Free throw/ General shooting tips

[Moth]

Anyone got any advice or tips on how to increase free throw % up to a very high standard or just shooting tips in general.

[Threeball]

Funny Moth I was just about to start a thread on tips for a different skill, coming after this….

Shooting: I shoot about 85% from the foul line, and all I can say is that practice got me there. I wish I spent as much time when I was younger on shooting from other areas of the court!

Depends on what your situation is, but for me, the greatest improvement in my free throw shooting took place after I read a book called “Basketball FundaMENTALS”. This book was all about the mental side of the game, and believing in your ability. You may think this is a crock, but when I played under 18’s and below I found I was probably shooting 80% from the foul line, made half my three’s when shooting around, but in games my foul shooting was under 50% every year and my three point shooting was probably close to 20% (didn’t keep stats, but I used to shoot a lot of them each game, and it wasn’t pretty).

Free throw shooting more than anything is a mental proposition. Good technique and rhythm is crucial, but for me, confidence was the biggest stumbling block.

I still haven’t worked out that three-point shot though!

Other than that, I think it’s all the basics – get a lot of rotation on the ball, a high arc, use your legs to get power not your arms, blah blah blah.

EDIT: Found this for you:
http://www.coachesclipboard.net/FreeThrows.shtml

[Coachpete]

Anyone got any advice or tips on how to increase free throw % up to a very high standard or just shooting tips in general.

Simple answer.....practice.

Once heard some American shooting guru dude saying anyone can be a good shooter.......all you have to do is shoot 500 shots a day every day for two years..........simple really! :lol:

[Threeball]

One more thing on shooting – if you’re action isn’t right, change it. I used to shoot the ball from behind my head (sort of Shane Heal, but much more unco) and I thought it was fantastic. My range was good, I never got blocked, but it was wildly inconsistent (good some days, bad others) and was less effective the closer you got to the rim (due to a very flat arc). I resolved to change my action. It took less time than I thought it would, maybe three or four months, and whilst my game suffered in that time, I came back being able to shoot from midrange like normal people!

So if there is anything wrong with your action, even if you think you’re a good shooter now, I’d suggest you commit to correcting it.

[BlowJoggs]

I second all that's been offered.

Practice is obviously the thing as repetition enhances muscle memory. Like Coachpete quoted, you shoot enough times they're bound to go in.

I always chuckle whenever I see an awkward looking jumpshot. As a kid I assumed that to play basketball you had to shoot the correct way. Funny too that many great shooters like Miller, Gaze, Peja have somewhat unorthodox shooting styles.

I've never thought of free throws as being a skillful shot. Because of the distance, I view it more as a mental obstacle. Let's face it with no pressure, free throws are almost as easy as layups (arguable, but that's how I feel).

Growing up I use to try and practise clutch situations by doing this: before taking the free throw I would envision a situation/consequence that would occur if I were to miss.

I'd say to myself "if you miss this free throw, you're not to play ball for 2 weeks" or "you'd have to run 3 kms". I always did the 'punishment' and I thought if I could to that, it would prepare you when shooting free throws in a game. I do this with my younger brother. I set him a goal say, 10 consecutive free throws. If he fails he does 25 repetition of these plyometric jumps that he absolutely loathes. Works like a charm.

NBA players emulate a similar drill/concept by shooting for money/bets. If you can tackle the mental/focus stuff, free throws become synch.

Also the other generic advise they offer is to establish a rhythm like bounce, bounce, bounce (to your left hand side if your Rip Hamilton) and focus on a target. I've never applied that consciously. Too much thinking required.

[Threeball]

I saw a guy the other night make 25 three's in a row going round the circle a la the NBA three point contest and his action looked w-e-i-r-d! Very high and very very effective obviously. So maybe I'm a chump, but I think the fundamentals and the FundaMENTALS are key :wink:

[Borat]

Use the BEEF principle

Balance - get a good balance with your feet shoulder width apart and your toes pointing straight
Elbow - Make an "L" shape through your elbow - ie ball resting on your hand, forearm straight down and upper arm at right angles
Extension - Extend your arm with a fluid motion starting with bent knees straightening, torseau lifting and arm straightening
Follow through - Flick your wrist and reach into a cookie jar on your tip toes.

