Defensive Rebounding Fundamentals: How to Box Out and Control the Glass Like a Pro
Goal
Teach players how to gain inside position, meet offensive players early, and secure defensive rebounds using proper fundamentals and body positioning.
Setup
One offensive and one defensive player
Coach or shooter on the perimeter
Ball for live shot attempts
Focus area: Paint or around the basket
Step-by-Step Execution
Identify Your Man Early
Before the shot goes up, locate your assigned offensive player.
Keep a hand or forearm on them as a "tag" to feel movement and prepare to make contact.
Meet First
As the shot goes up, don’t wait.
Close the space by stepping into the offensive player and stopping their forward motion.
Use a shoulder turn and a strong base to absorb contact.
Box Out with Lower Body
Use your hips and legs—not your arms—to seal space.
Stay low and wide to maintain balance.
Track the Ball
Keep your eyes on the flight of the ball while maintaining contact with the offensive player.
Anticipate where the ball is likely to bounce.
Secure with Two Hands and Chin
Grab the rebound with two hands.
Tuck the ball to your chest and protect it with your chin.
Land with balance and prepare for the outlet pass.
Coaching Tips
Cues: “Hit first.” “Tag, turn, seal.” “Chin the ball.”
Common Mistakes: Reaching with one hand, standing too upright, reacting late.
Variations:
2-on-2 rebounding to teach sealing multiple players
Live offensive rebound simulations
Youth Adjustments:
Use lighter contact and shorter rebounding windows
Focus on awareness and body control over strength
High School Tips:
Emphasize early contact and rebounding position in transition
Drill rebounds under pressure and late-game situations
Full Breakdown: Teaching Defensive Rebounding from the Ground Up
Defensive rebounding is one of the least flashy yet most essential skills for young players to learn. In this pro-tip session, NBA veteran Taj Gibson delivers a clear, powerful lesson in how smaller, slimmer players can dominate the glass by understanding the fundamentals. This breakdown will help you turn those lessons into practice habits.
Why Defensive Rebounding Matters at Every Level
At the youth and high school levels, possessions win games. And few things create more possessions than a secured defensive rebound. But simply jumping for the ball is not enough. Winning on the glass requires early recognition, body control, and fearless commitment to contact.
Taj's story, from college standout to NBA starter, reinforces a crucial truth: mastering the fundamentals of rebounding earns playing time at every level.
The 3 Pillars of Great Defensive Rebounding
1. Staying Aggressive
Taj repeatedly emphasizes the importance of meeting the offensive player first. Instead of waiting and reacting, great rebounders initiate contact the moment a shot goes up. That early engagement, what coaches often call "hit first", stops athletic opponents from gaining momentum.
At youth and high school levels, teaching this mindset builds confidence and discourages players from relying solely on jumping ability. Even undersized players can win with anticipation and early body positioning.
Coach Tip: Use verbal cues like “Go meet him!” and practice drills where players earn points for boxing out before the shot.
2. Getting Low and Using the Lower Body
Many young players make the mistake of reaching with their arms or turning their backs without sealing space. Taj corrects this by focusing on lower-body leverage.
He shows how to step in with one foot, swing the hips around, and plant a wide base to create a barrier. This footwork matters more than size—it’s about controlling space and holding your ground.
Common Fixes:
Have players practice turning their hips into the offensive player instead of shuffling or backing in blindly.
Emphasize wide, athletic stances rather than narrow upright ones.
3. Chinning the Rebound
After securing the rebound, Taj brings the ball down to his chest and "chins it", cradling it tightly to protect from defenders. This small detail prevents strips, loose balls, and turnovers.
Chinning the rebound is often overlooked in youth coaching, but it creates strong habits. Young players should be trained to rebound and secure possession, not just grab the ball.
Progression Drill: Add light contact after the rebound to simulate pressure. Players must absorb the bump without losing the ball.
Drills to Reinforce Taj Gibson’s Method
Mirror Box Outs (1-on-1)
Start with a defender locating and tagging the offensive player. On coach's shot, the defender meets and seals. The offensive player resists for 2–3 seconds before going for the rebound.Tap-Tap-Rebound Drill
Defender taps the offensive player twice, mimicking Taj’s tap-tap cue. On “shot,” they execute a full box out and secure the ball.Rebound and Secure (2-on-2)
Add live action: two defenders vs. two offensive rebounders. Point scored only if rebound is secured, chinned, and outlet passed cleanly.
Adjustments for Youth and High School Coaches
Youth:
Use soft balls and reduce physicality in early stages.
Emphasize footwork and recognition, use cones or visual cues for "locate your man" drills.
High School:
Increase physical pressure in drills.
Tie rebounding results directly to scrimmage points or minutes earned.
Use film to break down missed box outs or poor rebounding form.
Final Takeaway: Small Habits Create Big Wins
Taj’s message is simple: rebounding is not about being the tallest or strongest, it’s about effort, positioning, and doing the little things right. If your players can stay aggressive, get low, and chin every rebound, they’ll earn minutes and win possessions.
As Taj says, "Sky’s the limit when you master the fundamentals."
