TRAITS OF A GOOD REBOUNDER

Maybe one of the most unglamorous parts of basketball is rebounding yet there is a direct correlation between rebounding and winning. Rebounding is also a great way for a player to create a niche for herself on a team. Maybe you can’t dribble the ball exceptionally well or possibly you’re not a good shooter – but if you live on the boards, the coach will find playing time for you.

First and foremost, let’s understand what a rebound represents – a possession! That’s critically important. It doesn’t matter if it’s a defensive rebound or an offensive rebound, you have just given your team a possession that they may not have otherwise received.

Excellent rebounding teams often win because they usually have a greater number of possessions than their opponent. It means they have more opportunities to scores while their opponents have less.

Excellent rebounding teams usually win because they shoot a higher percentage. They shoot better because they rebound which leads to fast break opportunities. They shoot better because they get second chance opportunities on the offensive glass which often leads to a follow up shot from close in.

Excellent rebounding teams usually win because they hold their opponents to a lower field goal percentage. They do this by keeping them getting out and running consistently. They also take away the second chance points on the opponent’s offensive end.

Excellent rebounding teams usually win because they get to the free throw line more. They get to the free throw line more because of extra possessions they create for themselves as well as the ones they deny their opponent. How many times do you see a fouling situation occur on a offensive rebound put back?

Excellent rebound teams usually win because they have more heart. It is heart that is a primary ingredient in good rebounding and if you have a big heart on the glass, then it is probably going to spill over to the defensive end of the court as well as the offensive end.

A big part of rebounding is obviously technique and certainly we are going to talk about methods of rebounding – both individually as well as a team. We will delve into offensive and defensive rebounding and the various methods that are used for maximum results. But first and foremost, we should look at the make-up of a great rebounder. The individual that excels in rebounding has a special blend of physical and mental characteristics that allows her help her team on the boards.

A good rebounder is a well conditioned athlete.
Rebounding is one of the most tiring phases of basketball if a player is truly committed to rebounding. The pace of the game already makes is a demanding game but the good rebounder is going hard to the glass on every shot – and over the course of the game, that’s a lot of shots. So the good rebounder is going to understand the importance of conditioning. She is going to work hard with the team during conditioning and probably do a little on her own as well. She must be tireless in her approach.

A good rebounder is physically strong.
Because the good rebounder knows she must sometime move through people as well as over them, she can appreciate the work she must do in the weight room. This doesn’t mean she has to be big and muscle bound but she knows she must have the strength necessary to hold off her opponent when she is blocking out. She’s going to work hard in the weight room, more than the average player and she’s going to do the extra push-ups. Strength is important on the boards and there no reason in today’s game that she can’t improve in that area.

A good rebounder is mentally and physically tough.
Going to the boards is a very demanding job. It gets extremely physical inside with a lot of bumping and pushing. Some players don’t mind going to the boards occasionally, but the good rebounder is tough and not only does she not mind the contact, but she relishes it. She loves not only to receive the contact but likes to dish a little out as well. Mentally she knows the importance of rebounding and she blocks out any aches and pains. Mentally she also makes sure the contact doesn’t go too far. She wants to bang with her opponent but not to the extent that she draws a foul.

Good rebounders are smart players.
You have to be smart to read the where the shot may fall off…especially one shot by your opponent. The smart player can anticipate when and where her own team will shoot. She makes mental notes on opponents and understands their tendencies in terms of how she best get around them and get to the backboard.

Good rebounders have a rebounding mentality.
I’ve never seen a good rebounder that didn’t think every shot was a miss. When the ball is shot, they know that ball is not going in and they follow it’s path and try to make a read as to where it will come off. Part of that special rebounding mentality is they have a great hunger to rebound. The good rebounder loves to rebound more than she loves to score.

Good rebounders are relentless.
Good rebounders have a strong desire to rebound – they are relentless. They go to the boards to try and grab the rebound. If they can’t grab the rebound, they are going to work as hard as they can to try and get their hand on the ball where the can tip to themselves or to a teammate. If they get bumped, they recover and keep going. If they get knocked down, they hustle up. They are not going to let anyone or anything stop from going to the glass.

Good rebounders love rebounding.

