Rebounding is easily the most overlooked skill in basketball. I’ve never heard the crowd cheer when a dominant rebounder knocks down their 12th backboard of the game. Don’t let the noise of the crowd fool you! Rebounding is absolutely essential in basketball. Here are 3 skills that will make you a better rebounder.

#1) Anticipation: Dennis Rodman, aka “The Worm,” had a long and successful NBA career by being extremely good at anticipation. For those of you who remember him, he wasn’t much of an offensive threat. But he averaged double-digit rebounds per game for his entire career. He had a great ability to anticipate when a shot would be taken. He also had a great vision of how the ball would come out of the hoop. By doing so, he was able to put himself in the best position to secure the rebound. To practice anticipation you have to make a conscious effort to think about it as you play. The next time you compete, try looking for offensive rebounds by anticipating when your teammates are about to shoot and then chasing after the basketball. On the defensive end, it’s important to get your own man out. Once you box, he aggressively chases after the basketball. You can become a better rebounder simply by learning to anticipate.

#2) Leverage: Charles Barkley was far from the tallest power forward when he played in the NBA. He is in the Basketball Hall of Fame and is also known as one of the best rebounders to ever play. He used leverage to create space between his opponent and the basket. The bottom man wins in basketball and this is especially true when it comes to rebounding. It is important that your center of gravity is lower than your opponent’s so that you can get them out of the lock. To improve this skill, practice sitting on a wall with your legs at a 90-degree angle and your back against the wall. This will help you develop muscle memory and get into a low position faster.

#3) Physicality: One of my coaches once told me that if you get physical with your opponent for the first 3 possessions of the game, he will probably lose his intensity. This turned out to be true and I made it a habit throughout my career. If you push your opponent out of the paint during the first 3 possessions of the game, most players will stop hitting the boards to try and get an offensive rebound. It doesn’t happen 100% of the time, but in my experience 90% of players don’t like being pushed and will avoid contact. This will make your life much easier during the game and your rebounding stats will skyrocket.

Here are 3 quick tips that will help you become a better rebounder. Rebounding gives your team an extra opportunity to score. The fans won’t normally cheer when you knock that board down, but your coach and teammates will appreciate you as a player.