[Cee_em_bee]

Use more wrist and less arm and don't think about it

I used to go through a whole routine with my freethrow which would take me about 5 seconds, I usually shot around 50%, It'd be one and off..

But now I just catch the ball and shoot, I shoot about 70% now..

[Goose]

I shot in an unorthodox way for my first 5 years of basketball and my coach said if I was taught the right way first, I would be shooting like a pro.
He changed the way I shot in 3 months and my game also struggled in the meantime.
But since then I shoot around 90% from the free throw line.
I did 200 free throws a day and 300 three point shots a day.
Im usually getting 180/300 threes or more.
But this is on the same hoop...I go to another hoop and it goes down quite a bit, more like 150.
I don't do this anymore, too lazy.

[Goose]

Oh and before he changed my shooting I was still shooting high%...
I just sucked in the paint because I shot with two hands.
Releasing with 2 hands from 3 point line used to give me more power...but I couldn't think of shooting like that now.

[MAIN_MAN]

i shoot Ft's at the 75 - 80% mark. My technique is ordinary but i have a mental picture of the ball swishing in the net before i shoot it.
And i concetrate of course!

[jwts]

Anyone got any advice or tips on how to increase free throw % up to a very high standard or just shooting tips in general.

Simple answer.....practice.

Once heard some American shooting guru dude saying anyone can be a good shooter.......all you have to do is shoot 500 shots a day every day for two years..........simple really! :lol:

It certainly helped me a lot when I was playing for rep basketball team. :wink: I spent hours practicing shooting @ different areas, especially downtown. You could make a bet with 5 guys @ free throw area, lots of pressure. Practice makes perfect, simple advice 8)

[ohmy1980]

I consider myself to be good shooter even though I don't play comp any more just socially, so here goes. As for you technique, if its a bit inconsistent change it. I pretty much taught myself how to shoot just by watching good shooters like Chuck Person and Mark Price. (not Reggie Miller) Square your shoulders to the rim. I found that even off balance as long as my shoulders were square and the release was at the usual place it was still on target. As for shooting in general, use the backboard ala Duncan style, i think its much more forgiving if your shot isn't always perfect. Also the quick release drills are great if you're short like me (5'8)

[Threeball]

I actually disagree with the "square your shoulders to the basket" theory. A lot of shooting coaches say this is actually not as ideal as once thought. Same goes for the elbow directly under the ball thing. Your elbow should be bent a little out from the body, but not much.

[ohmy1980]

I don't know then, but it worked for me. before forcing myself to square up, when I finished my release used to make my body go almost side on to the rim. Being right handed unless I was absolutely feeling it I'd be shooting about 30% percent from general play with almost all shots missing to the right. Squaring up made me feel more balanced and there was less variation in direction from jumper to jumper.Obvoiusly it doesn't have to be a mathematical 90 degrees to the rim but close enough so that you're comfortable with your release as well. No one is exactly built the same. So fine tune your technique. Mind you I had a mate in high school who was the shotput champ of the school who was a nightmare to play against because he had a really awesome skyhook that went to the 3pt line and he could shoot it consistently at about 40%. So whatever works best.

[Lemon Custard]

Use the BEEF principle

Balance - get a good balance with your feet shoulder width apart and your toes pointing straight
Elbow - Make an "L" shape through your elbow - ie ball resting on your hand, forearm straight down and upper arm at right angles
Extension - Extend your arm with a fluid motion starting with bent knees straightening, torseau lifting and arm straightening
Follow through - Flick your wrist and reach into a cookie jar on your tip toes.

I use this with the 4-12 year olds.. except my second E is for eyes.

And as for the follow through I prefer the "pulling of the string" method, basically you flick your wrist into a "holding shape" with your fingers and then when it hits the ring or goes in, you pull the string. This encourages the kids not to rush their shots and use the full follow through.. works every time..

