Practice Individual Rebounding Drills
It is commonly said that defenses win basketball games. And while that is certainly true, it is only done through a combination of proper offensive and defensive techniques that a game can be won. However, when it comes to turning the tide in a game or ensuring a lead, practically nothing can be more devastating than a perfectly timed rebound.
Whether off an opposing team’s missed shot or securing a crucial offensive rebound, rebounds provide your team a chance to score additional points and take crucial seconds off the clock.
If you want to get better at rebounding, then simply read below on the best way to practice individual rebounding drills.
We’ve previously discussed how to get more rebounds per game. Within that guide, we discussed the steps needed to take within a game to secure a rebound.
This not only included learning to anticipate where a ball may land after a shot attempt but also how to effectively box out an opposing player, ensuring ample space and room between yourself and the rim. However, before you can take your rebounding skills to the court, you will need to practice rebounding drills on your own.
While it certainly may be easier to practice rebounding drills with others, many times we may simply not have that luxury. Instead of bemoaning the lack of other players to practice with, utilize these individual rebounding drills on your own to better improve your own rebounding skills.
Shoot and Analyze
We’ve also previously discussed how rebounding is a game of probabilities.
Within the art of rebounding are the laws of physics. While that may seem odd, it is actually very simple. Everything in life, including basketball, follows the laws of physics. This means that when a shot attempt is made, there are certain probabilities on where it will land.
Now, of-course, this is highly dependent on a multitude of factors. But assuming you are playing indoors without wind disturbances, then there are typically a set number of outcomes which can occur after a shot attempt is made.
To understand these probabilities, it is of utmost importance to practice these probabilities. In order to become a better rebounder, you need to become a better anticipator. That is, you need to understand where the ball is likely to land after a missed shot.
To do this, simply go to an open court and begin shooting. While you should aim to make each shot, practice individually on where your missed shots land. If you take a shot from the corner three, where is it likely to end up? Similarly, if you take a shot from the free-throw line, where may your missed shot land?
The best rebounders aren’t simply the best because of their strength and size. Rather, they are the best rebounders because they instinctually anticipate where the ball will land after a missed shot.
Squats for Box Outs
One of the absolute best ways to secure an offensive or defensive rebound is to utilize the box out method properly. To box out, simply squat low between an opposing player and the rim. Keep your hands high and out to better secure the ball.
The box out is an essential tool in rebounding. However, it is a taxing position and one that can cause soreness. In order to better acclimate yourself to the box out, we highly recommend practicing your squats.
Whether you are alone in a gym or at home, you can conduct a squat by simply standing tall, with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes faced forward. You should feel stable and supported in this stance.
Hold your chest and head high and look directly in front of you. Pull your shoulders down and keep your spine in a neutral position. Maintain the weight with dumbbells in your hands or a barbell on your back shoulders. Bend your knees and hinge forward at the hips, keeping them square. Utilizing your glutes, push back up through your heels to stand back up.
Pound the Board
The pound the board workout is a great rebounding drill that can be performed individually or with your teammates. Lined up directly beneath the backboard, with the ball in hand, jump up three times, each time pounding the ball against the backboard.
On the third jump, utilizing the further hand from the rim, toss the ball over the basket, sliding over to catch it with the opposing hand. Repeat on the opposite side.
Shot Put Back
The shot put back is a useful drill to practice individual rebounding. Starting at or near the free-throw line, take a shot with the intention to make the shot. However, if you miss, quickly chase the rebound and shoot from where you picked the rebound up.
Similarly, after each subsequent shot, continue to chase the ball and take a shot from where the rebound was secured. If you do make a shot attempt, pick the ball up and return to the free-throw line, repeating for fifteen-minutes.
Off the Wall
The off the wall rebounding drill will help with both your hand-eye coordination and your jumping abilities. It is also a relatively easy rebounding drill that will substantially increase your rebounding abilities.
To perform, simply throw a basketball against a high-level wall. As the ball descends back to you, jump up and grab the ball. With your feet firmly planted, throw the ball again against the wall, repeating the process for fifteen-minutes.