(1) Q: Why did we not learn about defensive rebounding earlier? 

A: Defensive rebounding is being taught now since the primary focus needed to be on boxing out. Once boxing out has been mastered, we can then learn about defensive rebounding.

(2) Q: What is the best way to secure a rebound on defense? 

A: Ideally, you will have boxed out your offensive opponent so they are behind you in relation to the basket. If not, continue to keep boxing out until you are ready to grab the rebound. Then, you will want to have proper rebounding technique.

(3) Q: What is the proper defensive rebounding technique? 

A: There are several components:

  • Run towards where the ball is coming off the hoop. You can usually tell this by understanding how the ball is being shot. 

  • Catch the ball at the apex of your jump. This requires timing. 

  • Ensure your arms are outstretched as far possible.

  • Use two hands if possible so that you can hold onto the ball more securely.

  • Once you have secured the ball, bring the ball under your chin with your elbows out. This is called “chinning the ball” and keeps the ball secure.

  • Get in your athletic stance so that you have more strength and stability to protect the ball.

(4) Q: Once you have secured the ball on the rebound, what should you do next? 

A: Once the ball has been secured, you will usually want to pass to a guard, usually the point guard, to begin your transition offense. This pass is called an outlet pass. It is very important to never turn inside to the middle (towards the key) on a rebound; there are a lot of people here, and the ball is more likely to get stolen from you, especially when outletting. Always turn away from the middle towards the nearest sideline to outlet. We will work more on this later.

SKILLS DRILLS

Skills Drill #1: Single Player Backboard Toss Rebound

Player 1 (X1) and Player 2 (X2) will start with a ball on either side of the hoop, approximately halfway to the free-throw line. They will toss the ball underhand off the backboard to themselves and perform a proper rebound. After landing, they will make a proper outlet pass to the closest wing (O1 and O2). The outlets will then pass to the next person in line. 

X1 will rotate to O1; O1 will rotate to the end of the opposite line.

Skills Drill #2: Paired Player Box Out + Rebound 

This time a Coach (C) or another player will be on both wings; one of them will have the ball. X1 will be a little below the free-throw line, and O1 will be a little above the free-throw line.

C will shoot the ball (trying to miss); X1 will box out O1 and get the rebound, outletting to the closest C. O1 will try to get the rebound as well.

If X1 gets the rebound, they get 1 point. If O1 gets the rebound, X1 gets 0 points.

Offense will rotate each time. X1 will stay on defense and will compete against every offensive player once, then the defense will switch. Whoever has the most points after everyone has gone on defense wins.

Skills Drill #3: Multi-Paired Player Box Out + Rebound 

3-5 offensive players (O) and defensive players (X) will be on the court, along with a Coach (C) with the ball. O must remain stationary outside the three-point line; X must have one foot inside the key.

When C shoots (trying to miss), O and X will try to rebound the ball. Whoever rebounds the ball must outlet it to C, who will go to the side the ball is rebounded on.

Whoever rebounds the ball, that team will receive 1 point. Each team has 5 attempts on defense, then switch. Whichever team has the most points at the end wins.