Basketball Rebounding Tips

Rebounding a huge part of the game of basketball.

Whether you play inside or out on the perimeter. Whether you're talking about offense or defense.

To get more playing time, increase your rebounding ability.

Check out the tips below to increase your rebounds per game, and get more playing time.

More rebounds = more playing time.

How to become a great rebounder

Being a great rebounder, like most other parts of the game of basketball requires more than just physical ability. This is true of most other sports as well. An athlete that really excels at their sport and separates themselves from the competition demonstrates a combination of physical talent, mental skill, fierce determination, and a tireless drive to succeed.

Which of these areas is most important? That's debatable, and there's no real answer. Without at least a baseline level of physical talent, a player will be hard-pressed to really compete at a high level or excel on a consistent basis. On the other hand, having a superior level of physical ability without adequate resources in the other areas leaves us with one of those amazing athletes that can't seem to "live up to their potential", seems to continually fall short in the clutch, and never really becomes the great player their talent led us to believe they would become.

So let's get to the question at hand: what makes a great rebounder?

Physical Skill
- There's no question that strength, jumping ability, explosiveness, conditioning, and timing are extremely important.
- Block-out technique is also vitally important.

Mental Focus
- This refers to the somewhat hard to define area of "the intangibles" and "knowledge of the game".
- Things such as anticipating when a shot is going to go up.
- Knowing, through experience and observation, where a rebound is likely to come off the rim.
- Anticipating which direction the opposing player is likely to move in an effort to grab the rebound.
- The ability to focus throughout a game (block out every time on the defensive end, go for the board every time on the offensive end).

Determination and Drive
- The competitive desire and drive to compete for every rebound.
- The drive and desire to battle the opposing player and win out over them.

All three of these areas contribute to success as a rebounder. But it all comes down to some very basic concepts: wanting to dominate the boards, focusing on every play, and working hard to make it happen.

How to dominate the offensive glass

Becoming a force on the offensive glass is all about effort. It's simply a matter of how much you want the ball and how aggressive you plan to be. There is technique involved of course, but that is often secondary to the effort level you are willing to give.

You see, as an offensive player, you start out at a disadvantage: if the defender is playing good defense, he'll be between you and the basket. Therein lies his advantage...he's got better position. It's up to you to neutralize that advantage (get even with the defender), or eliminate that advantage (get in front of the defender). That's your job.

The issue then becomes: how can you get next to (or in front of the defender), and how hard are you willing to work to make it happen? Here's how you get it done:

A quick first step
When the shot goes up, you have to make a quick first step to get around the defender. Don't give your opponent time to react or cut you off. Make the move quickly and aggressively. This is your chance to steal the advantage.

Counter-moves
If the defender cuts off your first move, don't give up. Keep moving. If your initial move is cut off, make another move in the other direction, or spin in the other direction to try to get around the defender. If your 2nd move is cut off, make a 3rd. If that move is cut off, make another effort. Keep battling until the play is over.

Effort and aggressiveness
Being a good offensive rebounder comes down to effort and aggressiveness. You have to decide to make the effort, on every play, to go after the offensive boards. And you have to make that effort with power and aggressiveness. Rebounding isn't for the faint of heart. It takes hard work and determination.

Focus
Great offensive rebounders give effort on every single play. They have a single-minded determination to attack the boards. This comes down to focus: making up your mind to go after every rebound, and never losing this mindset.

Click here for great rebounding drills

Click here to go to the main Basketball Tips page