Sam, our best rebounder was unavailable. She'll be at Illinois as a player this fall. Before the game, I asked every player to get one more rebound and we'd win. The girls responded. Ask for more.
Rebounding differential stands as one of Dean Oliver's "Four Factors." I believe that most rebounders are born not made, but teaching might help. As to the nature versus nature theory, I say find those who can.
Let success succeed. If a player has big rebounding stats, be wary of unwinding success. There's a story of a player averaging thirteen rebounds whose coach told him to block out. His production plummeted. The coach told him to return to what worked.
Some teach blocking out, others 'hit and get', and still others 'get the ball'. Some players get a few from "spinning off" opponents... I cannot find a reference.
Magic formulas. There's no Holy Grail but these help.
- Defensive boards - Positioning and toughness
- Offensive boards - Anticipation and quickness
"Go to where the puck is going." Wayne Gretzky's father taught him to anticipate the play. Everyone knows that over two-thirds of rebounds go to the weak side. But everyone doesn't know that a significant number of corner shots bounce straight out (see below).
Impact of three point shots. Studies of rebounds off three point misses inform rebounders. More offensive boards come off corner threes and more are snagged in the middle rebounding area (see diagrams).
Know your edge. Zone defenses don't have defined rebounding individual assignments and some offensive rebounders capitalize.
Consider the possibilities. Two additional ways to get or keep possession are tap rebounds to a teammate or tap outs that teammates compete for.
Lagniappe from USA Basketball on rebounding.
Lagniappe 2. Deception can be a big thing.
Boston Celtics BLOB - Diamond Thru Turnout Slip pic.twitter.com/pSYQO8ft1G
— πΈππ ππππππ (@IdoBasketball) August 12, 2022