Oh and particularly with free throws, prepare for every shot in exactly the same way..

[-Q-]

Not the I recommend breaking your leg but that's what did it for me. Not being able to run anywhere, I just shot from the same spot with a ball returner. The hidden point to my story is practice - just like everyone in the above posts. But the better I got, the less I had to move around in a full cast :)

Some other points
- Get a rythym and stick to it. One bounce, two bounces what ever. Spinning the ball on your head will even do it, if that's what you're into but stick to the same rythym for every shot.

- Practice with your other hand behind your back. You should be able to shoot a foul shot without your off-hand. This not so handy for little tackers with small hands.

and as a general rule
- feet shoulder witdth apart
- the foot on the same side as your shooting hand should be just slightly infront
- release the ball at the peak of your movement from knees slightly bent to on the balls of your feet
- spread your fingers - dont have them bunched up
- Snap that wrist
- Balance the ball infront of your shooting arms shoulder.
- Your off hand should only be used (if at all) for guiding your shooting hand straight and not across your body.

Practise makes perfect - your goal should be getting yourself into a rythym where you can look at the ring once, close your eyes and well you know the rest - welcome to the nba kid!

Once you're happy with your style and foul shooting ability. Do this from the 3 point/point guard position with the exception of jumping with the shot and not finishing on the balls of your feet.


Happy for feedback about this post. Did I miss something or get something wrong and what did I say right?

-Q-
[/quote]

[kidbukid]

I agree that free throw shooting is more on the mental side! The distance doesn't change. I have a high % before I stopped playing.
For me its about imagining the ball arching and swooshing through the net just before I release it. It worked for me!
Just like a golfer imagining the ball dropping into the hole! Although practice makes perfect, mental practice is also important. So you can practice mentally anywhere (on the train, on your bed).... anywhere, especially just before taking your free shots. It goes also as well with general shooting. Mentally imagining the shot in game situations.

[luke2177]

I saw a guy the other night make 25 three's in a row going round the circle a la the NBA three point contest and his action looked w-e-i-r-d! Very high and very very effective obviously.
Which one was that? I remember Craig Hodges sinking about 19 in a row back in the early 90's, but I wasn't aware anyone sunk about 25 in a row! :shock:

[MAIN_MAN]

i've sunken 20 over in a row before.
I can sink 10 -15 without much problem....not to brag guys :P

[Stanley]

Ive got the worst looking shooting style, kind of Stephen Black mixed with a bit of Cameron Dickenson and a twist of Wayne Turner.

Its UGLY, but its really comfortable and its a really quick release and long range without much effor.

Last week it let me down, 0 pts. So i spent 3hrs a few days back shooting only between the 3 and half way. Last night it delivered 35pts with 8 threes.

So the motto is, if its comfortable keep it. and practise actually does help.

[Frosty]

Hi there
New to this website and think its great.
Not sure if you guys have seen this 71 year old who shot 2700 yes thats right 2700 free throws in a row, here is his technique

http://www.detnews.com/2000/pistons/000 ... 100066.htm (http://www.detnews.com/2000/pistons/0008/04/sports-100066.htm)

[Franklin]

Use the BEEF principle

Balance - get a good balance with your feet shoulder width apart and your toes pointing straight
Elbow - Make an "L" shape through your elbow - ie ball resting on your hand, forearm straight down and upper arm at right angles
Extension - Extend your arm with a fluid motion starting with bent knees straightening, torseau lifting and arm straightening
Follow through - Flick your wrist and reach into a cookie jar on your tip toes.

I use this with the 4-12 year olds.. except my second E is for eyes.



2nd E is for eyes? You eye your arm with a fluid motion... ? I don't get it ...

But seriously, rhythm is important. As is bending and flexing the knees. Not like Shaq who stands stiff legged and just flciks the ball. But I also recall someone (can't remember who) who used to do almost a full squat then rise and shoot- I can't see how you'd get good, smooth rhythm with that action. And T-Mac with his 2 bounces in front and one to the side? Don't like that either.

