offense
Flex offense
Flex is a repeating sequence: one player cuts along the baseline using a screen near the basket, then another teammate screens downward for the first screener to move up toward the ball. Passing the ball to the opposite side repeats the sequence.
How it runs
Connect the baseline cut to the next screen
1. Pass across and cut along the baseline
1 passes to 2. 5 is already set near the basket; 3 cuts around 5 toward the opposite low-post area.
Notation
- Offense
- Defense
- Coach
- Neutral
- Ball
- Cone
- Cut
- Dribble
- Pass
- Screen
- Hand-off
- Shot
- Def. slide
A representative opening of basic Flex: a baseline screen is followed by a downward screen for the first screener. Denial and switching require other choices. Defenders are omitted; captions state the chosen read. Spacing is illustrative.
Original CoachAssist teaching illustration, not a complete playbook. Arrows show the action from the displayed starting positions. Read each caption before advancing.
Reads and decisions
- Read either side of the low screen rather than running blindly.
- Use corner options and denial counters when the pattern is anticipated.
What to emphasize
- Original starter adaptation: rehearse the two connected screens, then add guided denial or switching.
How to teach it
Choose current readiness, not gender or an assumed ceiling. Simplify whenever players need it.
New to basketball
- One idea to notice: Connect the baseline screen to the next screen toward the baseline without rushing either.
- Use a manageable ball, short passing distances and a comfortable shooting range. Rehearse only one movement at a time; screening begins without contact.
- Let players explain or point to the open space. Stop for a short demonstration, then let them try again without a score or speed quota.
Level progressions are original coaching adaptations, not claims that a cited coach uses this exact sequence.
Tradeoffs, counters & terminology
- Primarily a man-defense attack in this reference. Switching can blunt predictable screening.
- The source does not establish a separate named flex drill.
Documented coaches & teams
Gary Williams · Maryland
Historical example: the reference identifies Maryland’s 2002 team with Flex. This does not establish every counter in its playbook.
Matching drills · steps and diagrams
Teaching level changes the lesson above, not these drills automatically. Check each drill’s players, equipment, skill and coaching adaptations before running it.
Down Screen Curl Drill
Court diagram · view the drill first
Supporting fundamental: Develops the next screen toward the baseline and the receiver turning closely around it after a Flex cut. This isolated decision does not include the baseline Flex screen or the full repeating pattern.
A screen for a low cutter creates a curved route around the screen when the defender follows behind.
4–12 players · 6–10 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
A screen for a low cutter creates a curved route around the screen when the defender follows behind.
Set it up
Four players: passer at the top, wing screener, cutter near the basket and a guided cutter defender. No additional help defender; one ball and a clear landing area. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Run the drill
- Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
- The screener moves into a legal, stationary downscreen position before the cutter leaves.
- The cutter sets up the defender, then curves around the screen toward the elbow—the end of the free-throw line—when the defender follows behind.
- The passer leads an available catch for a balanced shot or controlled finish; decline a covered pass.
- After the cutter clears, the screener opens as a second option. Rotate all four roles.
- End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.
Scoring
Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.
Coach the details
- A curl is one response, not a mandatory cut against every coverage.
- Timing and clear routes matter more than contact or speed.
- Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.
- Screens begin without contact. Establish a balanced, stationary position with the time and space required by the competition rules; keep arms in and do not lean, hold, shove or step into an approaching defender. Decline the action when legal clearance is unavailable.
Variations & provenance
- Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
- The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.
Screen Setting Fundamentals (P.A.S.S.)
Court diagram · view the drill first
Supporting fundamental: Builds stationary-screen timing and cutter setup before connecting flex and downscreen actions; this is not a flex pattern.
A controlled progression teaches setting and using a stationary screen.
3–12 players · 5–10 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
A controlled progression teaches setting and using a stationary screen.
Set it up
Three players: screener, cutter and cooperative defender, plus a coach passer. Begin without contact on one side of a half court. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Run the drill
- Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
- The screener approaches at walkthrough pace and establishes a balanced position with legal clearance.
- The cutter waits until the screen is set, then moves close enough to use its angle without colliding with the screener.
- The coach passes only through an open window; the cutter catches balanced and may shoot from a comfortable range.
- The screener holds position until the cutter clears, then opens toward the ball. Rotate all player roles.
- End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.
Scoring
Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.
Coach the details
- Do not require contact for a screen to count. Add guided defense only after the group understands positioning and timing.
- Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.
- Screens begin without contact. Establish a balanced, stationary position with the time and space required by the competition rules; keep arms in and do not lean, hold, shove or step into an approaching defender. Decline the action when legal clearance is unavailable.
Variations & provenance
- Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
- The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.
Sources & evidence notes
The system description and source links are reviewed references. Level progressions and evaluation ideas are original CoachAssist teaching adaptations, not tested prescriptions or a named coach’s complete playbook. Supporting drills develop ingredients; they do not automatically install the whole system.
Evidence status: established. Sources support the specific claims described here, not every possible version of the system.
- Flex Offense
James A. Gels · Coach's Clipboard · publication date not listed
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.