Offensive Rebounding Drills
By Hal Wissel
Tipping. Stand in front of the right side of the backboard in a balanced stance. You will use only one hand when tipping. Balance the ball in your right hand with your wrist flexed back at a 45 degree angle, your elbow in, and the ball in front and above your right shoulder. Keep both your tipping hand and your non-tipping hand above shoulder level. Shoot the ball high and softly on the right side of the backboard. Time your jump so that you tip the ball at the top of your jump. Tip the ball high on the board using your right hand. Use a handshake position to catch and control the ball with your finger pads. When tipping lift the ball by extending your elbow and flexing your wrists and fingers in a manner similar to shooting. Land on the soles of your feet with your legs spread shoulder width apart and knees flexed in preparation for your next jump. Keep both your tipping hand and non-tipping hand above shoulder level when tipping and when on the floor preparing for your next jump. Using your right hand, tip the ball high on the board five times, and then into the basket. Change to the left side of the backboard and use the same procedure using your left hand to tip the ball high on the board five times and then into the basket.
Tipping
Alternate Hand Tipping. Alternate hand tipping is much more diffiicult. Start in front of the left side of the back-board. Using your left hand, shoot the ball high on the backboard so that it rebounds to the right side of the basket. Move quickly to your right, jump and tip the ball using your right hand so that the ball rebounds to the left side of the backboard. Now move quickly to your left and tip the ball left handed. Continue tipping the ball high across the board alternating your hands as your tip. Alternately tip the ball five times and then into the basket. Tipping is an advanced skill. Lead-up drills for tipping are particularly helpful for beginning players. Substituting a wall for the backboard is a helpful lead-up drill if you are having trouble tipping against the backboard, particularly when using your weak hand, or alternating hands. Another lead-up drill is to practice tipping the ball up in the air or against a wall without jumping. Your goal is to make at least five tips and then put the ball in the basket.
Alternate Hand Tipping
Two-Hand Rebounding. Stand in front of the right side of the backboard in a balanced stance. Start in a balanced stance eight feet in front of the backboard and to the side of the rim. Make a two-hand chest pass aiming high on the backboard. Rebound the ball with two hands and land in balance. Protect the ball above your forehead with elbows out and do not lower the ball.Rebound the ball five times and then score with a power move.
Two Hand Rebounding
Superman Rebounding. Start in a balanced stance outside the lane and above the middle hash mark. Make a strong two-handed chest pass aiming for a spot high on the opposite corner of the backboard. The ball should be passed so that it rebounds to the opposite side of the lane above the middle hash mark, and high enough to be rebounded over your head. Run across the lane, rebound the ball with two hands, and land in balance outside the lane and above the middle hash mark. Now pass the ball to the opposite corner of the backboard, run across the lane, and rebound the ball outside the lane and above the middle hash mark. A strong and accurate chest pass is needed. Your hands should be slightly behind the ball in handshake position with your elbows in. Step in the direction of the target, getting power by extending your legs, back, and arms, and flexing your wrists and fingers. Concentrate on forcing your wrists and fingers through the ball, and follow through by pointing your fingers at the target. Emphasize forcing your weak hand through the ball as your strong hand has a tendency to dominate. Rebound with two hands, pulling the ball to a protective position above your forehead with elbows out. Work to not lower the ball where it can be stolen. Land in balance on the soles of your feet with feet spread shoulder width, and knees flexed..Rebound the ball 10 times as quickly as you can. Rebounding outside the lane and above the middle hash may be too difficult at first. Lead up to this goal by attempting to rebound and land touching or straddling the lane line above the box.
Superman Rebounding
Rebound Pull and Power Move. Start in front of the left side of the backboard in a balanced stance, with your shoulders parallel to the board, and the ball held with two hands at a position above your forehead. Take a short step and jump as high as you can with the ball completely over your head, and your elbows and body at full extension. Using the backboard as resistance, pull the ball down, to a protective position above your forehead. Work to not lower the ball where it can be stolen. Land in balance using a jump stop (both feet land at the same time so that each foot may be used as a pivot foot). Your feet should be shoulder width apart, and your knees flexed. Keeping your shoulders parallel with the backboard, and your elbows out, step back away from the backboard, and toward an imaginary defender with your inside (right) foot. Make a strong ball fake. Now step in with the same foot, and make a second ball fake. Move the ball to the side of your forehead away from the basket, and away from an imaginary defender. Make a strong power move jumping off both feet. Shoot the ball with two hands. Keep your shoulders parallel to the board, and do not open up on the shot. Aim the ball high above the box. Land in balance, ready to rebound a possible miss with two hands, and go up again with as many power moves as it takes to score. After you score from the left side, use the same procedure to jump and pull down the ball using the right side of the backboard as a resistance. Land in balance with a jump stop, and use your inside (left) foot to step back and in before making a strong power move from the right side of the basket. Your goal is to make at least 10 rebound pulls and scoring power moves, five from each side.
Rebound Pull and Power Move