4 Rebounding Drills to Try on the Basketball Court

In basketball, a rebound occurs when a basketball player misses a shot attempt. As the ball rebounds—or bounces off the rim or backboard of the net—players from the offensive and defensive teams try to gain possession of the ball and score a field goal, three-point goal, or free throw.

There are two types of rebounds: offensive and defensive. An offensive rebound is when offensive players regain possession of the ball after a missed shot. In contrast, defensive rebounds occur when defensive players gain possession of the ball after an offensive player misses the shot.

Offensive rebounding occurs less frequently than defensive rebounds because the defensive team is typically closer to the basket and can gain greater access to a rebound by boxing out or positioning themselves between an opponent and the basket to grab a rebound.

Good rebounding can be a key component to winning a basketball game. There are several basics for performing a rebound, including:

1. 1. Box out your opponent: A box out, or block out, is a fundamental rebounding technique. To box out, position yourself between the opposing player and the net. Use your body to form a solid “wall” between the opposing player and the hoop, and stay low to prevent them from jumping when the ball is in the air.
2. 2. Focus on jumping and arm extension: Start moving as soon as the offensive player moves to make a field goal. Jump high, with arms upraised, when the ball is in motion after the rebound. Grab the ball and pull it down to you and away from any opponents. With your elbows extended, pivot away from the offensive players. You need ball-handling skills to protect the possession.
3. 3. Do an outlet pass: An outlet pass is an easy way to push the ball up the court after a rebound. To perform this basic pass, turn to the opposite side of the court and find a player to begin the offensive play, then pass the ball to a teammate to move it up the court and initiate a fast break—a quick drive toward the basket.

There are several basketball rebounding drills that a basketball coach can use to improve a player’s rebounding skills, including:

1. 1. Box out drills: These basketball drills refine rebounding techniques while also teaching players how to position themselves to retrieve a rebound. The drill requires five players—one player at the three-point line and two sets of two players inside the key (the area from the foul line to the court’s baseline). The first player shoots continuous baskets while the others hustle for rebounds. The team that retrieves the ball receives a point and passes the ball back to the first player to shoot again. The first team to score ten points is the winner. Learn other basketball drills in this complete guide.
2. 2. Layup drill: This shooting drill requires two balls and a chair. The chair goes on the right end of the free-throw line with a ball on the seat. A player takes the second ball to the net three times and bangs on the boards in each turn. The player makes the basket on the fourth turn, lets the first ball go out of bounds, and then cuts up the lane to take the second ball from the chair. From there, the player drives to the hoop for a one-dribble layup, and the drill repeats with the chair on the left end of the free-throw line.
3. 3. Outlet pass drill: A team splits into two groups and lines up on each baseline. One player from each team stands at half court, while another player stands under the basket. The second player rebounds the ball off the boards and outlet passes it to their teammate at half court. The first player then dribbles the ball to the three-point line to make a three-pointer or jump shot and then advances under the basket, while the next player at the baseline moves to half court.
4. 4. Zone defense drill: In a zone defense, players cover a specific part of the basketball court and defend against an opponent when they enter the zone. For this competitive rebounding drill, five players receive numbers and stand around the arc of the restricted zone under the basket, while two other players stand under the basket. The coach shoots the ball and calls out two of the numbered players to advance on the hoop while the inside players box them out. Learn how zone defense compares to man-to-man defense.

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