Let me tell you something I've learned from watching countless basketball games - the team that controls the offensive glass often controls the game's outcome. I remember watching a particular game where RR Pogoy scored 18 points while Calvin Oftana added 14 points with their combined four three-pointers, and what struck me wasn't just their shooting but how their offensive rebounding created those scoring opportunities. When your team consistently grabs offensive boards, you're not just getting extra possessions - you're demoralizing opponents while building your own confidence. I've always believed that offensive rebounding separates good teams from great ones, and it's a skill any serious player should master.
The foundation of dominant offensive rebounding starts long before the shot goes up. From my experience coaching youth basketball, I've seen too many players wait until the ball hits the rim before making their move. That's about three seconds too late. The best offensive rebounders I've watched, including professionals like Steven Adams or Montrezl Harrell, begin their work the moment a shot leaves their teammate's hands. They're already reading the angle, anticipating the bounce, and establishing position. What many casual fans don't realize is that approximately 70% of missed shots rebound to the opposite side of the rim from where they were taken. That simple statistic alone should change how players position themselves. I always teach my players to crash from the weak side because the numbers don't lie - you're three times more likely to grab the board coming from the opposite side of the basket.
Positioning is crucial, but what really makes an elite offensive rebounder is the combination of anticipation and relentless effort. I've developed this sixth sense over years of playing and coaching where I can almost feel where the ball will carom based on the shooter's form and release point. When Pogoy and Oftana launch those threes, smart rebounders are already calculating the likely trajectory. Long shots tend to create long rebounds, often bouncing 12-15 feet from the basket. That's why I always emphasize having at least one player positioned near the three-point line during outside shots. The effort component can't be overstated either. I'll take a player with high motor and average athleticism over an athletic player with low energy every single time. The great Dennis Rodman once estimated that he watched game tape for at least three hours daily just to understand opponents' shooting tendencies - that's the level of dedication we're talking about.
Technique separates good rebounders from great ones, and there are specific moves I've found incredibly effective over the years. The tip drill is something I practice religiously - using one hand to keep the ball alive or direct it toward the basket. Statistics show that tipped offensive rebounds result in scores approximately 40% of the time, compared to just 25% when players try to secure the ball with two hands every time. Another technique I swear by is what I call the "swim move" - using one arm to go over the defender's shoulder to establish inside position. It's legal as long as you don't hook or hold the defender, and it's devastatingly effective. I've taught this move to high school players who immediately saw their offensive rebounding numbers jump by 2-3 per game.
The mental aspect of offensive rebounding is what most players completely overlook. I've learned to study shooters' habits during warm-ups - does they tend to miss short or long? Left or right? This intelligence becomes invaluable during game situations. When I see a player like Oftana setting up for a three, I'm already processing his shooting percentage from that spot (around 38% based on last season's stats) and his typical miss pattern. This mental database allows me to be in the right place before the shot even comes off. Another psychological edge comes from understanding that most defenders relax for that split second when the shot goes up - that's your window to attack. I've stolen countless possessions simply by outworking opponents during that momentary lapse in concentration.
Team coordination in offensive rebounding creates advantages that individual effort alone cannot achieve. What I've implemented with my teams is a system where we designate certain players as "crashers" and others as "safeties" based on their positioning and athletic abilities. The math here is simple - if we send three players to the glass aggressively, we have about a 65% chance of securing the offensive board against a standard defensive setup. The coordination extends to understanding which shots warrant aggressive crashing versus when to prioritize transition defense. On long two-point attempts, for instance, I want all four non-shooters attacking the glass because these misses typically create favorable bounce patterns.
The physical conditioning required for elite offensive rebounding is something I don't think gets enough attention. During my playing days, I focused specifically on exercises that mimicked the explosive, repeated jumping required for rebounding. Vertical leap training is important, but what matters more is your ability to jump multiple times in quick succession. I tracked my in-game activity once and discovered I was averaging 42 jumps per game, with many coming in rapid sequences. That's why my training regimen includes box jump circuits and depth jumps rather than just measuring maximum vertical. Core strength is equally critical - being able to maintain balance and absorb contact while going up for rebounds separates the men from the boys, as they say.
What I love about offensive rebounding is that it's the ultimate effort stat - it rewards persistence and hustle over pure talent. Looking at players like Pogoy and Oftana, what impresses me isn't just their scoring but how they create extra chances through relentless pursuit of missed shots. The beauty of offensive rebounding is that it's available to players of all sizes and skill levels. I've seen 5'10" guards out-rebound 6'8" centers simply because they wanted it more and used proper technique. If I had to choose one skill that provides the biggest return on investment for time spent practicing, offensive rebounding would be near the top of my list. It changes games, builds momentum, and most importantly, it gives your team more opportunities to score - and in basketball, possessions are everything.