FUNdamentals section 4

REBOUNDING

Keys to Rebounding and "Reading the Shot"
Reading a shot is a matter of judgment. It is anticipating where the basketball is going to land once a shot is missed. Is the ball going to land short or go long? Where was the shot taken from and where will it land? Observing a shot can help you position yourself in the correct area for the rebound.

  • Perimeter shots taken from the elbows out to the 3-point line rebound long. Long shots = long rebounds.
  • Generally, shots taken from 15-25 feet will come off the rim with more power and will land outside of the key and further away from the basket.
  • Corner and wing shots tend to rebound on the opposite side of where the shot was taken from.
  • Bank shots and lay-ups will rebound inside the key, much closer to the basket.

    Tip Drill

  • Start with a ball in your hands in line with the bottom of the backboard.
  • Hold the ball up above your head and jump up trying to touch the ball to the bottom of the backboard.
    * Keep your arms extended up and keep the ball high. Do not bring the ball down to your chest, this will allow the defense to steal it away from you.
  • When you come down make sure that you keep the ball high and go right up with it again trying to touch the bottom of the backboard.
  • Jump 10 times and switch sides of the basket. Jump 10 times on the other side of the basket. Rest for 30 seconds and repeat for a total of 3 repetitions.

    Once you have mastered the first part of the drill, progress to the putting the ball back into the hoop.

  • Do the above drill, but when you get the rebound power up and shoot a lay-up into the basket as if you are scoring after grabbing an offensive rebound.
  • Remember to protect the ball by keeping it high and never bring the ball down low.

    ** A BIG NO-NO! **
    When you grab an offensive rebound you should NEVER bounce the ball before going back up for a shot. This creates trouble. The ball can be tipped away or stolen, leading to a turnover. So practice your tip drill keeping the ball high, keeping your elbows out and go right up with it.

    SHOOTING

    This week we bring you two great team-oriented shooting drills for you to incorporate into practice.

    Ladder Shooting
    The Liberty uses this drill in practice to warm-up. It is great to get the players moving and for them to get up a large amount of shots in the beginning of practice.

  • Start with two lines on the baseline behind the basket with a ball in each line.
    * The first player in Line 1 starts with the ball (Player 2).
    * The second player in Line 2 starts with the ball (Player 3).
  • The first player in Line 2 goes first (Player 1).
    * Player 1 cuts to the opposite block, receives a pass from Player 2 and shoots a lay-up. Player 1 gets their own rebound and passes the ball to the next passer in line behind Player 2 and goes to the end of Player 2’s line.
    * Once Player 2 passes they cut behind Player 1 to the opposite block, receives a pass from Player 3 and shoots a lay-up. Player 2 gets their own rebound and passes the ball to the next passer in line behind Player 3 and goes to the end of Player 3’s line.
  • Keep this repetition with players passing and cutting to the shooting spot.
  • Have the team continue shooting until you have reached your goal. Set your goals to either 10 made baskets or 10 consecutively made baskets. Once you have made the goal move to the next spot.
    * The spots are: the low post block, the hash line in between the low block and elbow, the elbow and the 3 point line.
  • Coaches do this drill for 5 minutes at the beginning of practice.