In　this　paper,　a　novel　fast　flexible　ring-like　search(FFRS)　algorithm　is　proposed,　which　is　a　consideration　of　the　characteristics　of　motion　compensation　and　also　the　statistical　distribution　of　motion　vectors　for　H.264/AVC.　It　makes　use　of　the　correlation　among　the　motion　vectors　of　neighboring　blocks,　and　checks　the　motion　speed(fast　or　slow)　of　the　block　and　the　direction　of　the　motion.　Then　it　applies　a　flexible　and　adaptive　search　ring　to　perform　motion　estimation.　This　algorithm　analyzes　how　to　reduce　candidate-searching　points　and　how　to　improve　the　accuracy　of　motion　estimation.　Experimental　results　show　that　its　search　efficiency　outperforms　fast　search(UMHexagonS)　algorithm　of　H.264/AVC　video　coding　standard.　©　2006　IEEE.