Converting free throws often decides games. What tips might help produce better results?
My personal best was 144 consecutive free throws in practice and 15 consecutive over a four game stretch in high school. I won the free throw shooting contest at Sam Jones' camp. They asked for someone to go first (outdoors) and I popped up. I thought if I make 10/10, no kid can handle that pressure. 10/10. Winner. My mentee, Cecilia finished second twice in the Massachusetts Elks Hoop Shoot Competition.
1. Don't get 'frozen' at the line. Step behind the line and wait for the official to give you the ball as you approach your set position.
2. Line your front foot up with "the nail" which is driven into the center of the free throw line.
3. During your pre-shot routine, breathe out just before shooting so you're unaffected by breathing motion during the shot.
4. During free throw practice, take no more than five consecutive without interruption for conditioning to simulate game situations.
5. During team practice, free throw practice is an efficient way to interrupt high intensity phases of practice. During high school, fifty years ago, Coach Lane scheduled in four rounds of ten FTs during each practice.
6. Have a consistent target. Bill Bradley advocated for the center of the four bolts holding the rim to the backboard.
7. Be a tracker. Use a spreadsheet or graph paper to record progress. Pressure and fatigue degrade performance. To shoot 80 percent in game, you'll have to shoot over 90 percent in practice.
8. "Swish or miss." Steph Curry finishes his FT practice with five consecutive swishes. Track "swish percentage."
9. Best free throw drill? Pressure free throws. We practiced with "harassment." Our practice partner could yell, say, or do anything but not physically disrupt your shot.
10.Visualization has value. Picture yourself making free throws. It works almost as well as actual practice.
Lagniappe. Coach Castellaw on free throw shooting.
