Here’s a Tip
One of the most annoying (when it goes wrong) and most satisfying (when it goes right) actions in basketball is the tip out of the rebound. I’m talking about when a player is trying to go for the rebound, but just can’t quite get their hands all the way on the ball, so they tip it or flip it out to another player. Of course in the middle of this tipping you’re hoping that it goes to someone on your own team. I hoped this at least 3 times this morning when I played. Unfortunately, my hopes were dashed each time. All three of my tips were perfect passes to someone on the other team today. Some days I’m a little more lucky–and that’s the trouble. For me, luck is a necessary component.
When coaching, I know that it was the philosophy of our coaching staff to discourage kids (jr. high and high school age) from tipping the ball away on a rebound. Mainly because we wanted them to improve their rebounding abilities, and not develop any lazy habits. The rebound tip is however, a great tool to have in the arsenal if you can do it correctly. There is one player on the Jazz roster who is a master at this technique and that player is Andrei Kirilenko.
‘Generous Tip’ (Nathaniel S. Butler - NBAE/Getty Images)
AK has the most amazing court sense, and vision. He seems to have studied physics and kinesiology and incorporated it into his game. When I see other players bat the ball out of the key, I usually cringe, but not when Andrei does it. You know it’s going into the right hands when he knocks the ball out to someone who’s in a better position to either score, or pass; the ball nearly always stays in possession of the Jazz when he does this.
I would really love it if there were stat categories for all of the intangibles like the tip, bothering a shot, etc. Of course they wouldn’t be intangible then would they?
Hopefully Andrei Kirilenko’s recent injury will not keep him from performing these amazing feats for long. Speaking of injuries, have you ever wondered who takes care of all of the injuries occurring on a team? Well in the near future I’ll talk about just that. Until then, go Jazz. I’m starting to get a fever, and the only prescription; is more Jazz basketball!
8 Comments to “Here’s a Tip”
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actually A K is so good at tipping the rebound because he doesn’t box out! which is exactly why they don’t teach this because it is a lazy way of not getting in position for rebounds. Andre is by far the worst on the jazz at getting into position and boxing a man out to insure the rebound. that is why we do better when Millsap is in.
yea but the guy is scrawny, he has to tip it, he cant box out he just gets shoved around. Go AK. I guarantee he’s better than you
Good blog except for the use of the word Kinesiology!! The hardest I ever worked was getting my husband through that class with a decent grade. Players are good at doing things one way and some others another way. The important thing is to get the rebound and never tip it out under the opposing basket. I will look forward to hearing about the trainers. They do miracles without much credit.
Linda, I liked kinesiology so much in college I took it twice!! Well, actually I took it the first time during a shortened summer quarter. I decided to take it again and get an A instead of a B- (or was it a C+ (gasp)), and I was entering the athletic training program and wanted to understand the subject a lot better. As we saw with AK’s injury, an understanding of kinesiology is essential for the athletic trainer.
mrsjazz, I would agree that sometimes Andrei doesn’t box out, but you know I have to address something that a lot of people forget about. In the last season as well as this one, AK’s position has changed, and he’s shooting a lot more outside shots. If you are the one shooting from the outside, you’re not going to be the one banging around in the key for the rebound. Sure, at times, I agree, he needs to box out more, but I think he also realizes his strenghts and weaknesses. I think it’s a lot more likely that he gets a rebound or for that matter a blocked shot when he uses his jumping ability and quickness vs trying to hold off a bigger, stronger player. Conversely, if Carlos Boozer tries to get rebounds with mere jumping ability and not boxing out, he’s really wasting one of his strengths–his size at his position. Maybe I personalize this a little because, at 6′0 tall, in the women’s game I’ll play forward, sometimes even center. But sometimes I play more of a guard/forward, getting more outside shots, and while I can follow my shot, it’s humanly impossible to be down in the blocks rebounding as soon as my outside shot goes up. Sorry for the novel, just one of my personal “pet-peeves” rearing it’s ugly head.
So here I am reading the comments, when all of a sudden I read a comment written by ‘me’. Funny, I don’t recall writing a comment and especially a comment on nothing I really know about. Seems as if my son, has been using my computer. All I know is that we need AK healthy and I hope he is back soon full strength!
The ‘real’ MrsJazz
Hello all, (including linda) just joking.
AK has such a huge amount of skills that I don’t think blocking out is a major problem in his game. I think AK is a very sensitive hard working player with unlimited talent. The only thing I see is he is the type of person who needs some encouragement from the right sources. He is to me the mvp of many games.
Thanks for the opportunity to share thoughts.
Ernest Monson
Hey Ernest…..Don’t I fit in with everyone? Did I say something wrong?? I would have to take time to cry if I didn’t have to hurry and get dinner taken care of so we can watch the game tonight. Hope there is more focus than last night! By the way, I agree with your blog!!!!!!!!!! Imagine that!!!!!!!!!
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