Princeton offense
The Princeton offense ( German Princeton offensive ) is a basketball - attack strategy. A characteristic feature is the high -pass and run intensity and a deliberate avoidance of the zone close to the basket.
History
The Princeton offense was developed in 1967 by college basketball coach Pete Carill, who coached the basketball team at Princeton University. Since the Princeton team was not very athletic, but play smart, strong and equipped with good distance throwers, Carill designed a pass and running intensive system, which was tailored to the strengths of this team. Until his retirement in 1996 Carill coached the Princeton team and led it to 13 Ivy League titles and eleven times for the finals of the NCAA college championships. The majority of these successes, achieved without outstanding individual players, but was due to a strong collective.
Description
In classical attack strategy of the center and power forward are close to the basket in the so-called Post, the small forward in mid- distance, and the point guard on the three-point line. In the Princeton Offense, however, raises the center at the free throw line, i.e. in the so-called high post, and all other players are semicircular at the three-point line. This makes the enemy team is forced to defend far away from the basket. The square is exploited in all its breadth, and in particular creates a hole directly under the basket. The aim of the system is to achieve either a non crowded layup or a free throw distance.
The Princeton offense is hoping to confuse the defense by dynamic fit and free running. The Standardspielzug is the so-called "give and go" ( dt: fit and free running ). Plays an attacker the ball down, he can run in one of the many open spaces and go along his back. It is also conceivable that a player without the ball runs from just outside the hole and after a pass entirely free ( technical term: back door ). This hole can also, for example by skillful blocking and Fit ( technical term: pick and roll ) are exploited to a simple layup. If the enemy team want to see this hole, it is outside outnumbered, what an open distance throw provoked.
In contrast to conventional basketball strategies Screens (German: body block ) rarely used, but many cuts, ie short sprints without the ball toward the basket. The Center is contrary to the usual way of playing away from the basket and acts less than basketball player, but more than scan station. A Princeton Center is therefore an above average passer and Mitt distance thrower.
The system is very suitable and running intensive and requires unselfish player with a good throw. On the other hand athleticism and explosiveness are secondary, so it accommodates players with average physique.
Strengths and weaknesses
A well -rehearsed Princeton offense is for the enemy team very exhausting as there are many give and goes out there and each defender constantly chasing after his attackers. There is also an above average number easy layup and open distance throws. Furthermore, the educational element of this tactic is valued because it rewards teamwork and " easy to learn " talent such as running and passing.
On the other hand, the Princeton offense is considered "soft" criticized. John Thompson III. complained: "They say that the Princeton offense were slow, white guys who take either three-point throws or layup. " ( "People say the Princeton offense ... are slow white guys that ... take a 3 -pointer or get a layup ". ) actions with great explosiveness (eg slam dunks from the low post) or " egoistic " 1- on-1 situations are hardly provided in this game system. It is so far no team (see below) succeeded to the Princeton offense to win an NBA title.
Application
Apart from Carill it used his student John Thompson III. successful for the college team the Georgetown Hoyas. In the NBA, the Sacramento Kings played under Coach Rick Adelman years the Princeton offense. With the game very smart center / power forward combination Vlade Divac / Chris Webber, three-point specialist Predrag Stojaković and pick- and-roll specialist Mike Bibby they came twice in the Western Conference Finals. In addition, the New Jersey Nets played under coach Byron Scott, the Princeton offense and twice reached the NBA Finals. At a lower level play (ed) it, the New Orleans Hornets and Washington Wizards.