Offensive Rebounding Drills

By: Ryan Goodson

Originally Published in: Basketball Essentials

Provided by: Human Kinetics

Fake-and-Go Drill

When cutting to regain inside position for a rebound, use the Fake-and-Go. The Fake-and-Go is most applicable when the defense attempts to box out using a reverse-turn pivot. To execute the Fake-and-Go, look at the basketball and the floor before the shot. Move on the flight of the shot as soon as it leaves the shooter's hands; then sprint directly toward your opponent. From here you have the choice to either fake right followed by a cut to the left to pursue the ball or to fake left followed by a cut to the right to pursue the ball. Once the fake is made, sprint hard to the ball with your hands outstretched and leap high to retrieve the basketball at the apex of the jump. Finish by tucking the ball under your chin for security and landing with a wide base for balance.

Breakdown

Setup

• Use two players and one basketball.
• Player 1 is on offense and is outside the three-point arc; player 2 is on defense and is inside the paint. The coach has the basketball.

Execution

1. The coach attempts a shot.
2. When the shot goes up, player 2 sprints to player 1 to box out while player 1 executes a Fake-and-Go cut to the basketball for the rebound.
3. Players change positions and repeat the drill until each player has executed 10 repetitions.

Coaching Point

The defender is not actually defending but instead is a tool for instruction. The defender should react to the move as if they've been faked out.

Spin Move Drill

When cutting to regain inside position for a rebound, use the spin move (also called the washing machine). The spin move is most applicable when the defense blocks the offensive player's cut to the rim with contact. To execute the spin move, first look at the basketball and the floor before the shot. Move on the flight of the shot as soon as it leaves the shooter's hands; then sprint directly toward your opponent. When contact occurs, spin 360 degrees in the opposite direction of contact. For example, if the defender strikes you with a forearm to the right shoulder, spin to the left. Once the spin is executed, sprint hard to the ball with your hands outstretched and leap high to retrieve the basketball at the apex of the jump. Finish by tucking the ball under your chin for security and landing with a wide base for balance.

Breakdown

Setup

• Use two players and one basketball.
• Player 1 is on offense and is outside the three-point arc, player 2 is on defense and is inside the paint. The coach has the basketball.

Execution

1. The coach attempts a shot.
2. When the shot goes up, player 2 sprints to player 1 to box out while player 1 executes a spin move and cuts to the basketball for the rebound.
3. Players change positions and repeat the drill until each player has executed 10 repetitions.

Coaching Point

The defender is not actually defending but instead is a tool for instruction. The defender should react to the move as if they've been faked out.

Straight Cut Drill

When cutting to regain inside position for a rebound, use the straight cut (also known as the go cut). The straight cut is most applicable when the defense attempts to box out using a front-turn pivot or when there is no defender between the offensive player and the basket. To execute the straight cut, first look at the basketball and the floor before the shot. Move on the flight of the shot as soon as it leaves the shooter's hands; then find the open gap and sprint in a straight line toward the basketball with your hands outstretched and leap high to retrieve the basketball at the apex of the jump. Finish by tucking the ball under your chin for security and landing with a wide base for balance.

Breakdown

Setup

• Use two players and one basketball.
• Player 1 is on offense and is outside the three-point arc; player 2 is on defense and is inside the paint. The coach has the basketball.• Player 1 is on offense and is outside the three-point arc; player 2 is on defense and is inside the paint. The coach has the basketball.

Execution

1. The coach attempts a shot.
2. When the shot goes up, player 2 sprints to player 1 to box out while player 1 executes a straight cut to the basketball for the rebound.
3. Players change positions and repeat the drill until each player has executed 10 repetitions.

Coaching Point

The defender is not actually defending but instead is a tool for instruction. The defender should react to the move as if they've been faked out.