Duke's Triangle Play

The Triangle Offense uses dodges, backdoor cuts, screens, and exchanges to create scoring opportunities through good timing and spacing.

The offense has a triangle on each side of the field, with the players in each triangle working together.

How It Works

The ball starts low left. Wherever the ball is, the middle player pulls to the opposite elbow.

The ball carrier then attacks with a hard dodge.

The offense works through these options:

  1. First look: Dodge
    Attack the crease and look to score.

  2. Second look: Backdoor cut
    The next player makes a backdoor cut while looking for the ball.

  3. Third look: Inside cut
    If the backdoor isn't available, look for the inside cutter coming off the screen.

If none of the options are open, move the ball and continue the offense from the other side.

Exchanges & Screens

As the dodge develops, the other players exchange to keep defenders occupied and prevent them from helping on the dodge.

The backdoor cutter can also screen the defender to create space for the inside player.

The goal is to keep the defense moving while creating multiple options from the initial dodge.

Timing & Spacing

Spacing is a major part of the offense.

Backdoor cuts are more effective when players start far enough away from their defenders to build speed and get behind them.

Players should also avoid staying inside the 8m for too long. Step out, allow the defender to return to the zone, and then re-attack.

Teaching Progression

Start with the whole offense, then break it into smaller pieces.

  • Walk through the full movement.

  • Run it without defense.

  • Add shadow defenders.

  • Add live defense.

  • Progress into 3v3, 4v4, and eventually 7v7.

Use high-repetition drills to practice the dodge, backdoor cut, screen, exchange, and inside feed individually before putting everything together.