I've learned this from having the blessing of coaching one of the best rebounders I've been around - Anriel Howard.  This past season, and it's not quite over, she set the Texas A&M single season rebounding record.  Despite only being a junior, she has become the all-time career rebounding here in Aggieland.  She also owns the NCAA Tournament record for rebounds in a game -- 27!  And, please pay close attention -- she is only 5 foot, 11 inches tall.  But if you watch her play and see her grab a rebound in traffic, or chase one down you will see the biggest smile on her face.  She genuinely loves rebounding.

Coach Don Meyer always had a saying, "It's not what you teach, it's what you emphasize."  All coaches will readily agree to the importance of rebounding.  But how strongly are you emphasizing it on a daily basis?

One year at LSU, to commit to emphasizing rebounding, we decided to take the games leading rebounding to the post-game press conference after every game whether the press requested them or not.  The player could've shot 2 for 10 from the field and turned it over 4 times but if she let the team with 13 rebounds that game she was going to the press room.  It was are way of letting our team (and the media and fans) know that rebounding matters in a big way.

Do you break it down in drill from every day?

Are you pointing it out and holding players accountable in practice every day?

Do you have rebounding stats that players can see on a daily basis?

Do you watch specific video clips on rebounding?

As a coaching staff, what are you doing every day to commit to improving your rebounding?

REGARDLESS OF SKILL & TALENT, ALL PLAYERS CAN DO THESE

This past month has been primarily an evaluation period for those in the college game with two full weeks travelling the country looking for players that best fit our Aggie family.  As someone that cares about the game, observing the competition in the summer can by uplifting or disappointing depending upon the team and players you are watching.  It's a lot of pressure on these young women because they know that a summer performance can often preclude their future options. 

Some players can be found doing too much.  At times players can play with the thought of trying to impress a coach and end up over doing it as opposed to doing what their team needs to do to play better.  Ironically, helping your team play at a higher level is more impressive to college coaches than individual performance.

During the summer, I found myself jotting down a few things that EVERY player could do to be better that had nothing to do with talent.  Things that regardless of their skill level, they could enhance their contribution by focusing on these areas:

1. Shot Fake and Pass Fake

Truly a lost art.  When's the last time you said to yourself, "that player is excellent as shot and pass fakes."  Of course part of the responsibility belongs to us as a coaches -- are we teaching and emphasizing it?  Few things can help an offensive player more than the proper use of a pass fake and a shot fake.

2. Know and Execute the Plays

Sounds a little silly saying "know the plays" but it's amazing to see a player or two who doesn't know where they are supposed to be or what they are supposed to being doing.  Whether is an inbounds plays, a half-court set, a motion entry or anything else structured, take the time to know where you are supposed to be and what you are supposed to be doing.  Next is execution -- doing it when you are supposed to and as well as you can.  This does not take talent but commitment to knowing and understanding your team's playbook.

3. Play Hard

Again, seems like it shouldn't have to be said but it does.  And here is the key to playing hard -- you have to do it all the time...not just when your team's ahead or the play is called for you.  Playing hard means that you are making all your cuts in your offense hard.  It means that you are sprinting to screen.  It means that getting back on defense is a full speed proposition.

4. Have a Team First Attitude

Be the player constantly encouraging their teammates...picking them up both physically and emotionally when the time comes.  Don't be the player with the horrific body language when a teammate turns the ball over as if you were saying "I wouldn't have made that mistake."  If a played does make a mistake, correct it is a positive manner.

5. Understand Shot Selection

Forcing shots does not help your team nor does it impress a college coach.  Know what a good shot is for you -- and yes, your shot selection will vary from those of your teammates.  Don't hunt shots, let the shots find you.

6. Concentrate

As I heard Nick Saban once say, "Wherever your shoes are, be there."  Don't wonder mentally.  Stay focused to the job at hand.  Be a process oriented player.  Don't worry about the past play -- it's over.  Don't worry about a play in the future they may or may not happen.  All you can control is the current possession you are involved with -- give the possession complete concentration.

7. Be a Great Listener

This actually can do a long way to helping with concentration.  In timeouts are you locked in with your eyes and ears.  Does you coach have your complete attention.  There's a free throw situation and your coach or captain is barking out instructions.  Are you actually listening and processing or just hearing -- and there is a difference between listening and hearing.

