The FLEX offense is a timeless basketball system built on fundamentals: cuts, screens, timing, and spacing. In this article, we explore a progressive teaching method that introduces FLEX step by step, adapting it to players’ level and learning rhythm.
Through a clear methodology—from 2-on-0 to 5-on-5—we reinforce reading off screens, ball reversals, and spacing discipline, ensuring players understand not just the movement, but the purpose behind each action.
Whether you’re installing FLEX for the first time or looking to refresh its execution, this guide offers a clear roadmap to build offensive cohesion and timing from the ground up.
The 1×1 to 2×2, passing through 1×0 and 2×0
For this series of exercises will easily and logic, taking the scroll and the tactical possibilities that you can make each player.We will start by the 1×0. In each of exercises, we’ll Polish up the technical details of the gestures for the players to assimilate the relationship of technical-tactic. We will be able to bring it to the attention mode of wheel 1×0.
We will insist on the spacing to delimit the area of game as the players practiced the movement are aware that this will be the area in which you are going to make the decisions and who will carry out their actions.In the 1×1, by having the court as a whole, we can send:- the defender, in case of recovery, attack the rim to the contrary, and that the attacker who lost the ball down to defend. In this way, there is an individual competition.- perform a wheel in each half court to increase the commitment engine.
Equally, we may from 2×0 and give the pass to one of the two attackers. In case of fail, the other player gets the rebound and play a 1×1 toward the other basket.
We also have the possibility of doing so by computers. A healthy competition in the first round, one team attacks and the other defends, and in the second reversed the roles.
First pass of the ‘Mini’-Investment
1×0
In this wheel will focus attention on communication, visual and gestural between passer and receiver. You have to understand, the receiver will play the back door or will receive to finish with 1 pot after feint pass/shot. If you have the field as a whole, we can send to score in the other basket and join the other row.
1×1
Same wheel that’s 1×0 but now with defender. If the defender recovers, the roles are reversed and play towards the other basket going down the side to not interfere with the game other colleagues who are ready to come out of the wheel.
2×0
Same wheel that’s 1×0 but it is now converted into 2×0. If the shooter fails, it becomes a 1×1 toward the other ring, to be played by the band to not interfere with the wheel of the other colleagues who are ready to leave.
2×2
Same wheel that’s 1×0 but now with defender. If the defender recovers, the roles are reversed and play towards the other basket going down the side to not interfere with the game other colleagues who are ready to come out of the wheel.
Skip to corner
2×0 – From corner
Wheel 1×0 focused on the execution of both the passer (to pass over pot to a hand) as the receiver. We will be attentive to the footwork for you to receive, both in the back door, and in the output, either to stop, either with a reception in motion. If the receiver fails, the one who gave the pass gets the rebound and play 1×1 toward the other ring in case you have court as a whole.
1×1 Light – From corner
In this wheel of 1×1, we build on the previous wheel 1×0 but now the one who gave the pass has to go to defend to the receiver. The lapse of time and space gives the attacker enough margin to run, but you also have the pressure of knowing that the defender arrives. The option of the back door is ruled out because then there would be even some opposition.
1×1 – From corner
This wheel 1×1 already have real opposition. The coach (or the players to re-play a 1×1 in the other ring) is the one that gives the pass. We may use this wheel to compete for teams. We can vary the scales giving double score to the ombudsman in case of recover and score in the other ring.
2×2
In this wheel, we start with the wheel 2×0 and add a defender to the receiver. As in the wheel of 1×1 real, we do add a charge competitive to the wheel by which two teams compete by turns.
Read Lock Indirect
1×0 – Output Lock Indirect
Wheel 1×0. We will pay attention to technical execution. We will be able to choose where to give the pass, whether from the top or from the corner.
1×0 – Continued Lock Indirect
Wheel 1×0. We will pay attention to technical execution. We will be able to choose where to give the pass, whether from the top or from the corner.
1×1 – Light Blocking Indirect
In this wheel, the player who doesn’t receive, you must go to defend the receiver. No matter what, to be resolved 1×1 will swap the role-playing into the other hoop.
2×0
In this wheel of 2×0 we will pay attention in the implementation of the Lock Indirect. We will be able to give the pass from the corner and from the top. We can even fit two passes on this wheel. The first thing that catches your rebound attack to the other ring.
2×2
Wheel of 2×2 essential for the attackers involved in the Blockade of Indirect read how you are protected. At the end, you can play 2×2 to the other ring.
Read Lock Indirect Vertical
1×0 – Next Lock Downstream Vertical
Wheel 1×0. We will pay attention to technical execution. We will be able to choose where to give the pass, whether from the top or from the corner.
1×0 – Output Lock Indirect Vertical
Wheel 1×0. We will pay attention to technical execution. We will be able to choose where to give the pass, whether from the top or from the corner.
1×1 – Next Lock Downstream Vertical
Wheel 1×1 in which we will test the ability to get under the rim. This step well executed gives the greatest advantage: get under the rim.
1×1 – Output Lock Indirect Vertical
Wheel 1×1 in which incidiremos in the reading of the policy-holder of the Lock Indirect:- red Lines if the defender clipped.- Blue lines if the defender aims to.- Green lines if the defender sobredefiende the pass line for reception outside of triple.
1×1 Light
Wheel 1×1 in which we pass from the top or from the corner. The player who do not receive you must defend. Check or failure of the puller, the defender will attack in the other ring in case you have court as a whole.
2×2
Wheel of 2×2 in which we will be able to choose where to give the pass. Critical to correctly read the advantages.
