Youth Basketball Rebounding Drills

Rebounding is a tough job. It is called "pounding the boards" or "cleaning the glass" for a reason. It is hard work and a skill that can only be developed by practicing basketball rebounding drills as often as any other basketball drill. Rebounding is probably the most physical aspect of the game of basketball, and also one of the more underappreciated. However, it is the single most effective way to gain possession of the ball. A quick check of recent champions at any level will show that success at the highest level depends quite a bit on the number of good rebounders a basketball team has.

Some players incorrectly assume that the key to basketball rebounding is being tall, or being able to jump high. The truth, however, is that the key to being an exceptional rebounder has more to do with position, timing, and desire. Defensively, you should already be between your opponent and the basket, so when a shot goes up, if you make contact by boxing out and maintain your leverage, you have the advantage to get the ball. From that point, it is all effort.

An excellent shooting team will make 50% of their shots, which means they'll miss half of them. This also means that your team's number of possessions, amount of shot attempts, and control of the ball are impacted by rebounding more than any other facet of the game. When the other team has the basketball, there are only three ways you can get it back:

1. Your opponent scores.
2. Your opponent turns the ball over.
3. Your opponent misses a shot and your team rebounds the ball.

In the course of an average game, the third way will happen more often than the first two combined. If you want the basketball, rebound!

Offensively, your team can earn more shot attempts per possession by getting offensive rebounds. Since your defender is typically in front of you when the shot goes up, offensive rebounding is less about position and leverage, and more about anticipation and quickness. The advantage you have, however, if you are the shooter is knowing where the ball is more likely to bounce. You can often tell if your shot is going to be short, or off to one side or the other. If you train yourself to "follow your shot" you will collect more offensive rebounds, and will earn more shot attempts. Test it out. Track your team shot attempts per game compared to your opponent and see how often you win when you have more.

Rebounding is another basketball skill that all five players must practice. Guards can be just as good rebounders as forwards; it's all about heart and how badly you want the basketball.
Below are some tips for good rebounding as well as some drills for your youth basketball team's practice. You can also find more free basketball skills & drills videos and tutorials online at websites like Weplay.com.

Basketball Rebounding Tips

• Communicate with your teammates when your opponent attempts a shot so they know to get into rebounding position.
  
• When a shot goes up, box out your opponent by stepping into them and pivoting so they are behind you.
  
• Maintain contact with your opponent using your backside, not your arms and hands, which is a foul.
  
• Maintain leverage by remaining in a good athletic stance. If you are too upright, you will be easy to move. Stay low and hold your ground.
  
• Find the ball and elevate to rebound the ball with both hands at the highest point possible, and secure the ball.
  
• Learn how to get to the side of defender with offensive rebounding drills
  
• When you are the shooter, follow your shot for an offensive rebound.
  
• Remember, a longer shot will result in a farther bounce off the rim.

Basketball Rebounding Drills

• Three in the Key
  Divide players into three teams. Line the teams up on the perimeter. One player from each team meets in the key. The coach attempts a shot. All three players attempt to rebound the ball. The player that comes up with the rebound goes to the end of his team's line and another player from that team enters the key. The two players that did not get the rebound remain and try again. When all the players from one team have gotten a rebound, that team is the winner.
  
  
• One on One Rebounding
  This is a very simple drill that emphasizes both offensive and defensive rebounding in a man-to-man setting. One player has the ball at the top of the key. Another player defends a separate offensive player on the perimeter. The offensive player with the ball shoots, purposely trying to miss, and the other offensive player goes to try and rebound while the defensive player tries to box him out and secure the rebound himself. If desired, some type of score could be used and rotate the position of each player in the drill.

By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay.com, a youth basketball community dedicated to providing parents coaches and athletes the tools and information to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay.com has one of the most comprehensive, free basketball drill libraries in its active basketball community.