You should bounce to relax the body (and mind). But if you're doing drills, a good method is to do a line sprint to the halfway line between shots. That is, do a shot, run to the halfway line and back, do your next shot, run to halfway and back ect. This gets you used to shooting in a game situation where you've been running, not a practice situation where you're just taking your own sweet time and not huffing and puffing.

[Lemon Custard]

2nd E is for eyes? You eye your arm with a fluid motion... ? I don't get it ...

Umm.. no..

Eyes - keep your eyes on your target. What are you aiming for and where are you looking?

[Franklin]

2nd E is for eyes? You eye your arm with a fluid motion... ? I don't get it ...

Umm.. no..

Eyes - keep your eyes on your target. What are you aiming for and where are you looking?

I'm aiming to be a superstar but I'm just going to the Year 10 formal :wink:

[Steph]

Try not to think about too much because then you will be bound to forget at least one of the reminders in the short 5 seconds you have to shoot......

I think eyes are really important because research has shown that if you look at the basket longer before you shoot it then you have a higher chance of making the basket....

practice is all you need but at least at the start try and get the right technique then practice that because i doubt youd would want to shoot 300 bad technique shots...

i learnt how to shoot 3 pointers from free throws. i find if you do your normal free throw routine on the 3 point line then you get the right technique and then you can see how much more leg power you need, once you know how much you'll need then all you need is practice, it worked for me, i shoot 30 from 50 3's and thats without having to shoot 300 a day.

[Homer]

I think eyes are really important because research has shown that if you look at the basket longer before you shoot it then you have a higher chance of making the basket.....

Hey Steph, it's funny you say to look as long as possible at the ring because I don't look at the ring until I am releasing the ball and I shoot at about 85%, but I do practice a lot.

[Steph]

neither do i actually and i shoot about 85% but i think if you don't practice as much it would help you, im not sure i guess it depends how accurate and consistent your shot is....haha you stumped me

there's a technique i was taught ages ago to close my eyes when i shoot and i can make them as much as i make normal ones so i think u have an awesome point, i think practice is what makes the shot more accurate.

[barrybazza]

[quote="Franklin"]But I also recall someone (can't remember who) who used to do almost a full squat then rise and shoot- I can't see how you'd get good, smooth rhythm with that action. And T-Mac with his 2 bounces in front and one to the side? Don't like that either.

Jerry Stackhouse is someone who near bends himself in half at the line. I think he is quite capable of putting the ball on the floor at his lowest in the motion.

Talking of the sprint there and back and then taking a free throw, I used to feel a little shakey the free throw line especially during a physically tough game. My percentage has never been that bad but it was a matter of the routine was not always the same (start of game vs. end of game). especially when you factor in late game fatigue.

I ended up deciding i would start the the motion, bending down, touching the ball at my right knee (right handed) and then go through the shot. It essentially keeps my angles (shoulders, elbow, back, hands) where they should be and eliminates any lazy Shaq type all wrist shot (maybe not to that extent). As well as keeping the fundamentals in check I also find that regardless of how tired I am its still giving me (or making me feel like a stable and feathery type shot as opposed to a pie chuck.

[Coachpete]

Reminds me..........did anyone else see the absolute tool......i forget where he was from.....during the early rounds of the NCAA tournament. EVERY free throw he would kiss his hand,wrap the ball around his waist three times then bounce it 10 times before he shot. That was his routine. Now I don't care if he shot it at 99.9%....if he was on my team it would be "Listen knobhead, find a new routine or find the pine!"
I did count a few times and he was taking about 11 seconds each time he shot the ball......abolutely ridiculous!

[barrybazza]

NCAA's answer to Matthew Lloyd?

Jason Kidd blows the ring a kiss every freethrow too. flog.

:lol:

[Steph]

[quote="Coachpete"]Reminds me..........did anyone else see the absolute tool......i forget where he was from.....during the early rounds of the NCAA tournament. EVERY free throw he would kiss his hand,wrap the ball around his waist three times then bounce it 10 times before he shot.

