Rebounding is mainly thought of as a tall person task, but that is far from reality – Rebounding is every players responsibility.  Yes, taller players may have a height advantage, but that doesn’t mean they will be good at rebounding. Rebounding takes an aggressive attitude, and is likely the most physical aspect of the game of basketball.  Rebounding and Boxing Out go hand in hand, and unless the ball just happens to bounce into a players hands from just standing there, a player won’t get any rebounds unless they box out first.  Boxing Out is the skill that gets a player in a better position to rebound.  A good rebounder will assume that every shot taken will be missed, and considers every missed shot is going to be a “pass” to them – this will either provide an opportunity to score (offensive rebound) or gain possession for their team (defensive rebound).

 

 

 

 

 The Rebound / Basic Info:

 

There are “offensive” and “defensive” rebounds.  A rebound occurs after a missed shot attempt.  Usually the missed shot bounces off the backboard or rim.  Players that “box out” usually get more rebounds.  Offensive players that rebound a missed shot usually get an easy basket (put-back) after the rebound.  Any shots taken far from the basket, such as the 3-point shot usually bounce further from the basket (long shot, long rebound).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Basic Steps of Rebounding:

 

 

The basic rebound is fairly easy to learn, but will take time to develop. The first step with rebounding will always be “Position” and how do you get position? By boxing out! Effort and Timing are the keys to great rebounding.

 

Rebounding Basic Example Right Side – Video Clip

 

Rebounding Basic Example Left Side – Video Clip

 

 

1. Position – When a shot is taken, players must quickly get into a good rebounding position – which means to get in a position to box out.

 

 

Boxing Out – The Steps

 

 

* Turn / Face the Player – Turn and face the player you are going to box out. Do not watch the flight of the ball, find the player you are getting ready to box out first.

 

 

* Make contact – Always make contact (use your forearm).

 

 

* Pivot – Turn (pivot) so that your back is to the player – and you are now facing the basket.

 

 

* Push backwards – Push on the player with your back (and butt), push back as far as you can, you want to create as much space to rebound as possible.

 

 

* Keep your arms up and out – So you can feel which side the player wants to move, then move (slide) your feet to maintain position.

 

 

* Stay Low – Keep your knees bent slightly, this will you to push the player back harder (maintaining a lower center of gravity).

 

 

* Always maintain balance – Don’t allow your opponent to throw you off balance.

 

 

2. Once in the boxing out position (with feet shoulder width apart, knees bent slightly, and keep arms up and out to just above your head):

 

 

* Hold the player – Don’t release from holding the player until it’s the right time.

 

 

* Keep Arms / Hands Up – Keep your hands up (always be ready in case the ball comes off the rim unexpectedly, etc).

 

 

* Time your jump – You want to grab the ball at the highest point of your jump. Concentrate and anticipate the flight of the ball.

 

 

* Secure the basketball – Hold the basketball securely with both hands, keep your elbows out in a fixed position, and “Chin” the basketball (which means hold the basketball up under your chin).

 

 

Do not swing your elbows aggressively, this could result in an offensive foul.

 

 

Boxing Out Example Right Side – Video Clip

 

 Boxing Out Example Left Side – Video Clip

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boxing Out Moves – Get in a position to Rebound!

 

 

What do you do if you cannot get in a position to box out properly?

 

A player will need to use speed and aggressiveness to rebound in “traffic.”  Jump between other players, grab the ball with one hand if possible, or “tip” the ball up so you can gain possession.  Crash the boards!  Get that rebound with hard work and extra effort – don’t give up until you’ve done everything you can to get the rebound.  Here are some Boxing Out Moves that players can learn to get in position to rebound.  If you want to gain the advantage against your opponent, learn these moves to increase your rebounding skills.

 

Boxing Out “Arm Over” Move Example – Video Clip

 

 Boxing Out “Arm Over / Spin” Move Example – Video Clip

 

 Boxing Out “Step Around” Move Example – Video Clip

 

 Rebounding Trick / Tipping the Ball Example – Video Clip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Types of Rebounds:

 

 

Defensive Rebounds – Once you secure a defensive rebound you will need to make an outlet pass to a guard. The outlet pass can be the start of the fast break, which in turn gets your team a quick score. You may not score the basket on the fast break, but your rebound (and good outlet pass) is the main reason why the basket occurred (no rebound, no fast break).

 

 

Offensive Rebounds – Once you secure a offensive rebound you will need to go back up with it and shoot – there is no other option when you have the ball that close to the basket than to shoot – it is a rule I teach my players. Here is one of the main drills that I teach my post players to build this skill…

 

 

Offensive Put Back Drill – Video Clip

 

 

Of course any long offensive rebounds (well away from the basket) would not fall under the “put back” rule.

