How to Maximize Offensive Basketball Rebounding Despite Inferior Positioning

Offensive rebounding in basketball is difficult. Rebounds are usually secured by players who are nearest the goal and the missed shot. Typically, defensive players enjoy superior positioning for rebounding because they are positioned between the shooter and the goal. Good offensive rebounders win rebounding battles against even superiorly positioned players with the following techniques.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Relentless desire
• Constant ball and court awareness
• Controlled ball tapping ability

1. Watch the ball constantly so as to know when shots are attempted by teammates.
2. As a shot is released, quickly survey the floor under and around the basket. Make mental notes of teammates who are nearby.
3. With your eyes, closely follow the path of the arc of the ball as it travels toward the goal. Anticipate the likely direction and distance of the rebound by the arc of the ball. Adjust your positioning on the floor as necessary.
4. After obtaining the best available positioning for a possible rebound, and as the shot nears the goal, prepare for your jump by crouching into position.
5. Jump as the ball bounds off of the rim and towards your space.
6. Unable to catch the ball with one or both hands? Tap the basketball to any open teammate. Even if no open teammate is available, tap the ball to any teammate who is in a better position to accomplish the rebound.
7. Where a tap pass is not possible, tap the ball up and in a direction that will give you a superior opportunity to catch it on its next downward flight.
8. Grab the basketball firmly with both hands as soon as your positioning permits.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the ball alive and in the air by tapping it upward as many times as you can to maximize opportunities at winning the rebound.
• Prevent the opponent from catching the ball. Keep the ball alive any way possible. Do not stop unless the ball is firmly grasped and controlled by opponent.
• If no other options exist, tap the basketball off of the backboard. Try to bounce the ball off of the backboard so that it returns at an angle that gives you the best opportunity to rebound it.
• Good offensive rebounders become very familiar with their teammates shooting propensities. Know where your teammates' missed shots tend to travel, and position yourself accordingly.
• Although aggressive effort is essential, be careful not to violate an opposing players vertical space from behind. Otherwise, an "over the back" foul will be called.