How to Rebound a Basketball

A player who can rebound a basketball well will find himself on the basketball court for a lot of minutes. Even NBA players who score very few points in a game have made a living by rebounding the basketball. Learning how to rebound a basketball will give you and your team an advantage over the other team. Certain techniques will work for both offensive and defensive rebounds.

Things You'll Need

  • Aggressive attitude
  • Place to play and practice
  • Basketball team
  • Basketball
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Instructions

    • 1

      Watch the basketball continuously so you know when someone is taking a shot and what part of the rim the ball may bounce off.

    • 2

      Get into the right position. Most of the time, the player closest to the basket gets the rebound. When anyone attempts a shot at the basket, make your way between the opposing team and the basket as quickly as possible.

    • 3

      Hold your ground or box out by using your body to keep others from gaining access to the place you are in. Basically, you want to make sure no one else can get between you and the basket.

    • 4

      Face the basket with your entire body and stand wide (legs apart and elbows out) to protect your space as you watch the ball move toward the basket. You should never look over your shoulder to watch the ball if you want to be in the best position for the rebound.

    • 5

      Anticipate where the ball will land. You need to know if the ball will bounce off the backboard, miss the basket, graze the basket or hit the rim of the basket hard.

    • 6

      Time your jump so you can catch the basketball at the height of your jump as the ball comes down from the goal. By anticipating where the ball will hit the basketball goal, you can time your jump better.

    • 7

      Grab the basketball with two hands and don't let go even if others are bouncing into you or slapping at the ball.

    • 8

      Move your arms from side to side around your body quickly with your elbows out while you hold the ball to force other players to move away from you.

    • 9

      Pass the ball to an open teammate to set up another shot or to take the ball down the court. If players leave you alone, you may take the ball down the court after a defensive rebound.

    • 10

      Take an open shot if you get an offensive rebound and are certain you can make the basket from close range.