Control the boards: rebounding drills that provide "net" results.

Although it's obvious that big, strong, and tall players would form a good rebounding team, we've also seen our share of small, aggressive, and hard-nosed teams that have dominated the boards, allowing no second shots by their opponents.

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Defensive rebounding is both attitude and technique. A team of individuals who are dedicated to their rebounding assignment, and have the commitment and ability to make sure their player is not the one getting the ball, can frustrate a bigger, even taller team to no end.

Teaching the basic footwork of rebounding, and the inevitability of contact, gives coaches a lot to work with in building their defensive framework. Whether your team is big or small has nothing to do with the size of their hearts and their commitment to making sure their player does not get to a rebounded ball first.

Use the drills and techniques in this chapter to refine your defensive rebounding and keep your focused on controlling the boards. Perhaps you will pick up an idea that can help your players--big or small--earn the rebounds they deserve.

GAME TIME

Purpose:

To simulate a game situation of half-court rebounding, while encouraging offense to crash the boards. It is great for conditioning.

Organization:

A coach with the ball, three lines underneath the goal, three offensive players on the court, and three defensive players. A rebound ring creates realistic misses. You can use cones to mark where the players are to sprint.

Procedure:

1. Offense assumes their position on the court relative to where the coach is with the ball.

2. Defense matches up with offense and assumes the defensive position that the coach desires.

3. When the coach is satisfied with defense's positioning, the he takes the shot.

4. Defense calls, "shot," then they find, feel, and fly. Offense crashes the boards.

5. If defense controls, they outlet and go three on zero to other end. Then they sprint around the court to the back of the lines.

6. If offense controls, they power it back in. Defense must sprint to the other end, then around the court to the back of the lines.

Coaching Points:

* Demand that defense be in your desired positions before offense takes the shot.

* Find your player. Feel the contact. Fly to the ball.

* Teach players to read and react to the shot. Long shots equal long rebounds. Misses 60 percent of the time go to the weak side. Play the percentages.

Variations:

* The coach moves to various spots to change the rebound angles.

* Make it competitive by keeping score.

SKY AND FLY

Purpose:

To teach good rebounding habits and sound technique; to reinforce proper timing and execution of a rebound.

Organization:

One line on each side of the board, two balls in each line. You can vary this depending on the number of players and baskets.

Procedure:

1. The first rebounder on each side tosses the ball off the glass and times the jump to catch the ball with both hands at the top of the jump.

2. The first rebounder on each side pivots and passes to the player at the outlet on her side of the floor.

3. The rebounder follows her pass to the outlet. The outlet player goes to the back of the opposite rebound line.

4. The next person in line becomes a rebounder for a continuous drill.

5. Repeat until everyone has grabbed 10 boards.

Coaching Points:

* Demand proper technique every time, otherwise it is wasted time.

* "Z" the ball after grabbing the rebound with both hands to chinned position. This keeps the ball moving and discourages others from reaching in.

Variations:

* Start with the rebounder facing away from the backboard, and have the next player in line toss the ball off the glass, to force her to turn and find the ball.

* Allow the outlet passer to take the dribble to the other end for a shot. This adds conditioning and shooting to maximize the drill.

WEAK SIDE CRASH

Purpose:

To teach players to crash weak-side boards from game-situation positions. To teach players to read and react to shots so they can create more rebounding opportunities.

Organization:

Use a rebound ring to create realistic misses. Two lines form on the sideline where the coach is attempting a shot with two defensive players on the lines.

Procedure:

1. The coach sets up 15 to 18 feet away on the wing area with the ball.

2. Two offensive players set up four to five steps outside the lane, opposite the coach.

3. Two defensive players assume good help-side defensive positions.

4. When the coach is satisfied with the position, offense takes the shot.

5. Defense must find their players and keep them from getting pushed out of position.

6. If defense gets the rebound, they rotate to offense. Offense goes to the back of the line. If offense gets the rebound, they score. Defense must sprint to the other end, then to the back of the line.

Coaching Points:

* Teach players to work from the off-ball defensive positions they would be in during a game.

* Teach defensive players to find their blockout responsibility, initiate the contact, and then go to the ball.

Variations:

* The coach can change the shot distances and angles to vary the rebounds.

* Substitute springs with push-ups, jumps, or bleacher sprints.

* Make it competitive by keeping score.

Reprinted from the superlative coaching text, "WBCA's Defensive Basketball Drills," written by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and published by Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL. It contains 92 drills and strategies chosen by top U.S. collegiate coaches and may be ordered by calling 800-747-4457 or online at www.humankinetics.com

BY GARY BLAIR 

Head Women's Basketball Coach Texas A & M U.

Excerpted from "WBCA's Defensive Basketball Drills," with permission from Human Kinetics