Purpose: Work on defensive rebounding techniques, blocking out, and executing a solid outlet pass. Drill: This rebounding drill requires three players, a coach/manager, and a basketball. The defensive player (X1) begins a couple feet below the free throw line. O1 and O2 begin on each wing. The coach/manager starts at the top of the key. Coach passes to either O1 or O2. X1 closes out on the shooter who shoots the ball. X1 contests, calls 'shot', then boxes out the shooter. After boxing out, X1 … [Read more...]
3-Man Weave Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To build rebounding skills through the use of lateral movements and footwork. Players must execute proper block out technique while on the move. Drill: Three players at a basket as shown. Two wings and one at the top. The players who are not actually rebounding the missed shot exchange positions with one another. The drill starts with O1 shooting the basketball off the backboard towards O3. O1 and O2 then interchange positions. O3, who now has the ball, shoots it off the … [Read more...]
2-on-2 Competitive Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To teach proper rebounding within a game-like situation. The 2-on-2 setup allows the rebounder to focus on either blocking out (defensively) or going after the missed shot (offensively). This drill is also excellent in developing inside moves and the ability to finish strong. Drill: This 2-on-2 drill starts with O1 and O2 vs. X1 and X2. O1 starts with the basketball and throws a pass to either X1 or X2, who then shoots. Play all shots as a miss, even if it goes in. (If you have a rim … [Read more...]
Team Scramble Rebounding Drill
Purpose: The defensive players must work hard to keep the offensive players from getting to the basketball. Drill: A basketball is placed on the floor under the basket. Five offensive players line up around the perimeter at about the 3-point line. Five defenders stand between the offensive players and the basketball. On the word 'Go', the defenders make contact and block out the offensive players. The goal is to keep them away from the ball for 3 to 5 seconds. Coaching Points: Generally … [Read more...]
Cross-Court Block Outs
Purpose: To develop defensive rebounding blockout techniques. Also develops intensity and toughness. Drill: Form two lines with one at the free throw line extended at the sideline. The other line at the midcourt line. The sideline is the defensive blocker and the middle is the offensive rebounder. The basketball is placed on the floor in the free throw circle. On whistle or signal from coach, one player from each line goes for the ball. The defensive blocker must make contact and hold contact … [Read more...]
Anticipation Rebounding Drill
Purpose: This rebounding drill simulates specific defensive movement and footwork. It teaches players to anticipate when and where the basketball is going to come off the rim following a shot. It also stresses the importance of closing out on the shooter. Drill: O1 and O2 start near the baseline, as shown. O3 starts a few feet off the lane, about 10 feet from the basket. O3 makes a v-cut and receives pass from O1. O3 catches and shoots as O2 advances toward O3 to contest the shot, block … [Read more...]
2 and 3 Player Shell Blockout Drills
Purpose: These two simple rebounding drills break down the skill of defensive rebounding. The defenders must work on the ballside blockout and the helpside blockout, depending upon their position to the shooter. Drill: 2 offensive players and 2 defensive players, as shown. Also, have a manager or coach as the shooter. I generally don't like to use other players in rebounding drills because the attempt is to miss the shot -- I don't want players practicing to miss! The shooter will shoot from … [Read more...]
Block Out Pivot Drill
Purpose: To develop the technique of blocking out and preventing the offense from attaining a rebound. Players will learn 4 types of block outs and the footwork involved in order to keep the offensive player away from the rebound. Drill: 5 offensive players will spread out around the three-point arc with 5 corresponding defenders. When first learning this drill, there will be no shooting. This is a technique drill. Shooting can be added later (see below). On the command of "shot", all … [Read more...]
Tap and Finish Drill
Purpose: This simple individual drill is designed to strengthen and improve hand-eye coordination, left and right hand skills, rebounding, and the ability to 'finish'. Drill: The player will stand with a basketball facing the backboard on the right side of the rim. The shoulders should be square to the backboard. To begin, the player will toss the ball off the backboard and tap it, one-handed, 5 consecutive times. The player should jump to tap as if going for a rebound; the feet should not be … [Read more...]
Finish the Rebound Drill
Purpose: To develop the ability to offensive rebound and have a strong putback to finish with a score. Drill: Players will form groups of 3 and go to a basket (each group will also need a basketball). O1 will toss or shoot the ball off the rim or backboard (the intent is to miss the shot). O2 will step to the hoop, jump up to secure the rebound, come down, and then power back up for the score. As O2 comes down, O3 will attempt to strip the ball from O2. Repeat for a predetermined number of … [Read more...]