Secrets to Getting a Few Extra Rebounds a Game

How valuable would it be to you if you could figure out a way to get 2 or 3 extra rebounds a game?

Let's say you currently grab an average of 7 boards a game (which is a good average). But if you could kick that up to 10 boards a game, just think of what kind of an impact that would have on your playing time, and your career prospects.

The following article gives you some tricks, or secrets, for getting a few extra rebounds a game.

Rebounding is about positioning, footwork, anticipation, jumping ability, and effort. In short: get in position (where the ball is likely to go), get a wide (solid) base, and finally go after the rebound with a vengeance. But here are some simple ways to pick up an extra rebound or two every game.

Make a second and third effort to go after the rebound

If you are on offense and you go for the rebound and get blocked out, make another cut. Spin off the first block-out attempt. Do something to put yourself in a better position to get the ball.

Most of the time players don't want to work all that hard. A player will often make one block-out attempt and that's about it. But it takes a really good player to continue blocking for an extended period, or to thwart your two or three attempts on one play.

So often, all it will take to get into a good rebounding position is to make more than one try at getting into good position.

Tipping the ball

Make an effort to tip the ball if you can't grab it. If you're not able to fully control a rebound, try tipping the ball to yourself or a teammate.

Of course, your first goal is to secure a rebound and take possession. But if you're not able to come down with a rebound, tipping the ball may make sense. It gives you another shot at gaining control of the ball.

Tipping the ball can take a few forms. A controlled tip might allow you to put the ball right back into the basket. Tipping in a rebound isn't easy, but with some practice, you might be able to get fairly skilled at tipping in a missed shot. But a word of warning: it's usually better to grab a rebound, come down with it, and then go back up strong. Trying to tip in a missed shot shouldn't be tried too often unless you're really skilled at it, and it's your only option.

The other form of tipping a ball is to try to tip a rebound back up into the air so you or a teammate will have a better chance of eventually grabbing the ball. Again, your first choice it to grab the initial rebound. But if the other team is almost certain to gain control, tip the ball and at least give yourself a slight chance to eventually gain possession of the ball. A controlled tip is considered a rebound, so you help your team and your stats.

Go after the ball with aggressiveness

This one may sound simple, but I can't tell you how many times players will make a good effort at getting good position, make a good effort at jumping for the ball, and a good effort at securing the rebound. But a "good effort" isn't what it's all about. You have to make an all-out, great effort to grab the rebound. You have to go after the ball ss if your life depends on it. That is the kind of laser-like focus and agressiveness you need to have to become a dominant rebounder.

If you watch any basketball game, there will likely be at least one or two situations where a long rebound is bouncing around for a few seconds before anyone grabs the ball. Often, whoever decides to sprint to the ball will eventually gain control. It's simply an effort play. Do it once a game, and you just increased your rebounding average by one rebound per game.

Make a second or third effort to get in good rebounding position. Tip a rebound and give yourself a second chance if you aren't able to gain control right away. And hustle after long rebounds. I guarantee that if you integrate these three techniques into your game, you'll be a better rebounder.

So how did the great rebounders of all-time get to be so good? They had physical ability. They had good technique. But most of all, they had a huge, unstoppable desire to be great rebounders. They made a decision to go after every single rebound. They made a decision that getting a few rebounds here or there was not enough. They made the decision to DOMINATE the boards.

You can too. Make the decision to become a dominant rebounder. Work hard and becoming stronger and quicker to the ball. Then go out and make it happen.

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