2-1-2 Modified Flex

Introduction

The flex offense is utilized in all levels of , and there have been many variations of this offense. The base cuts of the 2-1-2 Modified Flex is the “Flex Cut” and “UCLA” back . As with the other flex offenses, players need to be able to make reads on defensive overplays. Also, as a coach, you will have to decide if you want to “head hunt” the defense when you screen or screen an area and have your cutters rub the screen. Either way, the offensive cutter and the screener are going to have to work together in order to get open looks. If the cutter is not going to allow the screener to get set, you are going to run into some timing issues.

Being that this is a , all 5 players need to be able to play all the positions on the floor. Therefore, your post players are going to have to be able to play on the perimeter and your guards are going to have to be able to in the post. Allowing time for individual development is therefore vital to the success of this offense.

In this offense, every time a player catches the ball, he needs to use the Rim Post Action philosophy. On the catch, players should look to shoot or drive (Rim), dump the ball in the post (Post), or make a ball reversal pass (Action).

Spacing is also critical in this offense. You will want to spread the defense so that there is more room for cutting and penetration. When players dribble penetrate, the other players are going to have to move to open penetration lanes and to make themselves available for kick outs and post feeds.

Basic Set Up 3 4 1. Start out of a 2-1-2 set. 2. 3 and 4 L-cut out to wing positions 5

2 1

Wing Entry into UCLA Action 1. On the wing entry, guard will rub off of the high post on a UCLA cut to ball side . 3 4 5

2 1

Post Shape Up and Cross Screen Action 1 1. High steps out for ball reversal while 4 cuts to high post off a 4 cross screen set by the 2 guard. 5 3 2. If the ball does get entered to the high post, 3 can duck in for a high low look.

2

Ball Reversal with Flex Action 1 1. 3 man runs a flex cut on the ball reversal. 2. Need to read if the high post defender sags off to help on 4 3 flex cut. High post will then be open. 3. Down screen is set for the flex screener for a 3 ball or ball 2 reversal. 5

Back into 2-1-2 Set 3 5 1. We are now back into our original set. 2. L-cuts are made to get to the wings

4

2 1

UCLA Action with Cross Screen Action 1. 2 guard runs UCLA cut. 5 2. High post shapes up. 3. Opposite wing flashes to high post off of cross screen 3 4

1 2

Flex Cut 2 1. Opposite wing flex cuts 2. Down screen for ball reversal 3 3. We are now in our original 2-1-2 set 5

1 4

Defensive Reads and Counters (Wing Entry Deny) 3 1. IF the defense is denying the wing entry, run abackdoor cut

X3 4 X5 5

1 2

Defensive Reads and Counters (Wing Entry Deny) 4 1. If you can not hit the wing entry and back doors are not 3 open: X3 a. Set a high ball screen for a screen and roll X5 5 2 b. 2 will drift with the drive 1 c. 4 steps out short corner d. Opposite wing will crack back

Defensive Reads and Counters (Switching on the Flex cut) X3 3 X4 4 1. If teams start to switch the flex cut, the person who sets the screen should “Go” back to the ball and post up the other 5 defender. 1 2 2. If the high post defender sags to help on post defense, high post should be open.

Note: This is why it is important that your guards are able to play in the post. Also, if teams are going to switch all screens, players are going to want to look to slip screens and use quick cuts. Defensive Reads and Counters (Post Defender Defending X3 X1 X5 X2 Guard of Screen Switch)

1. If you happen to get a post defending a guard, go into a 1-4 low and allow your guard to penetrate and create for X4 himself or his teammates. 2 4 1 5 3 2. Other 4 offensive players need to be sure to get below the defense to make it difficult for the defense to see the person they are guarding and the ball.