The 3×3 to 4×4, passing by the 3×0 and 4×0
At this point, we will keep the dynamics adopted in the previous progressions. Critical assimilation of prior situations of 1×1 and 2×2 to be able to read in optimal situations with more players. If the defenders recover, attack the other basket.Once assimilated the movements, having 12 players on the training we will be able to organize them playing 3×3 in each half court. With the 4×4 we can do continuous (3 teams of 4 players).
3×0 ‘Mini-Investment’ and opening corner
Wheel of 3×0 that is resolved after the first pass. The latest in touch screen the 2×1 that is played into the other hoop.
3×3 ‘Mini-Investment’ and opening corner
Wheel of 3×3 in the equality of numbers. Solve how to solve, are invested blows, playing to the other ring and are used for riding that movement during the transition.
3×0 – Read Lock Indirect pass from above
In this wheel, the pin will be able to pass it to one of the two players involved in the lock indirect. Possibility to play 2×1 toward the other ring.
3×3 – Read Lock Indirect pass from above
In this wheel, the pin will be able to pass it to one of the two players involved in the blockade of indirect (vertical). Possibility to play 2×1 toward the other ring.
3×0 – Read Lock Indirect with a pass from the corner
In this wheel, the pin will be able to pass it to one of the two players involved in the lock indirect. Possibility to play 2×1 toward the other ring.
3×3 – Read Lock Indirect with a pass from the corner
The same wheel, now with the opposition. Once solved, play the other ring and practiced the transition.
3×0 – Read Lock Indirect Vertical pass from above
In this wheel, the pin will be able to pass it to one of the two players involved in the blockade of downstream vertical. Possibility to play 2×1 toward the other ring.
3×3 – Read Lock Indirect Vertical pass from above
The same wheel, now with the opposition. Once solved, play the other ring and practiced the transition.
3×0 – Read Lock Indirect Vertical with a pass from the corner
In this wheel, the pin will be able to pass it to one of the two players involved in the blockade of downstream vertical. Possibility to play 2×1 toward the other ring.
3×3 – Read Lock Indirect Vertical pass from above
The same wheel, now with the opposition. Once solved, play the other ring and practiced the transition.
4×0 – Coach gives the first pass
Wheel 4×0, in which the Coach started the play by passing the ball. Here we will leave you to settle. We will have possibility to play 2×2 to the other ring. Defend the last two players who touched the ball in the 4×0.
4×4 – Coach gives the first pass
Same wheel with the opposition.
4×0 – Coach receives the first pass
Wheel 4×0, in which he receives the pass. Give the pass to the player who has taken advantage. Here we will leave you to settle. We will have possibility to play 2×2 to the other ring. Defend the last two players who touched the ball in the 4×0.
4×4 – Coach receives the first pass
Same wheel with the opposition.
4×0 – Coach gives a pass from the corner
On this wheel-4×0, the Coach will pass from the corner. Give the pass to the player who has taken advantage. Here we will leave you to settle. We will have possibility to play 2×2 to the other ring. Defend the last two players who touched the ball in the 4×0.
4×4 – Coach gives a pass from the corner
Same wheel with the opposition.
4×0 – Coach ‘gets’ Lock Indirect
Wheel 4×0, in which the Coach puts the lock indirect. Important that the players know to take advantage of the shape that has the defender of the policy-holder of the lock in order to avoid it. Here we will leave you to settle. We will have possibility to play 2×2 to the other ring. Defend the last two players who touched the ball in the 4×0.
4×4 – Coach ‘gets’ Lock Indirect
Same wheel with the opposition.
4×0 – Coach ‘gets’ Lock Indirect Vertical
Last wheel 4×0, in which the Coach puts the Lock Indirect Vertical. As in the wheel Lock Indirect, influence on the reading of how to pass the defender of the policyholder the Lock Indirect. Vertical. Here we will leave you to settle. We will have possibility to play 2×2 to the other ring. Defend the last two players who touched the ball in the 4×0.
4×4 – Coach ‘gets’ Lock Indirect Vertical
Same wheel with the opposition.
Global practice, 5×0, and 5×5
5×0 – global Practice
Before moving on to the 5×5, assemble them again all the movements of analysis that we have performed in this progression.
While we reviewing, we will remember why we made this movement, and what advantages we can get out on the basis of each defensive response of the opponent team.
5×5 – global Practice
We perform a match on the court as a whole. We will focus on that in the transition to occupy the spaces taking into account the street that goes up the player with the ball.
In case of be placed wrong (without predefined roles), we will give alternatives to see how simple it is to create new opportunities during the transition. Whether it’s with a movement of translation as is ‘suggesting’ the use of Lock indirect or cart.
There will be that value which compensates for more:- a player who takes a cart to change from corner to corner – 3 players move simultaneously – Lock indirect Post Under the Strong Side taken by Post under the Weak Side and replacement of the corner of Weak Side – Lock indirect Post Under the Weak Side to that occupied the corner of Weak Side occupies the Post Under the Strong Side (the one that occupied that space went to the corner of Strong Side).
In case you have an initial layout predetermined by the characteristics of our players, we will insist and we will arrange for the transition.
Variants
Fundamental to get players with initiative sufficient and efficient to break the system. All of this progression should serve for the players to get used to reading the benefits with ease and not cut the time to use them and to keep them (mismatches maintained with extra-pass for example). This progression methodology is based on the individual advocacy as that tends to be the most common, however it could also raise defenses space (coming soon).
Cedric Arregui Guivarch
National Coach of Basketball (CES 2014)
