Using the Flex Offense Versus a Zone Defense

The flex offense was designed to attack man to man defenses. As a result, most coaches that run flex use a different offense when facing zones. The obvious disadvantage to this approach is that you now have two separate offenses to teach.

Even though flex is designed for man defenses, some coaches have success using the flex against zone by making a few adjustments.

Here is the most common method that I see coaches use to attack the zone using the flex offense. It is simple and effective.

The Basic Pattern

The pattern is very simple. You adjust the flex pattern by eliminating the down screen.

You now have two guards on top and three players low. You only rotate the three players down low against the zone. The top two players work together. And the bottom three players work together by setting flex screens on the ball reversal.

Here is the basic pattern...

1 passes to 2.

5 screens/seals the defender responsible for middle of the zone.

4 cuts to the block.

2 looks inside.

5 pops out to the corner.

2 passes to 1.

4 screens the middle zone defender.

3 cuts to the block.

Players are in flex spots and the pattern continues.

The Bottom Players

When playing against zone, you may need your baseline players off the baseline (around the mid-post). This will help with spacing and passing angles. However, you should experiment and be aware of their positioning.

The key is to teach your bottom three players how to play together. If they run the pattern robotically you'll be in trouble.

Your screener needs to screen the middle of the zone.

In this diagram, you can see the positioning of a standard 2-3 zone defense.

On the ball reversal, X5 will be responsible to cover 4 cutting to the strong side block. So 5 needs to spin and box/seal X5 giving 4 an opportunity to get open.

If 5 is able to set a good screen, you can see that X3 has a choice. He/she can either guard 4 on the block or 3 in the corner.

2 can pass to 3 in the corner for the open shot, 4 on the block, or hit 5 sealing on the backside.

With this basic pattern, you get constant overloads and simple movement with your bottom players to get the ball inside.

This by itself can work. You'll get shots in the corner, ball reversals, and looks inside. However, your effectiveness will be limited unless you teach zone offense principles.

The bottom players should be encouraged to box and seal players to create opportunities. These opportunities can be present before or after the screen. They can also be on either side of the basket. You'll notice that depending on how X4 and X5 react, there could be an opportunity for a seal on the weakside.

Post players should also look to just "play basketball" and follow basic zone offense principles. They should look to seal and post up. The cutter should look to flash in the gaps. The screener should also look to flash in the gaps and then go back to their spot if nothing is there.

In the diagram to the right, you see an example of the high post flash. Instead of cutting the block, the flex cutter can look to cut to the high post area. The screener could also look to cut to the high post.

Again, they just need to play basketball. Maintain spacing and look for openings.

To be effective, you should get the ball inside via drive and/or pass. You don't have to score every time you go inside. Bring the ball back out, make the defense recover, look for an easy shot, and keep running the offense. Any time you make the offense move and adjust, you are distorting the zone and exploiting weaknesses.

Corner Option

With the ball in the corner, X3 is drawn out and the player on the block will have a one on one post up opportunity. 4 should seal for position and post up. 3 can shoot the ball, pass to 4, or hit 1 on the skip pass.

You can optionally allow 5 to cut to the high post / middle when they see an opening. If nothing is there, 5 should move back to their spot to resume the pattern.

Top Players

When facing a 2-3 zone, the biggest challenge for the top players is to deal with pressure from X1 and X2. You'll want your best ballhandlers on top that are comfortable with potential pressure.

In theory, players 1 and 2 could stay in the same spots and simply shoot, drive, or pass. However, we all know that the defense will try to take that away and things won't be that easy.

Your players on top should look for ball reversals, look inside, find open spots, use their dribble, penetrate, and just play basketball.

The shallow cut is a simple way for the top two players to get movement.

Pressure Release

You can use the shallow cut when the top player is getting denied and you need a pressure release.

Shallow cut when ball is on the wing.

If the ball is on the wing and the ball reversal is denied, 2 can dribble at 1. This signals 1 to run a shallow cut and exchange positions.

Shallow cut when the ball goes to the corner.

If the ball is on the corner and the pass back to the wing is denied, 2 can run a shallow cut. This will pull X2 toward the basket and open up the passing lane while 1 fills the open spot.

This should allow for a quick ball reversal to 2 and continuation of the pattern.

Use Basic Zone Offense Principles

As with any offense, there are principles you need to follow to make it work...

• You need to maintain excellent spacing.
• Teach players fundamentals -- shooting, sealing inside, posting up, passing, dribbling, etc.
• Use pass fakes to move the zone.
• Get the ball inside via post passes and dribble drive.
• Use ball reversals to shift the zone.

The key to zone offense is to "disrupt zone responsibilities". In a zone, each player is responsible for guarding an area. If you can momentarily force a defender to be in a position so they can't guard "their area", you have a chance to exploit the zone. This, in fact, is the zone's biggest weakness and why you should actually like playing against zones.

You know ahead of time where the defenders will be and which area they are responsible for. So now you can exploit those responsibilities via screening, cutting, player movement, and ball movement.

Adjustments Against 1-3-1 Zone

This pattern is usually more effective against an odd front zone like a 1-3-1 zone. The only adjustment you need to make is to teach your screener who to screen (the defender responsible for covering the strong side block). Determine who is responsible for covering that area and screen them.

Variation - Designated Flex Cutter

A variation to this pattern is to use a designated flex cutter. Have one flex cutter (rover) and the other two posts constantly screen the zone and open to the ball. The cutter should look to flash to gaps rather than run traditional cuts.

Just Use Spots

One of the simplest ways to beat a zone is to just put players in the gaps of the zone and play basketball. If it's a 2-3 zone, use a 1-3-1 set and play ball. If it's a 1-3-1 zone, use a 2-3 set and play basketball.

The key to any zone offense is following basic zone principles. In reality, it doesn't matter what you run if you have skilled players that follow zone principles.

The Hybrid Flex Offense with Don Kelbick This DVD set includes the basic flex pattern, how to introduce hybrid options and motion counters, how to teach the flex, 8 alternate entries to disguise and initiate the flex offense, how to handle all defensive situations such as pressure and switching, 5 highly effective scoring options out of the flex offense, and flex drills to develop the offense. This DVD is 80 minutes long and neatly organized ... (more info)

Comments Most Likes First   Oldest First   Newest First Coach Travis says: 2/22/2018 at 1:31:05 PM Having run this against both the even and odd front zones, I actually believe this is more useful against odd front zones (1-3-1, 3-2, 1-2-2). When I ran it against 2-3 it was hard to get that screen against the middle guy before the zone shifted. Also it's hard to set the screen, get a seal, and get out before having a 3 second violation call against you when playing the 2-3 zone. Maybe I'm just not training my players to set the screen early enough, but my advice would be to use this against odd front zones. Especially if you have a lot of size and not so many great outside shooters. Like     login   register James B says: 4/29/2016 at 8:35:40 AM The basic action I believe is where Flex originated - Reverse Action! Like     login   register Mo says: 11/25/2014 at 12:40:23 PM Great work! I have the same question as Roy, how would this work against a 1-3-1 with high pressure on the guards or a 4-1 zone. Like     login   register Roy says: 11/19/2013 at 11:07:31 AM Great explanation of how to use this offense against a zone. Would love to see some diagrams against 1-3-1 or 4-1 zone defense. Like     login   register coach joseph says: 11/12/2013 at 7:43:10 PM it''s great help for our team, thank u Like     login   register

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