Snatch and Chin Rebounding

To start (from the squatted athletic stance position), the player should softly toss the basketball (underhand) off the backboard with right hand and then follow the toss by stepping toward the backboard in order to jump into the air to meet the basketball.

• The player should focus on exploding upward into the air, jumping and reaching as high into the air as possible, to retrieve the ball.
• The player should reach with the toss hand (right hand) to catch the basketball and snatch it out of the air.
• The player should aggressively snatch the ball out of the air with the right hand while simultaneously bringing the ball to the left hand.
• With both hands on the basketball, and as the player lands on the ground, the player should simultaneously bring the basketball under the chin with one hand on each side of the basketball.
• The player should aggressively squeeze the ball, keeping the elbows up and out, while positioning the ball under the chin (chin it).
• The player should focus on maintaining a good low post body position (squat) while ensuring that they maintain their pivot foot position.
• The player should then reposition themselves and repeat the drill from the right side of the basket.

The player should execute ten (10) reps from the right side of the basket and then move to the left side (tossing with the left hand) and execute the drill for an additional ten (10) reps. Ten (10) reps from each side will equal one (1) set. Players should execute two (2) to three (3) sets.

Skill to Drill Emphasis:

• This drill will require the player to work on conditioning and strength elements as they relate to proper rebounding fundamentals.
• Work hard to explode up into the air on every jump.
• Focus on aggressively snatching the basketball out of the air and then chining the basketball. Chining the basketball puts the ball in a good protective position; away from the opponent’s ability to swipe the ball away. By keeping the ball under the chin you keep the ball high and away from opponents. When the ball is brought down around the waist level it is exposed and easily accessible for opponents.
• Work on maintaining a powerful lower body base position as you land and chin the basketball. A powerful lower body base position is important when working to establish and maintain a quality low post and rebounding position. A powerful lower body squat position occupies space and makes it harder for opponents to access the basketball.
• Focus on squeezing the ball under the chin by positioning one hand on each side of the basketball in order to maintaining a powerful “chin it” grip.
• Keep your elbows up and out in order to expand your space. By keeping your elbows up and out, your opponent will have limited access to the basketball.
• Be on balance in your stance and work to land on the balls of your feet after you explode upward. The entire foot will be on the ground but your body weight will be shifted to the balls of the feet. Emphasis should be placed on maintaining a good solid base while being on balance.
• A good, solid, low post, base body position, along with the ball under the chin and the elbows up and out will ensure that (as a rebounder) you are securing the basketball and you are in a position to protect it from your opponents attempt to swipe it away. Working to maintain your pivot foot is also important. In this stance, with a good pivot foot, you will be able to pivot and keep your backside toward the opponent as you secure the rebound and maintain possession of the ball.