Yes!! i saw that in the tournament, for as cool as i thought it was to see something original, i thought it was a bit over the top for such an elite game of basketball....But then again his percentage is 99% or whatever it was, you wonder what he would get with a normal routine.

[Da Houndawg #55]

Wouldn't you get a violation for that, you only get so long to shoot the thing. I've been told off about my routine.

you got a whole 10 secnods......

[Coachpete]

you got a whole 10 secnods......

actually the rule says 5 seconds.......couldn't believe he was allowed to get away with it

[Steph]

haha, we got posession once cause the shooter took too long, it was funny we were just kinda standing there waiting....watching....waiting then finally ref said she was taking so long.

Yeah, im not sure what the story was with the guy who did the holy wrap around routine, but when i watched it i didn't think it went for too long, and plus we have to remember that this guy has probably been doing this routine for a while and that he has grown used to it, and it's very hard to change a routine and go with it especially in a sweet sixteen tournie. and of course there's the possibility that everyone loved the routine and didn't m,ind having him take longer than 5 seconds cause it was fun to watch

i agree thoguh that in such an elitle level there should have been something happen........

[Wallitron]

Didn't Harold Miner have some sort of similar routine?

I always thought the rule was 8 seconds. I actually recall them timing Miner with him getting very close to the violation mark back in those days.

[Steph]

5 seconds isn't very long (just timed my routine and it's right on 5 seconds) and i have a pretty quick routine. I would think that 8 seconds would be mor accurate, i would think that the refs just call the violation when it goes for really long, after 10 seconds you would think that the violation would be considered...

Mmmm, ive seen some pretty crazy routines, i have no idea who harold miner dude is but just in general (nba, nbl, wnba, wnbl) you see some that are pretty different to the usual bounce and shoot. Also for as crazy as some are, heaps of them go for aggges!

you got a whole 10 secnods......

actually the rule says 5 seconds.......couldn't believe he was allowed to get away with it

Maybe over ehre.. but NCAA????
Im pretty sure its 10(or was recently...)

**waits for someone with nothing better to do, look it up just to prove em wrong...*

[Wallitron]

have no idea who harold miner dude is

He was the first "air apparent". You know, before the "Jordanesque" Tim Duncan, "MJ reincarnated" Grant Hill, Vince Carter, Penny Hardaway, Bryant and James. I think some Australian reporter even described Bogut as the air apparent, even if he was only talking about Australian basketball.

Miner's free throw antics in college are probably more memorable than anything he did in the NBA.

[Steph]

Awesome, thank you!! :D I take it he was big time!!

Section III-Time Limit

Each free throw attempt shall be made within 10 seconds after the ball has been placed at the disposal of the free thrower. That's for the NBA rules, I'm not sure how it goes for the other comps

http://www.basketball.com/nba/rules/rule9.shtml

[Skindog the Hawk]

FIBA Rules state you have 5 seconds from when the referee places the ball at your disposal.

SD.

[Franklin]

have no idea who harold miner dude is

He was the first "air apparent".

He was also "Baby Jordan"

[Franklin]

I think eyes are really important because research has shown that if you look at the basket longer before you shoot it then you have a higher chance of making the basket....



I don't know how important the eyes are. I'm short sighted and dont wear contacts or glasses when I play and I used to shoot a fair percentage of ftree throws. I just remembered where the ring was and how much energy I had to expend :D

[Steph]

yeah, as i said before i don't really look up longer myself. But the people who have had trouble shooting (or dont practice that much) would use it or have learnt about it at least.

I haven't seen people use it on the older players (14 and up) simply because most kids have a routine that works for them. I'd probably use it when a younger player is learning how to shoot or when kids first start out. As most of you have said, it doesn't really change much, but i have tried it in pressure situation and it has worked for me. Every one is different and it might and might not work for you.

thanks for the info on Harold Minor too!! :D

[Coachpete]

thanks for the info on Harold Minor too!!



Does anyone have any info on his brother......Morris

:lol:

[The Glove]

With free throw shooting etc...