8. Be in Great Shape

Without doing anything in regard to skill work...without saying anything about your talent level...you can make an impact on your team by being in great physical shape.  When the game is in the fourth quarter or late int he second half and everyone else is starting to drag, this is where you can make a difference.  Not only will you be a step faster because of your conditioning level, but you will be mentally sharper as well.  How many times have we seen a team put on a late run and in large part because of players that are in just better shape that run the floor and past their opponent.

9. Control Your Intangibles

Again, these have nothing to do with skill or talent but they are game changers.  The three areas that players can control (but often choose not to) are: attitude, energy, enthusiasm.  Now I'm not saying it is easy but if you want to make a difference in your team its well work working on.  By controlling your intangibles, I mean you don't let officiating, teammates, opponents, coaches, gym conditions or anything else effect you having a team-first attitude, with high energy and positive enthusiasm.

10. Be an Example

What do your teammates see when they see or think of you?  He or she is always early to the gym.  They stay late.  They are on time for meetings.  They listen to the coach.  They keep their composure.  Off the court they conducting themselves the right way.  They maintain a proper diet to put fuel in the tank.  They are positive talkers -- not criticizing a coach or gossiping about a teammate.

11.  Rebound
Some of the best rebounders are lacking in talent and athleticism -- they board well because of effort and tenacity.  Rebounding is one of the only areas in basketball where it's alright to selfish.  I've coached for over 35 years and have never heard of a coach taking a player out for rebounding too much!

I would imagine some of my coaching friends can add to this list but the key for players to understand is that every player can adopt these principles and it will make them a better player and their team a better team.  There's nothing on here that requires you to jump higher, run faster or have an amazing handle.  Be committed to areas that you can control and work towards being the best you can in those areas.

HALF COURT DEFENSE WITH WILL WADE

The following comes from the TABC Clinic on May 20, 2017

Want to be a blue collar program
     Toughness
     Discipline
     We determine the outcome

We’re going to foul but game will be played on our terms.

Detail & disciplined in the little things.

Don’t get bored with accountability.

Emphasis for us:
     Offensive Rebounds
     Turnovers Forced
     Steals

“Never bet against consistent behavior.”

Never lost 3 games in a row.

What we’re about — ACT the right way
      Aggression
     Committed
     Thankful

“Chance favors the aggressor.” — only sign in locker room

We teach team attitude and mindset everyday.

Meets individually with each player for 10 minutes weekly — no basketball.

Write a note to someone who has helped you but you haven’t talked to in 3-5 years.

What we emphasize…
     1. No fast break lay-up
     2. No paint touches
     3. No middle
           Influence baseline
     4. No rhythm 3’s
          No ballside 3’s
     5. No straight line drives
     6. No 2nd chance points

Don’t do defensive rebounding drills — demands two-handed, two-footed rebounds

Offensive Rebounding — Must do one of these four on 80% of the opportunities:
     1. Swim
     2. Rip
     3. Spin
     4. Pin

Need steals and turnovers to overcome defensive rebounding.

Takes all 5 defenders:
     1. Vision
          1/3 up the line
     2. Communication
          “Talk to the ball”
          “Talking makes us quicker”
     3. Active
          Always adjust your position.
          “If you’re standing, you’re in the wrong place.”
     4. Off Ball
          Box taped at top of the key — deny zone
     5. Terminology
          Staff created an app for the team — got the idea from the Phoenix Suns

Staff created an app for their team -- got idea from Phoenix Suns
     1. Team’s terminology
     2. 3 Best games that individual has played
     3. Highlight video of team
     4. Highlights of their favorite NBA player

Things That Require Daily Maintenance
     1. Conversion Defense
     2. Pressure
          Want offense to turn back to defender or hold ball above head
     3. Closeout
          Play 3’s and Drivers
     4. Post Defense
          Pressure teams can’t play behind
     5. Blockout
          Hit - Find - Get

Conversion Defense Priorities
     Basket - Ball - Ballside
     Sprinting - Straightlines
     Build out
     No Easies: Zero Lay-ups

Loves to start practice w/conversion defense drills to emphasis and get into their conditioning early.

