Triangle SPNR

What is Triangle SPNR?

1 starts at the left slot with the ball, 2 on the left wing and 5 on the left block, with 4 and 3 at the right slot and right wing. After a pass and a cut build the triangle, 5 picks the action, a side pick and roll or a slip.

When to use it

Call it when you want a ball screen for 2 without breaking the triangle. It suits a 5 who reads when to slip and a 4 who passes well from the slot.

How to run it

Step 1. 1 passes to 2 on the left wing and cuts through to the left corner, which sets the triangle of 1, 2 and 5.

Step 2. 5 steps up from the left block and sets a side ball screen for 2, who dribbles off it toward the left elbow. On the weak side, 4 sets a pin down for 3, who dips toward the right short corner and comes back up to the right slot.

Step 3. The other choice is the slip. 5 steps up as if to screen, then slips and cuts down past the basket and on toward the right block. 4 and 3 hold their spots. 2 looks for 5 on the slip, and if he is covered, reverses to 4, who looks for 5 still cutting.

Counters

• 5 slips before he gets near 2 and X5 never has to choose. He takes hard steps toward the screen first.
• 4 runs the pin down on the slip and fills 5's cutting lane. On the slip he stays put.

What it attacks

If X5 hedges before 5 sets, 5 is open diving to the rim, and if the weak side drops in, the reversal gives 4 a new angle to him. On the pick and roll itself, 4's pin down keeps X3 and X4 too busy to help.

Teaching points

• 5 watches X5 on the way up. A defender jumping out early gets the slip.
• 4 sets the pin down only when 5 sets the screen. On the slip, 4 and 3 stay wide.
• 2 looks at the slip before he reverses the ball.

Build it in practice

Teach the triangle and the screen 3 on 0 with 1, 2 and 5, then add X5 and X2 so 5 learns when to slip. Bring in 4 and 3, run both branches 5 on 5, and use the screener series in the pick and roll drills guide for the slip read.