Beat Box Outs With The Rodman Drill

Home > Coaching > Drills > Rebounding > Rebounding Drill: Reverse Pivot Technique

Basketball coaches constantly preach unselfishness. And they should - teams that play for each other will always be more successful than those whose players care only about themselves.

However, there is an exception to that - rebounding! For 20 years, I've told my teams that rebounding is one area they can be as selfish as they like. Go get the ball! No one was better at that than Dennis Rodman.

This is even more true on the offensive glass. I've generally given players the green light to try to score when they get an offensive rebound. The ability to pursue their own shot in that situation is their reward for their effort.

Because we talk about unselfishness in other aspects of the game, our players haven't abused this. But they know that if they get an offensive rebound and have a good shot, they are expected and entitled to take it!

As with any skill, there are techniques that make you a better offensive rebounder. Use this drill to teach your players ways to get more offensive rebounds and more points.

Drill Purpose (All Ages)

This drill is intended to build muscle memory applicable to establishing and beating box outs. In other words, it will help you get MORE offensive rebounds! It should be done as a form drill at three-quarters speed. This drill builds the muscle memory and economy of motion that are required when jostling for rebounding position.

Instructions

    drill 1 diagram
  1. Four offensive and four defensive players line up on opposite sides of the half-court line facing one another about six feet apart. On the coach's whistle, the defenders do a form box out while the offensive players make a jab-step to the right. The defenders should respond to the jab step by shifting the box out in that direction.
  2. drill 2 diagram
  3. From there, you will practice 2 offensive rebounding techniques:
    1. The Spin: The offensive players lift the left foot slightly and position it so that they maintain balance while performing a reverse pivot to establish a side-by-side position with the defenders. The reverse pivot should be explosive and executed with a low center of gravity. The right arm should be used to reinforce the pivot motion and should be raised to shoulder level at the end of the pivot. After the spin, the defender and the offensive player should end up side by side facing the same direction.
    2. The Swim: The offensive player steps across the defender with their right foot and "swims" their right arm over the defender's left shoulder to gain leverage. The combination of the footwork and upper body technique will result in the offensive player ending up next to the defender, both facing the same direction.
  4. The drill should be repeated using mirror principles in the opposite direction. Repeat the drill until all players have performed five spins and five swims in both directions.

Points of Emphasis

  • The jab-step needs to be convincing; weight on the leg and leaning while maintaining enough balance to rock back into the reverse pivot.
  • The reverse pivot needs to be explosive, executed from a low center of gravity, and wide.
  • Focus on proper form and footwork.
  • The swim should be forceful without fouling. The offensive player cannot grab the defender but should use their upper arm to apply force and gain positioning.
  • In rebounding drills, require your players to spin or swim off the boxout to ensure they are applying these techniques.
  • Coach players to watch the flight of the shot. In doing so, they learn to anticipate where the ball will bounce, allowing them to beat the defender to the ball.

Attack The Offensive Glass

Offensive rebounding should be part of every offense. This is even more true at the youth level, where shooting percentages are low.

Encourage your players to be aggressive and smart. The swim and spin techniques allow the offensive player to get good position without fouling.

With practice, your players will become adept at getting extra shots. Even better, these shots are higher percentage shots, since they are usually close to the rim!



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Comments

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Noah says:
2/28/2024 at 8:05:11 AM

Is their a video, showing how this drill would work? It’s a little confusing how it would go without no video

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rick says:
12/13/2020 at 11:06:43 PM

Would be great to see a good video of this drill

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Joe Haefner says:
12/15/2008 at 2:01:08 PM

Hi Tony,

When the defense turns to block out the offensive player, they will turn their back to the defenders.

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tony says:
12/14/2008 at 9:17:21 PM

does the defense continous face the offense or do they turn with their back to the offense?

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Joe (Co-founder of Breakthrough Basketball) says:
2/12/2008 at 12:25:56 PM

Reverse Pivot example -
Pretend your right foot is your stationary (pivot) foot. Swing your left leg behind you until you're facing the opposite direction.

If you were to reference a clock, let's say your right foot is 3 o'clock, left foot is 9 o'clock, and your facing towards 12 o'clock. Your left foot would be rotating from 9 o'clock, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, and end at 3 o'clock. It should be one, fluid motion all the way from 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock. Now, you would be facing towards 6 o'clock. The complete opposite direction. Your right foot should stay planted throughout the whole motion. Hope that helps.

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the Dane says:
2/12/2008 at 5:51:12 AM

i don`t understand the reverse pivot, is this a roll with the back 2 the D off the D, or is this just step pivot?

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bobby gabriel says:
7/31/2007 at 8:12:32 AM

thanks alot

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Ali says:
6/27/2007 at 11:59:03 PM

Very rare and useful drill

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