By Give With Hoops – Tyler Whitcomb
The game of basketball continues to evolve every season. Players today grow up studying highlights, three point spacing, and quick pace transitions. Yet there is still something pure and effective about an offense built on structure, patience, and player movement. The question is not whether the old school offenses like the High Low or Flex can work in today’s game, but whether players and coaches have the discipline to commit to them.
Bill Self built a powerhouse system at Kansas using his 3 out 2 in High Low offense. It balanced modern spacing with traditional post play, demanding precise execution and timing. It created toughness and forced teams to guard multiple actions on every possession. That kind of continuity wears on defenders, forcing them to grind out every play rather than chase quick stops and runouts.
The Flex, with its constant cuts and screens, still teaches players how to read the game. With a few updates—deeper spacing, more ball screens, and freedom to shoot early if the defense collapses—it could be devastating in a world where defenses are used to guarding isolation and pick and roll.
The real challenge is buy in. Players love pace, highlights, and the freedom of modern systems. Convincing them to see the beauty in movement and structure takes time and belief. Communities want excitement too, but winning has its own thrill. Maybe the future of basketball will find a balance between old and new, between structure and freedom. If that happens, the High Low and Flex will not just survive—they will thrive again.