“Rebounding 101: Life Lessons Learned On and Off the Basketball Court”
As a basketball player, a youth coach, and a fan, my favorite aspect to the game has always been one in the same: rebounding. In the basketball world, rebounding is what a player makes of it. Yes, it helps to be tall, flexible, strong, and athletic, but by no means are those qualities prerequisites for the job. Rebounding is all about effort, and you don’t have to be a prolific offensive player or defensive stalwart to be good at it. The battle for the ball begins at the release of a shot, where like sprinters at the starting line who react to the firing of a starting pistol, would-be rebounders will spring into action by jockeying for position on all sides of the basket. The moment the ball deflects, falls short, or sails long of the rim, it becomes available for whoever cares to try to claim it. Pick your spot. Win your matchup. Get the ball. Fundamental, unadorned, one-on-one competition. Sometimes a rebounder will find themselves in a position to have a chance for the basketball. Other times they won’t. Sometimes the ball will fall directly into someone’s hands for the easy taking. Other times the best a rebounder can do is to try to take away another player’s chance of getting it. Experienced rebounders will attest that you can’t always predict the way the ball will bounce. Instincts, laws of averages, and even luck are all parts of the same equation. The key to success with all forms of rebounding, whether it’s on the basketball court or off of it, isn’t to get caught up in the relative fairness or unfairness of good and bad bounces. An individual should instead focus their energy on the elements that are within their control, and always do their best to keep the effort they put forth as consistent as possible.
Like many things in life, there are no fixed rules when it comes to rebounding. Preparation is important, but you also have to be adaptable enough to figure out part of the challenge as you go.
Adapting to adversity is a concept with endless applications outside the world of sports. My grandpa, Ed Robinson, was a World War II U.S. Army veteran who served his country in the European Theater. When I was a kid, I can remember him telling me what he thought was the greatest advantage that the American forces had over their German counterparts during the war. He said that if a German officer went down in battle, the remaining German soldiers would have a difficult time completing their mission. According to Grandpa Ed, part of the strength of the American troops was their ability to adapt organizationally during times of battle, regardless of the circumstances. If the lieutenant fell, then the highest ranking sergeant would immediately take up his command. If the sergeant could no longer fulfill their duty, then in stepped the corporal. And so on, and so on. The point was to keep moving. Keep progressing. Keep fighting. World War II was obviously a much different playing field than a basketball court, but the principles apply just the same. As a player and a coach, one of the most important rebounding strategies I’ve learned is this: when your opponent has you boxed out, spin. If Plan A doesn’t work, roll to Plan B. If Plan B is a bust, figure out another option. If you aren’t in position, continue working to get there. In other words, keep moving, keep progressing, and keep fighting.
The whole purpose of boxing out for a rebound is to slow down an opponent’s progress. This is important to understand from the perspective of both an offensive and defensive player since there are times in our lives when we have to play both roles.
Defensive rebounds are expected. They’re about holding serve and maintaining an existing advantage. Offensive rebounds are harder to come by. When a player gets one, it’s like a bonus since they provide second-chance opportunities to take more shots. There can be times in our lives when it feels like we’re up against the world’s most proficient defensive rebounder; an immovable force which, despite our efforts, we simply cannot outmaneuver. For many people, including myself, the work-life balance is a particularly formidable opponent. I enjoy the work I do as an optometrist, knowing the positive impact that patient care has on so many aspects of my life. To be honest though, there are days when my work cup feels full and there are other things I’d rather be doing. If life throws road blocks in my path, I know I can still get the occasional offensive rebound through careful planning, time management, and persistence. Timelines are hard to predict, but I’ve learned that if I can keep at something for long enough then I should eventually catch a break. Sometimes the ball will bounce my way even when the angle seems impossible. Having a consistent approach is the key.
Getting a rebound in basketball is rarely the end-all goal. Rebounding is the in-between. The segue. The process that generally leads to something else.
Rebounding is more than just pushing and shoving from within a crowded mass of people. There’s strategy involved even in the most chaotic of situations. Pick your spot and hurry to it. Get your hands up. Consider the direction the shot is coming from. How fast is the ball moving? Will it strike the rim hard or soft? Is the person who released it a reliable shooter? Are they rested or tired? Were they open, or did they force their shot? Once a rebounder secures the ball they’re often in a vulnerable position, meaning their work isn’t done. They need to get rid of the ball by passing it away, dribbling into open space, or putting up another shot. A successful transition comes down to knowing the situation, and illustrates yet another example of the necessity to keep moving.
The same principles that apply to hustling in sports go hand in hand with all forms of rebounding, both on and off the court.
The feeling of out-rebounding someone in one-on-one basketball competition is a fulfilling accomplishment. Even for a play with only a 10% probability rate of success, a dedicated rebounder will still prevail on average around 10 times out of 100. Catch that kind of break and a player can change the outcome of not only a game, but an entire season. The truth about rebounding is that it isn’t for everyone. To be a dedicated rebounder you cannot shy away from physical contact. You have to realize that you’re going to get your hands dirty. Rebounding comes in many forms. Having the desire to achieve is essential, and all it costs is effort. To embrace the art of doing it is to embrace the concept of hard work. So if you’re up for the challenge then set your mind to the task. Pick your spot, get your hands up, and prepare to seize what you’re after.
Keep moving, keep progressing, and keep fighting.
Until next time, everyone!
- Todd
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