Rodman Rebound Drill for Basketball: Build Toughness & One-Handed Rebounding Skills

Rebounding isn’t always clean. In fact, the best rebounders don’t wait for ideal situations—they fight through chaos, find the ball, and finish through contact.

That’s what this basketball rebounding drill is all about.

We call it Rodman Rebound—named after one of the all-time greats on the glass. It’s a tough, physical basketball rebounding drill that trains players to grab rebounds one-handed when necessary, secure the ball, and finish strong.

Before we walk through how to run it with your team, here are some more resources you may want to add to your toolkit:

1. How to Teach On-Ball Defense That Actually Works in Games
2. Jump. Mud. Bubble. The 3 Habits Your Defense Is Missing
3. Smarter Closeouts: How to Defend Shooters, Drivers, and Complete Players

Rodman Basketball Rebounding Drill Setup & Purpose

The drill starts with two players:

• One on offense
• One on defense

They’ll battle for a rebound off a coach’s toss. The twist? We’re encouraging one-handed rebounds—just like the ones players often have to make in traffic when they don’t have time or space to gather with two.

Two Reps Per Side: Each player gets two chances on offense, then they switch.

The goal is to secure the ball, keep it away from the defender, and finish.

Progression: Play Live

After the initial reps, the basketball rebounding drill gets more competitive.

Now, whoever secures the rebound becomes the offensive player, and the other becomes the defender—live.

• The offensive player must finish the rebound against pressure.
• The defender plays hard, trying to force a miss.
• Shot fakes, footwork, and physicality all come into play.

This version mirrors what happens in games—contact, decisions, and the need to finish in traffic.

Coaching Points

• Free hands on the rebound: Players need to be ready to grab with whichever hand is available. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—go get it.
• Secure with two hands after the catch: After the one-handed grab, teach players to bring it into two paws. It’s about control and protecting the ball from swipe-downs and pokes.
• Finish through contact: Whether it’s a shot fake or a power finish, the point is to score despite the chaos.

Watch the basketball rebounding drill video for Coaches

Too many players only practice clean rebounds. But games are messy. The Rodman Basketball Rebounding Drill teaches players to compete for every board and to turn tough rebounds into high-percentage finishes.

This builds:

• Confidence under pressure
• Physical toughness
• Game-ready rebounding instincts

FAQ: The Rodman Rebound Drill – Build One-Handed Rebounding Toughness and Game-Ready Finishing

Q: What is the Rodman Rebound Drill in basketball?

A: The Rodman Rebound Drill is a physical, high-contact rebounding drill that trains players to:

• Secure rebounds one-handed in traffic
• Protect the ball after the catch
• Finish under contact and pressure

Inspired by Dennis Rodman’s relentless rebounding style, the drill replicates messy, real-game rebounding situations.

Add this drill to your practice to toughen up your team’s rebounding.

Q: Why train one-handed rebounding in basketball?

A: In live game situations, players often don’t have time or space to gather with both hands. One-handed rebounding:

• Builds reaction speed
• Trains players to grab tough, off-balance rebounds
• Simulates in-traffic rebounding scenarios

It’s a realistic skill that separates elite rebounders from average ones.

Challenge players to rebound outside their comfort zone—one hand at a time.

Q: How does this rebounding drill build toughness?

A: The Rodman Rebound Drill builds toughness by:

• Creating live, physical contact under the rim
• Requiring players to battle for control in small spaces
• Forcing finishes through defensive resistance

These habits develop poise in chaos—a trait elite rebounders share.

Make rebounding a contact sport in your practices with this drill.

Q: How do you run the live-action version of this drill?

A: After initial one-handed rebound reps, go live:

• Whoever grabs the rebound becomes offense
• The other becomes the defender
• Play continues until the shot is made or missed

This builds decision-making, shot fakes, footwork, and finishing composure.

Use the live version to simulate in-game rebounding battles.

Q: How do you prevent turnovers after the rebound?

A: Teach players to:

• Secure the ball with two hands immediately after the one-handed grab
• Tuck the ball in to avoid swipe-downs
• Pivot away from traffic before outlet passes or finishes

This protects possessions and reinforces control under pressure.

Drill rebound-to-secure transitions as part of every rep.

Q: Can guards and wings use this rebounding drill too?

A: Yes—rebounding is a team skill. Guards and wings often track long rebounds or crash from the perimeter.
This drill trains all players to:

• Compete for tough boards
• Secure rebounds on the run
• Finish against bigger opponents

Include every position group in rebounding drills to build a full-team rebounding culture.

Q: What are key coaching cues during this drill?

A: Reinforce:

• “Go get it”—don’t wait for a clean bounce
• Secure after the grab—two hands to chin
• Finish through contact—use footwork and fakes
• Protect the ball—don’t expose it after the rebound

Every cue connects directly to in-game execution.

Keep these points on a whiteboard or clipboard as visual cues for your players.

Q: Where can I see the Rodman Rebound Drill demonstrated?

A: You can watch the Rodman Rebound Drill in action here: Watch the Drill
This video highlights the key technique, physicality, and progression of the drill.

Study the breakdown to run the drill with precision and intensity.

Final Note

Too many players wait for perfect rebounds—but games aren’t clean. The Rodman Rebound Drill helps players embrace chaos, secure the ball, and finish with toughness. Add it to your rotation to build a rebounding identity your team can be proud of.

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– TJ

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About the Author

TJ Rosene

Coach TJ Rosene, head coach of the Emmanuel University men’s basketball team and Director of Coach Development for PGC Coaching, has spent his career shaping young athletes both on and off the court. With over 400 career wins and 12 seasons of 20+ wins, Rosene’s coaching experience is extensive and impressive. His teams have competed in six national championship games, winning three NCCAA National Championships. Under his leadership, the Lions made their NCAA Division II debut in 2018-19 and quickly captured two season titles and one tournament title, along with an appearance in the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 in 2021.

Rosene’s success expands far beyond the scoreboard. He’s been named National Coach of the Year three times and Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year twice. But for Coach Rosene, the most meaningful part of his work is the lasting impact he has on his players’ lives. As he puts it, “Coaching is a rare opportunity to shape and mold the lives of young people. It’s a privilege that I never take for granted.”