Rebounds

Rebounds refer to the event of an object returning to play after contact or an attempt that does not result in a completed score. In sports contexts, a rebound most often describes gaining possession of the ball after a missed shot, but it can also occur when a ball rebounds off a surface or goal frame and remains in play.

In basketball, a rebound is the act of grabbing the ball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds are categorized as offensive (handled by the team that shot) or defensive (handled by the opposing team). Rebounding is valued for creating additional scoring opportunities or ending the opponent’s possession. Teams track metrics such as total rebounds, offensive and defensive rebounds, and rebound percentages to evaluate players and strategies. Factors influencing rebounds include height, reach, positioning, timing, and the ability to box out opposing players.

Rebounds also occur in other sports and contexts. In soccer and hockey, a rebound can describe the ball or puck bouncing off a post, crossbar, or goalkeeper and remaining in play, creating a secondary scoring chance. In bowling, pool, and other ball-and-collision activities, rebounds describe the return motion after impact with a surface or obstacle.

In physics, a rebound is the reversal of an object’s direction after colliding with another surface. The degree of elasticity is described by the coefficient of restitution, with perfectly elastic collisions having a value near 1 and inelastic collisions losing more kinetic energy as heat, deformation, or sound. Real-world rebounds depend on material properties, impact speed, and surface conditions.