson, and together they won 11 NBA finals using the triangle offense. Jackson and Winter originally installed the triangle offense to help Michael Jordan find ways to score against their Eastern Conference rivals, the Detroit Pistons.

The triangle offense is designed to help players learn how to read and react to what the defense is doing. The most effective triangle is the sideline triangle on one side of the floor. The sideline triangle involves the post player on the block and two perimeter players, one located in the corner and one on the wing. The two-man game is created on the weak side, guard at the top, and opposite post player at the elbow-extended area. The great thing about the triangle offense is each new pass creates the next sequence within the offense. The main objective of the triangle offense is to overload one side of the floor to create a sequence of options to get the offense flowing. Throughout the triangle offense, penetration is used to attack the frontline of the defense. Spacing will make it hard for the defense to help, trap, or recover. It is very important that players maintain 15 to 20 feet from player to player. The ball and the player move with a purpose, and good ball and player movement helps keep the defense occupied and off balance. The point guard should be able to pass it to any of his/her four teammates. Offensive rebounding and defensive balance will help get back and prevent the opponent’s scoring opportunities.

In the triangle offense every player is allowed to fill any of the spots on the floor, because all spots are interchangeable. The triangle is a offense that is designed to give your best player different scoring option. In 1995-96, the Chicago Bulls’ NBA record improved from 55-27 to 72-10 using the triangle offense. The triangle was ran successful by players such as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Pau Gasol.  

References:

1Winter, T. (2007). The triangle offense. Retrieved from: http://www.fip.it/public/41/3533/Tex%20Winter%20-%20Attacco%20Triangolo%20-%20prima%20parte.pdf

2Araton, H. (2014). Triangle offense has its defenders and skeptics. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/18/sports/basketball/triangle-offense-has-its-defenders-and-skeptics.html?_r=0