Ideal Offensive Rebounding Positions

Many basketball coaches spend a lot of time on defensive rebounding, but give only passive attention to offensive rebounding. Since only a few teams make 50% of their shots, the probability of loss of the ball when taking a shot is greater than scoring a basket.

Obviously, offensive rebounding should not be left to hustle and chance, but given the same emphasis as give on the defensive end of the court. Although the defense usually has the inside positions, you will get more offensive rebounds if you teach your players to quickly move the ideal offensive rebound positions as shown in the following diagram:

If you use the Cincinnati Offense, described above, teach players 3, 4. and 5 to go to the basket and form the triangle rebounding position as a shot is taken. Their positions will vary, in relationship to their location at the time. Accordingly, the guards, 1 and 2 will fill the rolls of deep (1) and shallow (2) safety. The guard on the outside, at the time of the shot, assumes the deep-safety position.

The diagram above shows the ideal position when using the "shallow safety" and the "deep safety" are used. The "triangle rebounders", #3, #4, and #5 form a triangle, surrounding the basket. Player #2 is the shallow safety and #1 is the "deep safety."

The number of offensive rebounders should be indicated before game time. For example, against teams who are slow about bringing the ball down the floor, there may be no need to have both a "shallow safety" and a "deep safety." In fact, against some teams, you may be able to send all five players to the board; however, this rarely happens.
 
Designate another player as "shallow safety" and place him at the free-throw line. The "shallow safety's" duty is to pick off wide rebounds and any loose ball coming his way. At the same time the "shallow safety" can still be in position to beat the defense down the floor and help the "deep safety" in the event of an opponent's fast-break. Aggressive rebounding by the other three offensive players, in triangle formation around the basket will also help prevent the fast-break situation.

Those players, who are in the rebounding triangle position must sprint as quickly as possible to the other end of the floor once it becomes apparent the ball will not be retained by a rebound. That vital area from the free-throw line to the basket must be defended against any initial offensive thrust. Once the offensive break has been stopped, the defensive players move quickly to their respective assignments.

Teams that make a smooth transition from offense to defense, then sprint quickly to the other end of the floor, generally have the most effective defenses. In order to change defenses, the defensive team must be a single compact unit ready for the offense to approach.

Allot some time every practice session toward mastering the important skill of checking the opponent's fast-break. Divide your squad into teams of five. Have them run their offense from half-court without defenders, take a shot, and assume the correct rebound and safety positions. If the shot is missed every effort should be made by rebounders to put the ball in the basket while the "deep safety" and "shallow safety" maintain their defensive positions. Once the shot is made, all five players must sprint to the opposite end of the court. Their first obligation is to defend the basket area against possible lay-ups or short jump shots.

After the initial offensive attack has been repelled, the players should move quickly as possible to their respective defensive assignments. While the first five retreats, have the next five ready to repeat the same procedure.

In scrimmages always emphasize the importance of have someone back for defensive purposes and it may not always be the same player who carries out these assignments. When the foregoing method is used, the "shallow safety" can free-lance if he sees that he has a better chance of getting the rebound than the "triangle-three" nearest the basket. However, he must understand his first responsibility is to give support to the "deep safety." He does this by discouraging a quick outlet pass, picking off wide rebounds, and getting down-floor fast.

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Guard-Around Play Options

As can be seen from the next five diagrams, the setup is the same in every case with five options for the guard to exercise as he sees fit. Here are a few pointers to help coaches in developing this play: A guard must be an excellent ball handler. A guard must be quick. All guard-around plays must be run with maximum speed in ball handling and footwork. A guard must always be in a triple threat position when he catches the ball. The guard-around play works best when the guard is near a sideline. The guard should cut right off the tail of the forward in a straight line at the basket, not a circular route. The following four diagrams with explanations will show how each option is executed. These series of guard plays will work with any type defense. Regardless of how a defender maneuvers, one of these plays will fit the situation. It was from these options that the famous Kentucky Coach Rupp developed the famous Kentucky offense. It can easily be seen that Rupp depended a great deal on his guards being scoring threats as his forwards and centers. He felt with clever ball handling, two of his smaller players could set up a well defined five player offense that fit well in his Kentucky patterned offense. When they exhausted the possibilities of two-man plays, they included the third (pivot) man into the play and many other high-percentage scoring opportunities than shown here were used by Coach Rupp. These plays can be used on either side of the floor. They are excellent ball handling drills in teaching basic fundamentals of basketball. Coach Rupp sent his players through these drills most every practice. Not only did the develop ball-handling ability, change of direction, goal shooting, rebounding, and other necessary fundamentals, but, at the same time, built his complete offense. Guard Around - First Option: Guard #1 passes to Forward #2 who steps out to meet the pass in every case and turns his body as if to pass to #3 at the high post; however, he flips the ball to #1 who is cutting outside. If #1 is a good 3-point shooter, he can usually get an open shot here, take one dribble and shoot, or dribble all the way in for a lay-up, whichever best presents itself. Guard Around - Second Option Guard #1 passes to #2 who turns toward the free-throw lane, takes one dribble, jumps in the air, and hooks a pass to #1 who cut by him. Guard Around - Third Option: Guard #1 passes to Forward #2 who flips the ball back to #1 as in Option 1, but this time #2 rolls to the basket expecting a return pass from Guard #1. Guard Around - Fourth Option: Guard #1 passes to #2 who takes one dribble, pivots, and passes back to #1 who cut around him to the basket. In the guard-around play, the player with the ball may hand off to a teammate crossing behind him and set a lateral screen, or a player can set a lateral screen for the dribbler as the dribbler crosses behind him. In either case, the screener can stop close to the defender, because the defender can see the screen coming. When the man with the ball hands off or passes to the dribbler and sets a lateral screen, he should stop and use an offensive roll immediately after the teammate move by him. Stepping imperceptibly toward the second opponent, in the direction of the end line, with the foot nearest the end line he pivots on that foot, away from the opponent he has screened. With this move he avoids causing any contact and obtains and holds an inside advantage on the opponent if there is a defensive switch, His pivot foot steps directly toward the basket. He should continue toward the basket quickly with his inside hand up as a target for a pass if the defensive switch occurs, the best passing lane opens immediately after the defensive exchange is made. Guard Around - Fifth Option: Guard #1 passes to #2 and cuts outside. #2 catches the ball with a jump stop, pivots, fakes a pass to #1, and dribbles inside to shoot.

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