REBOUNDING TENNIS BALL OFF THE BACKBOARD. NBA veteran Mark Strickland demonstrates a a great drill to improve your rebounding skills. You want to have a partner do this drill with you. Your partner will stand behind you at the free throw line with one or two tennis balls in hand. You will stand in front of your partner facing the basket. Start to chop your feet as fast as you can. Then your partner will throw one of the tennis balls to the backboard. Once that happens you will run and jump in the air to catch the tennis ball. After you have caught the tennis ball, bring it back to your partner and start the process over. One thing to remember while doing this drill is that whatever side your partner throws the ball to, that's the hand you want to use to go up and catch the ball. For example, if you partner threw the ball to the left side, you want to go up and catch the tennis ball with your left hand. Use this drill to become a feared rebounder!