Rebounding is essential to winning a basketball game.  On offense, the more shot opportunities your team gets, the better chances they have to score.  On defense, limiting an opposing team’s second chance to score greatly improves your odds to winning the basketball game. Boxing out is one of the most important basketball fundamentals to learn. The team that can box their opponent out effectively will be in a better position to get rebounds.  It is critical that you work with your team on the proper techniques for boxing out.  Becoming a good rebounding team takes hard work and effort.  Here is a simple basketball rebounding drill that can be practiced by all skill levels and ages.

For this basketball drill pair up your players by ability.  One group is on “defense” and lines up outside the perimeter of the free throw circle or around the perimeter of center court.  The other group is on “offense” and lines up approximate 2 feet away from the defenders.  The basketball is placed in the center.  The players that are on defense have their backs to the ball and offensive players are facing the ball.  On the coach’s command the defensive players attempt to box out the players on offense.  The offensive players attempt to enter the circle and get the basketball.  The goal should be for the defenders to be able to keep their opponents away from the ball for 3 seconds.  Keep score, awarding a point to each team that succeeds.

Protect the Ball Drill

For this ball handling drill, have your team form a circle, or have your basketball players line up around the half court circle or foul line circle. Select one player to enter the center of the circle. The player in the center dribbles a basketball within the circle as the players on the outside of the circle attempt to steal the ball. For added complexity add a second ball handler in the middle of the circle or make the circle smaller. Emphasize dribbling with your head up and protect the ball.

Ball Handling Relay

For this drill, divide your team into 2 groups. Down the center of an area, place 8-10 cones a few feet apart. The cones should be closer together for more advanced players. One player starts with the ball and on the coach’s command dribbles as fast as they can (BUT IN CONTROL) weaving around the cones. Once the player reaches the end, they hand the ball to the first player in the next line and go to the end of that line. For less advanced players have one group dribble with their Right Hand, while the other group uses their Left Hand. For more advanced players, they should switch their dribbling hand and EACH cone.  This is an easy and effective basketball drill that will help improve a player’s ball handling skills.

There are over 55 Additional Drills as well as PreDesigned Practice Plans in the Coach Youth Basketball Book and Coach Youth Basketball Drills & Practice Plans Book.

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1. Practice what you play – Players should spend their time practicing shots they will take in a game. Many young players like to practice trick shots or long range shots, especially at the beginning and end of practice. Limit these types of shots. While trying these shots may be fun, it won’t improve their game.
2. Players should start with a good foundation. The player’s  feet should be shoulder length apart, parallel to each other and be facing the direction of the basket.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice - Depending on their level, players should take 50-150 shots per practice. These shots should be from where ever they may shoot in a game. Jump shots, lay-ups, put-backs, foul shots, shots off the pass, shots off the rebound all should be practiced on a regular basis.
4. Consistency is the key to good shooting. A player should practice shooting the ball the same way every time. By practicing consistent technique, good shooting fundamentals will be programmed into the player.
5. Correct Bad Technique – Even if it Causes Worse Results in the Short Term. Many younger players have major fundamental flaws in their shooting technique, yet are still able to make baskets. These flaws will only worsen in time and have a major impact on a player’s ability in the future. As a coach you must promote good fundamentals. Even if a player protests, insist that the shoot the correct way.