Rebounding War

Scrimmage/finisher

Compete hard to box out and win every rebound.

10 min 6–10 Half court
DefenseFootworkU12U14U16

Game guide

6–10 · 1 ball, 1 hoop

Get everyone ready

Coach shoots a missOn the shot, every defender finds a body to box out. 1X12X2C

● Player / attack■ DefenceGold: ballGreen C: coach

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Two or three players per team under the rim; coach shoots.

A coached example. In live play, players make their own decisions; the outcome can change.

Look for: Find, hit, then go get it.

Playback options
Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×
Coach’s notes & group organisation

Two or three players per team under the rim; coach shoots.

  1. Coach shoots a miss.
  2. Every defender finds and boxes out an opponent.
  3. Whoever secures the rebound scores a put-back for a point.
  4. First team to a set score wins.

Suggested reset

The rebounder completes the allowed put-back, then returns the same ball to the coach. Reset box-out matchups and swap inside and outside positions. Coach starts the next miss only when everyone is balanced and ready.

Coaching cues

  • Find, hit, then go get it.
  • Chin the ball strong on the grab.
  • Second effort wins boards.

Adapt the challenge

Easier: One-on-one box-out for a point.

Harder: Offence gets two points for a putback, defence one for a clean box-out — both sides compete.

Outlet: The rebounding team must complete an outlet pass to the coach before the point counts.

What this drill teaches

The box-out as a habit of contact: find your opponent, hit first, then go get the ball. Making every miss a scored contest supplies the competitive edge rebounding needs and never gets in shooting-line drills.

In games: Second-chance points decide youth games — the team that boxes out ends possessions with one shot, instead of giving up three cracks at the rim.

What good looks like
  • Contact made before looking for the ball
  • Rebounds chinned strong, not held loose at waist height
  • Second and third efforts when the ball bounces free

U12: one-on-one box-outs for a point keep it simple. U14–U16: expect full-contact multi-player battles, scored both ways, finished with an outlet pass.

Equipment

1 ball, 1 hoop

Setup

Two or three players per team under the rim; coach shoots.

Steps

  1. 1Coach shoots a miss.
  2. 2Every defender finds and boxes out an opponent.
  3. 3Whoever secures the rebound scores a put-back for a point.
  4. 4First team to a set score wins.

Coaching points

  • Find, hit, then go get it.
  • Chin the ball strong on the grab.
  • Second effort wins boards.

Why kids love it

Turns the unglamorous skill of rebounding into a fierce, fun battle.

Variations

Easier

One-on-one box-out for a point.

Harder

Offence gets two points for a putback, defence one for a clean box-out — both sides compete.

Outlet

The rebounding team must complete an outlet pass to the coach before the point counts.

Related drills