There is a misconception that only a tall basketball player can be a great rebounder. The conventional thought is, 'taller equals a higher jump and a longer reach which equates to more rebounds.' This false line of reasoning leads the unmotivated player to lessen his effort. "Why try? I'm not as tall; I can't get the rebound." In fact, many of the greatest rebounders in the history of basketball were relatively short - they succeeded through superior positioning, exceptional effort, extraordinary anticipation, and a rabid appetite for possession of the ball. There was a will, and they found the way.
Without addressing the fallacy of 'height means greater jumping ability,' the reality is that a majority of rebounds are garnered beneath the height of the rim, rather than above the rim. Because of this fact, height, to a certain extent, becomes a non-factor. The great rebounder recognizes that space is best created by widening his base, i.e., assuming a strong, poised, athletic crouch and using his posterior and hips to move his opponent farther away from the path of a rebound. A higher jump, and/or a height advantage, is negated by distance. This is what it means to "block out."
Get lower and wider than your opponent. Use this position of strength to clear out space. Stay wide, and forget about whether you're tall, or not. Width equals space equals rebounds equals success.
Without addressing the fallacy of 'height means greater jumping ability,' the reality is that a majority of rebounds are garnered beneath the height of the rim, rather than above the rim. Because of this fact, height, to a certain extent, becomes a non-factor. The great rebounder recognizes that space is best created by widening his base, i.e., assuming a strong, poised, athletic crouch and using his posterior and hips to move his opponent farther away from the path of a rebound. A higher jump, and/or a height advantage, is negated by distance. This is what it means to "block out."
Get lower and wider than your opponent. Use this position of strength to clear out space. Stay wide, and forget about whether you're tall, or not. Width equals space equals rebounds equals success.
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