The Definitive Triangle Offense Resources List

When I first started this blog, my hope was that anyone who wondered how the triangle worked could come to this blog and find a simple explanation.  There was a slight problem though, I had no idea where to begin!  Should I start with the two passes, the reads of the offense, or its philosophies and principles?  I tried to broadly describe the offense, but the explanations were empty (see: AmMo Moments).  Despite my best efforts,  I couldn't accurately write about the triangle without the use of its intimidating terminology.  After clumsily writing about the line of deployment and the moment of truth I took an abrupt hiatus to rethink my approach.

  I returned with a renewed focus (no more AmMo Moments).  I re-launched by starting with the heart of the triangle - the seven principles of sound offense.  From that moment on, the one and only way to tackle the offense became obvious - take the offense piece by piece and let the understanding accumulate over time.  My original goal to simply explain the offense had failed, but I hope the fundamental nature of the offense is clearer than ever.

  Now that the NBA is devoid of a triangle team, I feel it's time for me to move on to my next project.  With that said, I'd like to announce my new site:

NBABreakdownBlog.blogspot.com

(My first new project will be to break down the basics of the San Antonio Spurs Motion Offense.)

Before I completely move on, I want to leave one last ultimate list of resources for anyone who may wonder how to run the triangle offense:

- The Encyclopedia of the Triangle Offense by Championship Productions:

  This 3 DVD set of a Tex Winter clinic is pricey but by far the most useful guide to the offense that I know of.  Tex shows how to implement the offense from the ground up.  He starts with the very basics: the 7 principles, proper passing technique, and proper footwork. He then goes through the entire basics of the triangle: line of deployment, moment of truth, the two passes, solos, and some breakdown drills.  The 3rd DVD comes with a hit or miss film package of the the old Jordan Bulls teams and Shaq/Frobe era Lakers running the triangle.  The clips are great and the film package shows deeper levels of the triangle, but the audio dubbing is badly timed and becomes confusing.  None the less, I highly recommend this DVD set.

- NBA Coaches Playbook:

  The chapter on the triangle, written by Phil Jackson and Tex Winter, is the clearest explanation of the offense I have come across.  I never wrote a post without referring to this book first.

- FIBA Assist Magazine:

  This also has an explanation of the triangle written by Tex Winter, but the translation is a bit off and the diagrams are terribly placed.  But hey, it's free!

Download link - File Factory

- Phil Jackson - In My Own Words:

  I believe this was filmed for Lakers season ticket holders.  Phil Jackson and his staff quickly go through the basics of the offense.  Good explanation of the moment of truth as well.

YouTube to Part 1:

Download link for entire video: - File Factory

- The Triple-Post Offense by Fred "Tex" Winter:

  Last, but certainly not least, is original bible on the offense published in 1962 by the innovator of the triangle himself, Tex Winter.  The triangle is described in painstaking detail along with diagrams for every option of the offense at that time.  Tex also writes about what he believes it takes to be a good coach complete with philosophical approaches, ideal practice schedules and advice for life in general. A lot has been added to the triangle since 1962, but a remarkable amount has remained exactly the same.  As they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Also, I'd like to make the videos I've edited on the offense available for download:

A Triangle Offense Clinic:

In one game, the Lakers show almost every basic option of the offense.  This video organizes those options by two pass and the action used.

File Factory

Two Pass to the Top:

This video shows some of the numerous options that result from a N.2 pass to the top.

File Factory

Always in the Offense Ver 2:

A slightly cleaned up and less dramatic version of the original, this video has captions that describe the action using triangle terminology.

File Factory

 I'd like to take this time to thank the few of you who have read this blog for your continual support.  From e-mails, to YouTube comments, to Facebook to Twitter, I was constantly blown away by the willingness of complete strangers to share their passion and triangle knowledge with me.

See you at NBABreakdownBlog.blogspot.com

Goodbye Triangle, hello Hall of Fame

  In the summer of 1990, the Chicago Bulls had been dismissed from the playoffs by Detroit’s Bad Boy Pistons for the third consecutive time.  Things looked particularly bleak for the Bulls in the point guard match up that pitted the slow footed, sound shooting John Paxson against the lighting quick, smiling blur of Isiah Thomas.  Phil Jackson, second year head coach of the Bulls, had a solution in mind.  He wanted to lighten Paxson’s load by implementing a system offense that didn’t require a dominant ball handler.  Fortunately for the Bulls, they happened to have an architect for just this kind of offense on hand.

    In the fall of 1990, Tex Winter was keeping a watchful eye over drills during the Bulls training camp.  Eventually his eyes landed on one Michael Jeffrey Jordan holding a basketball.  The “SPEC-TA-CU-LAR” Jordan could get to any spot on the floor, get a shot off from inconceivable angles, could leap out of Chicago Stadium in a single bound, and that season would go on to win his second MVP and first NBA championship.  But as Winter watched the ball leave Jordan’s hands, Tex’s eyes became filled with disappointment.  For all of his worldly talents, Michael Jordan could not pass the ball.  Not in the sense that Jordan lacked court vision.  Not even in the sense that Jordan was an over dribbling, over penetrating ball hog.  No, Tex Winter’s disappointment stemmed from the fact that Michael Jordan could not throw a technically sound chest pass.  Last season, the Bulls had used some parts of Winter’s offense.  This season would mark the first time an NBA team would embrace the entire scope of the Triangle Offense.  However, Winter had to do one thing before he could implement the storied offense - teach Michael Jordan how to throw a proper chest pass.

Now or never

In today's post we will take a look at game two of the 2011 Western Conference Semi Finals

Ignorance is bliss...

In today's post, we'll take a look at game one of the 2011 Western Conference Semifinals between the Mavericks and the Lakers.

Free Gift Subscription to mySynergySports Giveaway (Update: Is over!)

Update: Congratulations to Joshua Priemski, winner of the free mySynergySports subscription!  Thank you to everyone who sent in suggestions.

I usually try to keep this blog focused on the triangle (unless there is an AmMo Moment) but today I have a unique opportunity for an exciting giveaway.  Well, exciting if you are a basketball geek.

If you follow me on twitter, you may have come across some of the live game notes that I take:

Miscues and Adjustments

In today's post we will look at some of the tactics the New Orleans Hornets used to beat the Lakers in game one and the adjustments that need to be made for the Lakers to move on to the second round.

Forming the Triangle

In today's post, we will go over some of the ways to form the distinctive sideline triangle that gives the Triangle Offense its name.

Audibles and Freelancing

In today's post, we will see how the offense deals with players making changes on the fly.

Two pass to the top techniques

In today's post we will discuss some of the fundamental techniques taught to players to execute the two pass to the top and look at more options of this two pass.

Solo Variations

In today's post we will take a look at some of the different setups the Lakers use for the Solo series.