Rebounding
Basics
Being tall and able to jump is an advantage in rebounding. But being tall does not make you a rebounding maniac! Quickness, strength, proper technique, desire and aggressiveness are better qualities to have to be a great rebounder.
Some players have a knack about rebounding. They just seem to come up with the boards. They put themselves in the right place. A shot taken from the right baseline will have a good chance of bouncing off to the left baseline.
You do not need to follow the flight of the ball. Just know where the shot was taken on the floor. Once the shot is taken it will find its way to the basket. If was shot from straight on, chance are it will bounce off to the middle. Play the angles and you will find the ball. Good rebounders expect every shot to miss and are ready.
Drills
What makes a good rebounder?
- Desire
- Aggressiveness
- Positioning
- Anticipation
All work together. Desire to go after the ball, to mix it up; aggressiveness to get inside, to follow the ball; positioning to block out the opponent and be in the proper place; and anticipation to know where the ball might go.
Desire
That ball is mine - that is the attitude a good rebounder needs. Mental toughness is important. Wanting to get the ball, making the extra effort to jump two or three times to get the ball. Grabbing it and putting back a shot for two and drawing the foul is the reward.
Aggressiveness
Just like desire, the ability to take the extra effort to get the ball, dive on the floor, block someone out are all part of the whole package.
Positioning
Being it the right place and blocking out your opponent is what positioning is all about. If you are under the basket too far, the only rebounds you will get are two point ones. Getting to the right place takes instinct and experience.
Anticipation
Knowing where the ball might go is being able to anticipate where to get the rebound.