Raptors Playbook: Chin Pick & Roll
Over at the Raptors Playbook YouTube channel (@RaptorsPlaybook on Twitter), I am breaking down the X’s & O’s of the Toronto Raptors. This week, we’ll focus on their Chin Pick & Roll – a play out of the Princeton Offense. Watch the video embedded below alongside the summary written, and remember to follow and subscribe to never miss out on a video.
Option 1: Chin Pick & Roll – Starting at 0:10
In a literal sense, the first option is really the Chin Cut (seen at 3:17), but it’s not what Toronto is really looking to do out of this action.
A vast majority of the time, the prospective ball handler will use a down screen and receive a pass from the Point Guard. Then, the Point Guard will make the Chin Cut off the Big in the middle of the floor.
That Big will then step-up for a high ball screen.
Option 2: Chin Double – Starting at 3:30
This counter calls for the Point Guard to forego making the Chin Cut. Instead, the Point Guard will set a double ball screen with the Big in the middle of the floor for the ball handler.
The Raptors have run the main Chin Pick & Roll and Chin Double action for many years, and anecdotally the former is always significantly more effective than the latter. The fundamental or strategic reason why this is the case is unclear, as personnel and coaching has changed throughout, but every year the main ball screen is more effective than the double ball screen alternative.
Additionally, the call for this play appears to be a tap of the chin — commonplace throughout the league.
