A Lost Art: Gaining Offensive Rebounds

Growing up, I was a big Chicago Bulls fan. Of course MJ was my guy, but I was infatuated with all the role players he had beside him. Yes Pippen was an intrical piece of the pie, but I am talking about the guys that did the things that went unnoticed. It wasn't about putting the ball in the hoop, but playing with that relentless energy. It might be diving after loose balls, saving a ball before it went out of bounds, getting that tip-in or that put back, those were the momentum shifters that stood out to me. Do you all remember the game tips? It could be 21 or 32 and if you tipped the shooters ball in with your feet off the ground, they went back to zero. Well, not knowing it then, we were essentially getting offensive rebounds and that is what I am here to talk about today.   Offensive rebounds. Something that is seldom overlooked, yet so important. Keeping that possession alive, getting that extra attempt to score is so important but we always forget about it. I don't know if we are caught up in the action that we forget to see the play all the way through, but gaining offensive rebounds plays such an important part in the overall outcome of the game. Throughout our state, we have some programs that are truly dominant. Great teams that have different components that lead to their success. Within these programs and other programs throughout the state, most of the successful squads have key players who thrive on the offensive boards.   As I scoured the state, I was on a mission to find what girls are getting it done by creating extra possessions for their club. Keeping that drive alive, getting the rebound stat plus the bucket. I found that this particular thing sometimes is overlooked, but we have some girls in this state that thrive at doing it. Having the ability to anticipate, the relentless effort to get after it, to put your body in position to gain that ball takes heart, skill, and commitment. I know coaches say box out, but to get through that box out takes creativity. I'm here to bring this particular art back. I want this skill to be glorified because it takes will to grab boards.   Here are some young ladies who star at this particular skill. Not only do they gain my respect, but hopefully will one day be donning collegiate jerseys, using this skill as a tool that got them there.    [player_tooltip player_id='821620' first='Lauren' last='Hassell'] (6'3/8th Grade/F/ Clarksville Christian)- The gifted 6'3 forward can do it all. But where she makes a good living is gaining the rebound. Getting missed shot attempts has helped boost this young ladies confidence as she battles it out with opponents. The girl may be double teamed but still finds a way to fight through to get the almighty offensive rebound. She plays the game with relentless energy and this is just one trait that adds to a plethora of tools in her tool belt.   [player_tooltip player_id='513278' first='Kayte' last='Madison Bjornstad'] (6'1/ Fr./C/Franklin Road Christian Academy)- High level basketball IQ (and fantastic in the classroom), KM anticipates well, positioning herself for put backs. She goes through defense to get multiple And 1 opportunities. She has a knack for being around the ball, getting it balanced with two feet, then exploding back up and through opponents.    Jaydah Raney (5'9/So./F/ Chattanooga Christian)- What she lacks in height, she makes it up with heart. Plays the game with relentless energy. She gets after the ball no matter which way it bounces off the rim. Remember I said I loved the Bulls in the 90s, well this girl goes after the ball like Rodman. She's an unselfish player who is willing to do the dirty work.   [player_tooltip player_id='290975' first='Shinae' last='Johnson'] (5'8/ Jr./G/ Clarksville Academy)- Speed. Quickness. Fast twitch. The girl has the ability to hunt down the basketball. She anticipates well, collecting boards on both ends of the floor. Don't get me wrong, she does a phenomenal job boxing out her girl on the defensive end, but on the offensive end, she has the ability to use that foot speed to get around her opponent. She has the wherewithal to be in the right spot and the right to get that put back or to provide another opportunity for her club to score.   [player_tooltip player_id='245314' first='Nia' last='Powers'] (5'10/Sr./F/ White Co.)- Athletic big who has a knack for being around the rim. Uses her quick and ability to jump to gain rebounds. Hey, there is a reason why she is a multi-sport athlete (volleyball and tennis). The kid understands the game and positions herself to acquire the basketball. From putting the occasional misses back to getting after the basketball, she's a nightly double-double with offensive rebounds contributing to her stat line.   [player_tooltip player_id='821657' first='Marley' last='Spiers'] (6'2/8th Grader/C/ Clarksville Christian)- When you play Clarksville Christian, you get to play through two twin towers. Athletic big who uses her size to gain rebound around the rim. She can move for her size, but at the same time positions herself well to collect missed shot attempts from her teammates. From put backs to grabbing the boards and kicking it out for a 3, she's a big ingredient towards her team getting extra shot attempts.   Aaliyah Story (6'2/ Fr./ C/ David Crockett)- Blessed with great size, she's taking the high school game by storm. Being on the boards is making people around the league take notice. Her ability to anticipate, fight through defenders, gain rebound, and finish through contact in the painted area is incredible. Young and just getting her feet wet, she's gonna be a problem to deal with for many years to come.   [player_tooltip player_id='496318' first='Mallory' last='Collier'] (6'5/ Sr./C/ Bartlett)- There is a reason why N.C. State wanted her, she's a beast in the painted area. Knows how to use her body to get in position for put backs. Grabbing boards is her thing and that has led her to many opportunities beyond these borders. She's a dominant post player that knows how to use her size. A big problem in the paint, she's a vessel that is hard to stop. An important piece for the lady panther attack. Mafo Tekobo (5'10/Sr./F/ Briarcrest)- Does the little things right. Reminds me of the mailman, Karl Malone when she is in the paint. Strong with the ball, anticipates well, she's about doing the little things to give her team an edge. The girl gets after it. Reads the trajectory of the ball and gets in position to grab the boards. Plays with a motor and just flat out gets after it.

Growing up, I was a big Chicago Bulls fan. Of course MJ was my guy, but I was infatuated with all the role players he had beside him. Yes Pippen was an intrical piece of the pie, but I am talking about the guys that did the things that went unnoticed. It wasn't about putting the ball in the hoop, but playing with that relentless energy. It might be diving after loose balls, saving a ball before it went out of bounds, getting that tip-in or that put back, those were the momentum shifters that stood out to me. Do you all remember the game tips? It could be 21 or 32 and if you tipped the shooters ball in with your feet off the ground, they went back to zero. Well, not knowing it then, we were essentially getting offensive rebounds and that is what I am here to talk about today.