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How Barcelona steals 1 possession every game (… and nobody talks about it)

Much has been said and written about the use of analytics in basketball.

And sometimes it seems like people can only think in black and white.

As brilliant as he was, I honestly think Albert Einstein would’ve made a terrible basketball coach.

But at the same time, if you’re coaching at a high level without using any analytics, you’re basically driving the bus blindfolded.

Because sometimes, numbers show you something your gut (or call it your master’s eye) never will.

Take this for example: while studying the advanced numbers from last EuroLeague season, one detail caught my attention.

FC Barcelona found a way to steal one possession every single game.

That’s something I’d have never caught with the eye test alone.

It doesn’t sound like much — until you realise what it means.

In a league where over one third of games are decided by two possessions or less, an extra possession per game is a serious edge.

Let me add context.

Last season, EuroLeague teams averaged 19 free throw attempts per game, making them at a 78% clip.

That means that on average 2 to 3 times per game, a team misses its last free throw — creating a potential rebounding situation.

Most teams don’t pay special attention to it.

But Barcelona does.

Since 2025, they’ve grabbed an offensive rebound on 46% of those missed final free throws. (League average 18%!)

That’s nearly one out of every two. Giving them on average one possession more every game.

Now, what’s the trick? There is actually none.

We’ve all seen and used special techniques to come up with an offensive rebound on a late-game free throw situation.

But what I want to highlight from Barcelona is no gimmick. Just awareness and intention.

Barcelona’s technique is brutally simple.

Both offensive rebounders brutally push their defenders as far under the rim as possible.
And the difference-maker is the free throw shooter: he stays alert and mobile, reading the bounce, ready to attack any loose ball.

If you want to see it in action:
Below is a short video showing all of Barcelona’s free throw offensive rebounds from the past months.
Including two of them in their Euroleague season opener against Hapoel.

It’s no secret anymore. In today’s game, second chances are no longer a luxury.
They’re a strategy.

Last week, I was invited to speak at an international coaching clinic in Dubai. My topic?
“Building a Modern Philosophy on Offensive Rebounding.”

Offensive rebounding not as a hustle stat, but as a crucial element to a strategy. I’ll share more on that philosophy soon.

Until next time,
Pascal

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