Chin One Play – Princeton-Inspired Set to Confuse and Exploit Man Defense
Chin: One is a beautifully designed set play from the Princeton offense system, specifically tailored to give defenses trouble with well-timed cuts, deceptive screens, and creative ball screen finishing. It evolves the traditional Chin action by flipping expectations, ideal for high school and college-level teams looking to level up their half-court execution.
The play ends with a step-up ball screen, which is rarely seen at the lower levels, making it even more difficult for opponents to anticipate or defend effectively.
Initial Setup
The action begins in a traditional Princeton Chin alignment, with a pass from the point guard (1) to the wing (2). After the pass:
2 quickly reverses the ball to 3 at the wing.
1 sprints through the lane and drops to the same-side block.
2 fills the strong-side corner to flatten out the defense.
This alignment stretches the floor and sets the stage for the second layer of the play, which involves coordinated screening between the bigs and perimeter players.
Core Action
Now the screening motion kicks in:
4 curls off 5, aiming for a potential layup.
If open, 3 delivers a quick pass for a score.
If not open, the action continues immediately.
As 4 curls, 5 sets a down screen for 1 (who had dropped to the block).
1 sprints to the top, ready to receive a pass from 3.
If 1 is open, it becomes a clean catch-and-shoot opportunity.
Step-Up Ball Screen Finish
If no earlier options are open, 5 sprints into a step-up ball screen for 1, setting up a chance to attack:
1 uses the screen to drive hard toward the outer half of the floor (not middle).
5 rolls to the rim, dragging defenders with them.
4 flashes to the free-throw line, spacing the floor and providing a safety valve.
This step-up ball screen is particularly tough to guard because it:
Comes after layered actions.
Uses confusion to force poor switches or hedges.
Opens up clear hi-lo looks, drive-and-kick spacing, or dump-off passes.
Why Chin: One Works
1. Misdirection & Layered Action
Every movement has a counter. Defenders expecting traditional Chin reads will be caught off-guard by the curl into down screen combination followed by an atypical ball screen.
2. Efficient Floor Spacing
By clearing out the corners and keeping the center of the floor open until the final ball screen, the offense maintains great spacing throughout.
3. Multiple Scoring Options
Curl for 4.
Down screen pop for 1.
Step-up screen for 1 with a roll/dump-off to 5.
Mid-post flash for 4.
Skip to 2 in the corner if help collapses.
Coaching Points
Encourage decisive reads: If the defense over-helps on any screen, players must be trained to recognize the soft spots immediately.
Step-up screen positioning: 5 should screen the back hip of x1, forcing poor switches or trailing defenders.
4’s role is critical: They must sell the curl and be ready to score or kick if they receive the ball at the elbow area.
Final Takeaway
Chin: One is an intelligent evolution of Princeton concepts. It offers layers of deception and flexibility for teams looking to score without brute force or isolation. The progression from curl cuts to down screens to step-up ball screen gives smart, skilled teams a powerful tool to crack man defenses.
It’s especially effective when:
Your team has smart guards who can make good reads.
You want to get your ball handler on the move.
You're facing an aggressive or switching defense.
Incorporate Chin: One into your offensive package to bring structured unpredictability—something every coach and player can benefit from.