Rat Race Drill: Continual 3/2
     Everything they do has a winner and loser

4/2 Continuous Drill: Our 4/4/4

Pressure Ball
     1. Make ball handler uncomfortable
          Above head or turn back
     2. It starts with closeouts
          Run them off the 3-point line
     3. High hands
          Trace—guard 2 dribbles
     4. Quick twitch
     5. No Middle
     6. Flatten the ball
          4/3 Contest (SMU Drill)
          Offense 3 passes, 1 Dribble
          3 Straight Stops

Closeouts
     1. Can’t be late — move on airtime
     2. Can’t be short — take away the 3 
          (Coach Wade: “3’s get you beat”)
     3. Principles—Low, chop feet

Post Defense
     1. Front
          Knock ‘em back
          High hands
     2. Early and big
     3. Wall up
          Square ‘em up
     4. Two areas
          Post box and perimeter
          Know where to fight

“Whether you say you can or can’t you’re right.”

We don’t trap post because of 3 point philosophy.

We don’t believe 2’s will beat you.

Exception: Will trap post with poor passing skills to create turnovers

“Hamer” = forearm

“Punch thru” = swim to fronting position

Low man wins in the post

4/1 post feed drill: Offensive post don’t always flash — “hold the real estate”

Blockout
     1. Emphasize every day
     2. Drill must finish with a clean rebound
     3. Make first contact — take away initial step

The Sandbag
     After 10 Turnovers
     Missed Blockout 
     Sprinting the Floor
     Court Balance

Has 10 balloons tacked to a board each day at practice...each turnover a manager pops a balloon...when all the balloons are gone they run.

Assigns an assistant coach to something specific…
     Head Coach of Turnovers
     Head Coach of Offensive Boards
     This is what they coach at practice in all drills

Game Standards
(Goal is to meet 3 of the 5 each game)
     1. 5 or more Turkeys (3 straight stops) 
          were 21-4 when they met this one standard
     2. 12 or less turnovers
     3. 40% of offensive rebounding opportunities
     4. 5 or less miscommunications
     5. Changes per team they play — often about 3 point defense

Ball screen defense — no switch, fight thru

COACH POPOVICH & TIM DUNCAN RELATIONSHIP SUMS UP SPURS CULTURE

I saw these series of quotes from Coach Gregg Popovich regarding Tim Duncan and thought it summed up the San Antonio culture and why they were able to win at such a high level for such an extended period of time.

“There are a lot of guys and teams in this league that I couldn’t walk in the gym and try to coach them, because I’m going to be too direct, and that’s what we believe.  If you did poorly, we’re going to tell you.  If you did well, we’re going to tell you.  If Timmy (Duncan) isn’t rebounding, I’m going to get on him just like the 11th or 12th guy on the team.

There are a lot of stars out there who can’t handle that.  They don’t want to be criticized at all.  But Tim’s comfortable enough in his own skin to know that I’m gonna tell him right between the eye’s what’s going on.

He also knows that, win or lose, at the end of the day, I’m going to love him, we’re going to get a bite to eat, think about our families.”

PETE NEWELL ON REBOUNDING AND A STORY OF WHY THE GREAT ARE GREAT

The following comes from the USA Coaches Clinic: Instant Review Basketball Notebook, Volume 2, written in 1999.  But it's a great passage that shares a powerful message that far too many young players don't get.  That message is that the best are the best because they are intentional and deliberate about their improvement.  If they make the game look easy, it's because they have spent countless hours in quiet gyms improving their game.  It also means that even though they have reached levels of greatness that they are still looking to improve.

The following was written by coaching legend Pete Newell:

About six years ago during my NBA camp, I got a call from Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar).  He asked me to work with him on his rebounding.  I certainly wasn't going to bring him into camp because of his stature.  I had a lot of young NBA players there.  He said that he would bring over a couple of tapes.  He came over and we talked.  He said his rebounding stats had fallen off and he didn't know why.

I looked back at them over the weekend and he came back Monday.  Actually, the problem was very simple.  You get into bad habits in basketball even as as he is.  On defense, when the shot was taken, he was releasing right away and getting caught under the basket and was not in jumping position.  He has always been worried about his eyes, and when he got caught in there he wasn't aggressive.  But when he screened, his angle would change, his rebounding arc become much better and he become much greater and he became a much better rebounder.  Offensively, when the shot was taken, he was looking at it.  Then when the shot missed, he would react.

One of the purisms of offensive rebounding is when a teammate shoots, you should anticipate the miss.  All great rebounders move when the shot goes up.  They are moving all the time.