Basketball Rebounding Drills

While not always glamorous, rebounding is truly one of the most important foundations to basketball success. Below, you’ll find our collection of basketball rebounding drills to help your players become tougher and more active in the paint, and help your team control the glass with superior skill.

Although height and jumping ability help, there is no substitute for proper technique, grit and determination under the boards!

For more basketball rebounding drills and workouts for inside scoring, check out the Post Skill Development eBook.

Rebounding Basics - Blocking Out the Shooter

1. When the shot goes up, the defender’s FIRST responsibility is to find his man and block him out. Block out first, then find and retrieve the ball.
2. To block out the shooter – contest the shot, then make a rear turn (reverse pivot) and make contact with the shooter butt-first.
3. The player guarding the shooter should also call out “shot” to alert teammates that they need to block out, too.

Blocking Out From Help Position

1. You should always be positioned on defense so you see both the ball and your man
2. When shot goes up, find your man and run out to him just like a close out.
3. Step your pivot foot between his legs, raise your lead arm and rear turn (reverse pivot) into him to make contact butt-first
4. Influence him to the outside, away from the middle
5. If your man releases down court, find another nearby player to block out.
6. If playing against a great rebounder, you can use a Face Block Out, which is like fronting the post, to keep him from getting to the ball. Defender faces the rebounder and his sole responsibility is to keep his man from getting the rebound. He doesn’t worry about the ball.

Rebounding the Ball

1. With the box out secured, turn your attention to the hoop and try to determine where the ball will richochet off to and land
2. Roughly two thirds of shots will rebound to the opposite side of the basket, so position yourself accordingly
3. Longer shots (like three-pointers) will produce longer, higher rebounds. Shorter shots, like layups, will produce softer rebounds that stay close to the basket
4. Try to rebound the ball with two hands, then secure it under your chin with your elbows out wide and knees bent in an athletic position
5. On offensive rebounds try to put your shot back up and in without dropping the ball first
6. On defensive rebounds, pivot upcourt, look for a teammate and send a crisp pass to start your early offense