Rebounding is one of the most important — and underrated — skills on the basketball court, and it’s all about hustle and heart. 

Here’s how it looks.

First and foremost, they gotta box out. That means finding an opponent, getting in position and using their feet, butt and arms to keep an opponent away from the basket. Note: They cannot grab or hold the player. They want to be a wall that no one can get past. 

Secondly, timing is everything. Tell them to time their jump just right so they can grab the rebound at its highest point. Not too early. Not too late. This is a skill that takes a lot of time to master.

Next up, they need to use their hands to grab the ball. Remind them to snatch that rebound with both hands and pull it in tight to the chest. They should protect that ball like it’s the Holy Grail.

In the end, though, rebounding is a team effort. Everyone on the floor needs to communicate and work together to secure the rebound. Tell them to talk to each other and let everyone know where they are on the court.

And last but not least, they should always be ready for the unexpected. A missed shot can bounce in any direction. Maintaining proper position helps them adjust on the fly and grab the rebound no matter where it goes.