{"id":2642,"date":"2016-08-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-08-01T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webinology.website\/nation2021\/shooting-the-free-throw\/"},"modified":"2021-11-03T13:01:43","modified_gmt":"2021-11-03T17:01:43","slug":"basketball-tips-improving-your-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coachup.com\/nation\/articles\/basketball-tips-improving-your-free","title":{"rendered":"Shooting The Free Throw"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shooting The Free Throw<\/strong><\/p>\n

At any level of basketball, you\u2019ll see shooters at the free throw line going through a specific routine. In fact, they may even look like they\u2019re performing short rituals before taking their shots. And although these habits and routines may look strange and unnecessary, it\u2019s done in order to help initiate the shooter\u2019s muscle memory and instinct. The more comfortable a player is at the line, the better. They might bounce the basketball a certain number of times or spin it in their hands in order to feel at ease.<\/p>\n

Nate Robinson, for example, spins the basketball around his waist a few times before taking his free throw shots and Jason Kidd blew kisses towards his family. They do this every attempt because shooting free throws needs to be second nature. By having a routine, the player’s body uses muscle memory to take the shot. Basically, shooting a free throw should be an innate motion that doesn’t require thought. Take CoachUp\u2019s certified tips with you the next time you\u2019re at the stripe, that way, you can start putting more points on the board consistently for your team.<\/p>\n

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Try to Align<\/strong><\/p>\n

First, you want to align your shooting hand with the basket. If you are a righty, you should be standing with your right foot in the center of the foul line, and vice-versa if you\u2019re lefty. Make sure your shoulders are square to the basket as well, you wouldn\u2019t kick a field goal by pointing your body towards the sidelines, right? The same principle applies here! You\u2019ll want to make the shot as easy as possible for you, so making sure you\u2019re pointed straight on towards the hoop and aligned correctly will take a ton of pressure off the shot.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Your B.E.E.F?<\/strong><\/p>\n

B.E.E.F. stands for balance, elbow, eyes, and follow-through — it\u2019s the age-old adage that you were likely taught in elementary school gym class, but it still rings true, even for professionals. They may seem self-explanatory, but there are handfuls of athletes that ignore these ideals and don\u2019t practice enough to become an above average shooter at the line. Simply put, if you can\u2019t be relied upon to make a free throw, you\u2019ll often find yourself glued to the bench during the most important moments.<\/p>\n

Or, take for example, the conundrum behind poor free throw shooters like Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan. These two seven-foot behemoths are two of the league\u2019s best rebounds and shot blockers, but are both sub-60% shooters for their careers. Over the last couple years, opposing teams have starting using this to their advantage by intentionally fouling them to make them shoot two free throws. This often resulted in just a one-point possession, or even worse, consecutive misses and an empty opportunity. So, the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers are sometimes forced to hide these great athletes on the bench until absolutely necessary, which can often change the course of an entire game, series, or season.<\/p>\n

Balance, Young Grasshopper<\/strong><\/p>\n

When shooting, keep your weight on your toes, not your heels. The power for the shot comes from your legs, so keep your knees bent. As you are taking the shot, rise up on your toes using momentum from your legs. Use your weak hand to balance the basketball as you shoot.<\/p>\n

Truthfully, you can\u2019t shoot the free throw at a consistent rate without a respectable and reliable core balance. If you\u2019re wobbling all over the place, you\u2019ll be far more susceptible to aiming your shot, which is the absolute last thing you want to do while at the line. Every attempt should be as close to a copy as your last as possible. Your body must get into the same habits of balance, so take your time to settle and get into the correct position.<\/p>\n

Point The Way With Your Elbows<\/strong><\/p>\n

This goes back to your form as well — you\u2019ll want to have your arms bent at the elbow, straight and forward towards the rim. Imagine cocking your elbow out to the right or left, then you\u2019ve got to re-calculate your angle and aim on the fly. Remember, free throwing should be second-nature and really require little to no thought.<\/p>\n

Aiming the ball and overthinking is what causes so many players difficulty at the line, so don\u2019t join them! Keep your body and elbows focused straight ahead at your target and you\u2019ll see improvements in no time.<\/p>\n

Beauty Is In The Eye of The Beholder<\/strong><\/p>\n

Keep your focus on the basket instead of the ball — thus keeping you focused on your target and end goal. If you\u2019re trying to kick a penalty in soccer, you focus on hitting your spot, not at the ball below you. If you\u2019re trying to hit an ace in tennis, you\u2019ll be focusing on the desired location, not the tennis ball in your hand!<\/p>\n

Staying focused on the target at hand will help you keep your thoughts at bay as well. The more you might look around, the more distractions you may find. So don\u2019t worry about the score, the time, your significant other, family, homework, or whatever it may be. Being focused on the task in front of you will greatly improve your technique and percentages.<\/p>\n

Flick Of Da Wrist<\/strong> Shoot the basketball with your fingertips, not with the palms of your hands. As you release the ball, follow through with your shot, even going so far as to flick your wrist and point at your target. You should hold your body in the position until the ball goes through the basket. It may seem crazy to hold onto your follow-through for so long after the release, but it\u2019s incredibly common in other sports — such as baseball, football, and golf, so those guys must be onto something! If anything, practicing good habits will help you stay focused and concentrated even when the pressure is at its highest.<\/p>\n