Rebounding is a crucial part of your team’s success. When you look at the box score, many times the team with the most rebounds wins. The most important element to rebounding, defensive especially, is boxing out. In short, boxing out is getting yourself between the offensive player and the basket so they cannot get the rebound. The following is a guide to help you box out more efficiently to help your team win.
1. See or hear the ball released
When a shot goes up, the defender on the ball should yell, “shot!” This allows the other 4 defenders to find a man or woman. In most cases you will see the shot go up, you need to act quickly and start to box out.
2. Find a person to box out
Once the shot is released you need to immediately find an offensive player to box out. It doesn’t matter if it’s suppose to be your player you are defending, just find a body. You can use your arms (without pushing) to feel where the offensive player is, don’t let them out of your reach.
3. Bend your knees and pivot
In order to become more stable and be stronger you need to bend your knees to create leverage. Once you are in the triple threat position, the next step is to pivot so your back is against the defender.
4. Get wide
Once you have put your body in front of the offensive player you need to be big; extend your arms and legs. It becomes much more difficult for a offensive player to go around you when you have a wide base.
5. Move side-to-side
In order to keep your opponent from getting the ball, you need to block their body from making any forward progress. To do this, you need to shuffle your body side-to-side whenever your opponent does.
6. See the ball hit the rim and explode!
The last step of boxing out is getting the rebound. A successful box out means you are able to explode to the ball on a missed shot without the other player getting it first. The only way an offensive player can get the rebound at this point is over the back. Remember to explode to the ball and grab it tight with two hands.
