I have to use what I have which is my quickness. If I can’t establish position, I try to out quick the defender, maneuver him out of the rebound.

When a player I’m defending is blocking me out, I spin or reverse spin to get in front of him. I like to keep moving. That’s the main thing.

When a guy takes a shot, I try to see if it’s going to be a hard shot or a soft one. I have to picture if it hits, what side it’s going to go to. I try to position myself so I’ll be there for the rebound.

When I’m up in the air, I’m just thinking, "I have to get this rebound." Nothing negative. All I’m thinking about is getting that rebound. On defense, if I don’t get the rebound, they’re going to score. On offense, if you get the rebound, you’re able to put the ball back up and get a score.

I’m effective by being confident. I feel like all the rebounds are going to come to me. Most great rebounders will tell you they’re confident they’ll get the rebound every time. They think that rebound is going to come to them. And, somehow, that ball drops into their hands.

When I go up and get a rebound, I feel energized. I hear the crowd behind me. I feel good inside. T o work really hard and to capitalize on that and get the ball out and score, that’s great, that’s all pluses, no negatives.

I try not to look at any other players because if I do, I take my eye off the ball. Then I’m not concentrating; I’m worrying about other things. The main thing is concentration. Concentrating on that ball and not letting anything get in my way.

Chris Gatling plays forward and center for the Golden State Warriors.