3v3 Creighton Rebounding Drill for Basketball: Build Toughness & Defensive Grit
Setup:
Players: 3 offensive vs 3 defensive
Coach: At top with ball
Spacing: Offensive players on perimeter (wings and top). Defenders inside the paint.
Ball: Coach initiates by passing to one of the offensive players.
Execution:
Coach passes to any perimeter player.
The moment the pass is received, that player takes a shot.
Defenders must immediately close out and find a man to box out.
Once the shot is taken, the rebound is live and competitive.
Defense must secure the board to win the rep.
Full Breakdown for Coaches
Purpose and Philosophy
The Creighton Rebounding Drill, is a high-tempo, competitive rebounding drill used to enforce boxing out and toughness. It’s one of the best ways to simulate live-game rebounding effort, while also reinforcing defensive communication and contact.
In most games, second-chance points decide outcomes. This drill trains your team to win those 50/50 moments.
Core Objectives:
Build defensive rebounding habits
Instill a compete mentality
Improve closeout angles and footwork
Create in-practice chaos to replicate game pressure
Key Coaching Points
"Hit First, Then Find": Teach defenders to initiate contact before pursuing the ball.
"Sumo Out": Teach players to sit low, wide base, and move opponents back with hips.
Rebound in Traffic: No reaching or tipping, secure it with two hands.
Communication: Players must talk through switches, rebounds, and positioning.
Visual Cues for Players:
Call out "SHOT" when the ball is in the air.
Identify box out target as soon as the pass is made.
Track the ball mid-air while maintaining box-out position.
Variations to Increase Intensity
1. "Circle Chaos" Variation
Defenders must circle inside the paint before the shot goes up.
On the coach’s pass, they must react fast and find a man to close out and rebound.
2. "Mismatch" Drill
Assign smaller defenders to box out bigger offensive players.
Builds physical and mental toughness.
3. "Scoring Reps"
Give points for every defensive rebound.
Sub in new players every 3 reps to keep energy high.
Transition Element
Once the defense secures the board, allow an outlet and transition opportunity:
Outlet pass to a coach or point guard.
Sprint into transition offense.
This forces players to not only rebound but also immediately flip into fast-break execution.
Practical Tips for Coaches
Film the drill to identify effort lapses.
Run this daily for 5-8 minutes to reinforce effort.
Use a scoreboard or competitive tally to hold players accountable.
Why This Drill Works
The Creighton Rebounding Drill mirrors the demands of real gameplay: urgency, contact, communication, and decision-making in split seconds. When players are consistently challenged to rebound competitively under pressure, they internalize that toughness. That’s what separates average teams from championship-level programs.
It teaches:
How to win chaotic, physical moments
How to stay disciplined with technique under stress
That rebounding is not a skill, it’s a mindset
Final Takeaway
Boxing out isn’t optional. It's foundational. This drill turns an often-overlooked aspect of defense into a weapon. Run it consistently, make it competitive, and your team will start dominating the boards, and the scoreboard.
Creighton Rebounding isn't just a drill; it's a culture-setter.