 

 

Long Shot / Long Rebound – You can expect that a missed 3-point shot will result in a long rebound (not always, but a good percentage of the time). Use the rule “Long Shot / Long Rebound” when anticipating rebounds.

 

 

Weak Side Rebounds / Area – The weak side rebound area is considered the area around the block – that is on the opposite the side of the ball. It is estimated that 70% of all rebounds can come from the weak side. It is important to ensure that offensive players drop down to this position when it is their responsibility! The weak side rebound can be a very good opportunity for a quick basket. Many easy baskets (put-backs) occur here!

 

 

 

Weak Side Rebounding Example – Video Clip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Boxing Out – Definition

 

Definition:  Boxing out is when a player (offensive or defensive) gets position and prevents their opponent from getting a rebound. Boxing out requires aggressiveness and toughness in a player.

 

 

Boxing out is a very simple skill to learn, but one of the hardest skills for players to remember to do in the game.

 

 

Boxing Out Team Drill – Video Clip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Jump Higher:

 

Jumping is definitely a major skill needed for rebounding. Yes, a player can just stand there and the ball just falls into their lap – but that’s not really rebounding. Good rebounding entails jumping high, so like any other basketball skill, you have to practice jumping. Here’s one very good drill that will help build jumping skills…

 

 

 

Wall Taps – Video Clip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Rebounding Tips / Notes:

 

 

1. Even though Rebounding and Boxing Out are two different skills, they are both needed for good rebounding to take place. They go hand in hand.

 

 

2. Outlet Pass – A good rebounder that looks to outlet the ball to a guard quickly can start the fast break (and enable the team to get some points quickly).

 

 

3. Keep the Ball up High – especially in a crowd, keep the ball up high over your head.

 

Important Teaching point: Whenever a post player brings the ball down low (to the waste area for example), I tell them that they are no longer tall (a 6ft post player is no longer 6ft if they bring the ball down to waste level), and that when they do bring the ball low, the ball is now subject to being stolen (usually by an aggressive guard).

 

 Rebounding Tip / Keep the Ball above your Head – Video Clip

 

4. Want the Ball – Any player that really wants the ball (and boxes out) can become a good rebounder. You have to want the ball more than your opponent, you have to put everything you have into gaining possession of the ball.

 

 

5. Where do most rebounds fall – A good rebound is not always taken above the rim (by jumping high). Most rebounds are taken below the rim, and from the “weak side” rebounding position.

 Weak Side Rebound Example – Video Clip

 

6. Be aggressive when rebounding – Do everything you can to gain position on your opponent (remember, your opponent is also trying to box you out). You must be faster, quicker, or make a move to get position (change direction, use a spin move, or fight to step around the player).

 

 

7. Contact – To be a good rebounder, you can’t be afraid of the contact. If you stand your ground and tough it out, your opponent may not be so eager to rebound against you. Be physical, but be clean (don’t throw punches or elbows, etc).

 

 

8. When you hear the word “shot” yelled out by one of your teammates, this means to box out, then look to rebound. The word “shot” means to “box out” in the language of basketball.

 

 

Important Note: Players should not watch the flight of the ball after a shot is taken, but rather find an opponent to box out first, then look for the basketball…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Blocking Pad:

 

 

One of the most beneficial practice aids I have used is the basic Blocking Shield (the small size blocking pad used in football).  First, this piece of equipment is used to protect the holder from excessive contact.  Second, it allows players to be more aggressive during the drill (they don’t have to hold back, and they have no reason to hold back now). Where do you get the most benefit?  I would say with the post players. Having a blocking shield around can make for some tough, aggressive workouts from your players. Contact is something that needs to be taught to players!  A team can have the tallest player around, but if they don’t use their size – it will not help the team.  How are you going to teach a post player to be tough under the basket?  Use a blocking shield – and get your post players used to aggressive contact (make it more game like for them). Check out the video clip below…

 

 

Blocking Pad Example – Video Clip

 

 

 

 The art of rebounding is a very hard skill to master – it takes a lot of hard work and dedication.  A team with one or more good rebounders will be very successful, those without good rebounders will most likely struggle.  The game is not all about the best scorer, defender, ball handler, or shooter – it has to include rebounding and boxing out.  Rebounding is kept as a statistic just like shots and free throws are, and good rebounding stats can get a player lots of playing time.  Work on rebounding and boxing out in practice so your players will be ready for the game.

 

 

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