Rebounding

Many shots are missed, creating opportunities to rebound the basketball. Rebounding is typically about desire, hustle, and positioning.  Jumping ability is not the main skill required to be a good rebounder. A player must be aggressive, want the basketball, and be in the proper position to rebound a missed shot.

When discussing offensive rebounding, a coach should remind players that each shot taken by a teammate should be viewed as a potential pass to them! Second chance points (put-backs) can be a big contributor to a team’s offensive production.

Rebounding Teaching Points: 

• Shots most often come off on the opposite side of the basket at the same angle from where the shot is taken.
• The defensive player should stay between the opponent and the basket.
• Using a front or reverse pivot, the defensive player pivots and makes contact with the opponent’s body when the ball is shot (“block out”).
• The defensive players should yell “shot” to signal a rebounding opportunity.
• Hold the “block out” position momentarily, with the head up and body facing the goal, while making contact with an offensive player, and make sure that you are in a good athletic position.
• The player should then release the “block out” to go after and secure the basketball.
• The player must be strong with the basketball, keeping the ball at chin level with elbows out.  Practice turning to the outside of the lane (away from defenders) and prepare to make an outlet pass in order to initiate a fast break.

Circle Block Out Drill

• Pair up players: one player will be on offense and one on defense.
• Form a circle with the players, with each pair about six to eight feet apart.
• Place a ball in the middle of the circle.
• On command, defensive players pivot and block out offensive player for two to three seconds.
• Offensive players should try to get around defenders and get the ball.
• Play stops when an offensive player secures the basketball or on coach’s whistle.
• Rotate roles and run drill again (repeat as desired).

Variation 
If coaching kindergarten through second-grade players, you should start with the offensive players staying in place. 

Rebound Outlet Drill

• Facing the basket, players form two lines: one at each corner of the free-throw line.
• Place one player at each wing area to serve as an outlet receiver.
• The player in the front of each line will turn their back toward the basket (defensive player), facing the next player in line (offensive player).
• When the coach shoots the basketball, the defensive players will yell “shot” and pivot into the offensive players to obtain a good “block out”.
• Offensive players cannot move.
• Once a defender secures the basketball, they will pivot towards the outside and throw a crisp overhead outlet pass to an outlet receiver.
• Players rotate from offense/to defense/to outlet receiver/to back of the line.

Variations: 

1. Use one line instead of two 
2. When the ball is shot, the offense can move and try to score off a missed shot 
3. Run drill with no defensive players, practicing on offensive rebounding and exploding up to the basket to score (no dribble allowed)

Two on Two Shell Drill

This drill is designed to emphasize the following basketball fundamentals: moving without the basketball, proper defensive positioning, utilizing the “block out” technique, passing, and receiving.

(Set-up drill just like the Rebound Outlet Drill – see the illustration, minus the outlet receiver) 

• Facing the basket, players form two lines, one at each corner of the free-throw line.
• The player in the front of each line will turn their back toward the basket (defensive player), facing the next player in line (offensive player).
• The coach should instruct the offensive players to move without the ball, trying to get open to receive a pass from the coach (do not allow players to run aimlessly; they must move with a purpose).
• If an offensive player receives a pass, they must immediately pass the ball back to the coach.
• When the coach shoots the basketball, the defensive players will yell “shot” and pivot into the offensive players to obtain a good “block out”.
• If an offensive player rebounds the ball, they can shoot (no dribble allowed) or pass the ball back to the coach.
• The drill ends when the defensive player secures the basketball and makes a two-hand overhead outlet pass to the coach.

Variations:  

1. Three-on-three up to five-on-five format. 
2. Allow the offense two to three dribbles (require a shot in 10-15 seconds).