If you want to become a better rebounder in basketball, you have to study from the best. So, here’s how to rebound like Dennis Rodman –the 7-time rebounding champion.
When I first saw Dennis Rodman, I thought he was a punk.
Honestly, I thought he was a troublemaker. He had a bunch of tattoos and piercings. And his hair colour seemed to change every couple of weeks.
At this time, I didn’t know much about the NBA. I had only watched a handful of games, so I didn’t know what he could do on the court.
And this is probably what many of you thought when you first saw him too.
Rodman is often misconstrued as a party boy who never took his career seriously.
Some of you may have even been introduced to him as Kim Jong-Un’s (North Korea’s Leader) best friend.
But this is all false (except for the latter).
Rodman is a professional through and through. He may like to stay out late and come to a couple of practices late, but when he works, he works hard. And when he plays, he plays harder.
You don’t become the best rebounder in league history by not working.
Dennis Rodman’s Process for Rebounding
If you watched the Michael Jordan docu-series, The Last Dance, or have seen any of Rodman’s interviews, you know that Rodman’s work ethic is real.
Not only did he practise the basketball skills he needed to play the way that he plays, but he also meticulously studied his opponents and teammates.
He studied how they shot, the geometry of their shots, and where he needed to position himself to grab rebounds.
In The Last Dance, Rodman revealed what he did to become a phenomenal rebounder.
Via Uproxx Dime:
“I think my second or third year in the league, I actually figured out what I can do best: rebound and play defense,” Rodman said.
“Basically, I just started learning how to perfect that. I just used to have my friends, late at night — sh*t, 3, 4 in the morning — go to the gym, I’d say, ‘Shoot the ball. Just shoot it over here, shoot it over here, shoot it over there, shoot it over there. I just sit there and react, react. I just practiced a lot about the angle of the ball and the trajectory of it. You got a Larry Bird, it’s gonna spin. You got a Magic [Johnson], major spin. When Michael shoot over here, I position myself right there.”
After years of learning and practising, he developed a high IQ for rebounding. This is why, as a small power forward, he was able to average 15 plus rebounds a game in his 30s.
And, obviously, he also had a lot of grit and heart, and never backed down from larger players.
Importance of IQ in Basketball
Having a vast knowledge of how to play basketball is very important, especially if you’re not the most athletic.
The reason why is that you’ll be able to be effective while not having to possess the power of a panther.
Instead of jumping over a defender for a contested shot, a high IQ would allow you to find a better shot.
You can, for instance, pump fake to create space for a clean, open bank shot.
The same goes for the defensive end. You probably don’t have the vertical or size to block shots.
But with knowledge of how to do so, you can contest every shot your opponent takes, making it difficult for them to take clean shots.
To increase your knowledge, the only things you can do are play a bunch of basketball and learn from the best.
You have to pay attention and be mindful when you’re playing. Notice what works and what doesn’t, and analyze why.
You have to take tips and advice from the greats (or players with more experience) and apply it to your game (if it’s applicable).
As the Mandalorians say, “this is the way.”
Final Thoughts
Rodman is a legend of the sport. He is one of the best defenders and rebounders in the game.
And it’s all because of his work ethic and knowledge of how to accomplish the task.
Thus, you have to apply this philosophy to yourself and you’ll be able to master anything.
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