How to Become a Better Rebounder Like Kevin Love
Rebounding is an essential skill in the sport of basketball. Sadly, it is also an underrated technique and only a few teams really recognize its value on the court. Out of all uncertainties in basketball, the one persistent is there will always be missed shots.
Even the best NBA players lose their accuracy from time-to-time, and many NBA legends have lower shooting percentage towards the end of their career.
Irrespective of the team’s ability to shoot, what counts is the next thing that happens when a shot is missed.
Understanding the importance of rebounding isn’t exactly physics – the more rebounds a team gets, the more offensive opportunities they have. This ultimately leads to more points after the fourth quarter finish.
A common misconception about rebounding is that height or athleticism are key factors to rebounding missed shots. On the contrary, height or athleticism play only partial roles in being able to rebounding the ball for your team.
It is often honing your rebounding technique and simply wanting it more than anyone else on the court. And of course, like any other skill and technique, it improves through practice.
Performing drills regularly is CRUCIAL to learn and master the art of rebounding. In the process of doing so, you also further strengthen your stamina and endurance. Here are three simple steps to become a better rebounder like Kevin Love or even Dennis Rodman.
You need some rebounding drills, these 3 rebounding drills will help make your youth basketball player and team better rebounders collectively.
#1 Conditioning
The first step in becoming a better rebounder in basketball is being conditioned. Basketball is a physical sport. If you are not properly conditioned, you won’t be able to handle intense physical contact, much less make rebounds for your team.
Keep in mind that the basket is where most of the rebounding happens. Here, players will fight it out to rebound missed shots.
The combination of running around for minutes and the body blows you receive will wear you down, or worst it may cause injuries.
Good conditioning trains your body to last longer and maintain an admirable level of performance.
#2 Knowledge
The second step in becoming a better rebounder in basketball is being knowledgable. Knowing a few simple techniques can DRAMATICALLY improve your rebounding skills.
First, know your teammates. If you know other players’ proclivities, you can anticipate where their missed shots will be placed. Knowing this information gives you better reaction time than your opponents.
Next, know where the ball mostly falls after it misses the basket. A ball that hits the rim will land on a different spot than a ball that hits the board. Study these positions carefully.
#3 technique
The third step in becoming a better rebounder in basketball is having good technique. This is VERY important!
Even with a tree log for a leg or the agility of a fox, a player without technique won’t be able to rebound effectively, at least not always.
One important technique is swimming. A swim move is simple, fast, and effective. The goal is to get the inside of your hip and the inside of your shoulder past the opponent.
As your opponent steps forward to derail you when the shot goes up, do not fight the force. Instead, use it in your favor. If timed correctly, you’ll find yourself between your opponent and the rim and in a perfect spot to grab the rebound.