Obviously Ive got no basketball coaching skills or expierence, and my perfered sport is cricket (Level 2 coach cert with that though.. )

Obviously when cricket coaching, you teach the players the basics in technique, in batting, bowloing etc. But does it get to a point like it would with us, where its not howb, but how many?!?

We can only coach and teach so far. If a player shoots free throws well, but not technically correct, or by the text book.. Are you guys as coaches tempted to try and alter or change his style to be more correct, or at a point figure its best to leave it and let him go..?

At what point and age would you do this. With cricket its all about runs of the board and wickets in the book. Players for example like Adamn Gilchrist are technically flawed whilst bating (and keeping for that matter) but you wouldnt change him for the world. Does that apply to some of you with basketball ?

[Coachpete]

With free throw shooting etc...

Obviously Ive got no basketball coaching skills or expierence, and my perfered sport is cricket (Level 2 coach cert with that though.. )

Obviously when cricket coaching, you teach the players the basics in technique, in batting, bowloing etc. But does it get to a point like it would with us, where its not howb, but how many?!?

We can only coach and teach so far. If a player shoots free throws well, but not technically correct, or by the text book.. Are you guys as coaches tempted to try and alter or change his style to be more correct, or at a point figure its best to leave it and let him go..?

At what point and age would you do this. With cricket its all about runs of the board and wickets in the book. Players for example like Adamn Gilchrist are technically flawed whilst bating (and keeping for that matter) but you wouldnt change him for the world. Does that apply to some of you with basketball ?

While they're still in juniors I'd try and get them to change if their style was radically different if they had ambitions of getting to the highest level. The reality is that players don't get selected at trials if they don't "conform". I know at least one player that got cut at State trials because the coach said they "couldn't shoot" This is a kid who averages about 16 a game at rep level but does have a very poor shooting style. The coach at State level doesn't get to see kids play every week so they need to make decisions at trials. It's in the kids best interests to try and get them as close to "normal" as possible

[Wallitron]

Personally my own shooting style has evolved over time. I wouldn't say it's now perfect now, but I saw constant improvement over my playing days. I don't think it's ever too late to make minor adjustments.

I find many kids that shoot poorly are using far too much off hand. This is mostly caused by them trying to shoot with a one handed action too far from the basket. If that's the case I would definitely correct it.

I look at players like MacKinnon and ponder if their coaching staff pays any attention to free throw shooting. This is a guy that shot 72% from the line in 1997, and 47% last year. His shooting action _must_ be flawed to shoot that poorly. I rekon 2 weeks with a shooting coach could solve this.

Australian cricket players often have to make major changes to their game. Gilchrist went through a very rough patch in form, being bowled around the wicket to the ball angling into off stump. That hasn't happened recently, so I assume he corrected it. Steve Waugh is another example of a massively changed game, eliminating hook and pull shots from his game almost completely. It's a bit different to the more repeatative skills used in basketball, but probably as close as it gets.

Hmm, i fixed one of our players.. well a quick fix.. took 45 seconds

he shot 43% ft last season.. is at about 67% i thnk this season...

maybe tweak it some more after the season.. give him a whole summer to get use to it, and hopefully shoot over 80%

[Franklin]

With free throw shooting etc...

Obviously Ive got no basketball coaching skills or expierence, and my perfered sport is cricket (Level 2 coach cert with that though.. )

Obviously when cricket coaching, you teach the players the basics in technique, in batting, bowloing etc. But does it get to a point like it would with us, where its not howb, but how many?!?

We can only coach and teach so far. If a player shoots free throws well, but not technically correct, or by the text book.. Are you guys as coaches tempted to try and alter or change his style to be more correct, or at a point figure its best to leave it and let him go..?

At what point and age would you do this. With cricket its all about runs of the board and wickets in the book. Players for example like Adamn Gilchrist are technically flawed whilst bating (and keeping for that matter) but you wouldnt change him for the world. Does that apply to some of you with basketball ?

It's never too late to learn (or relearn) if the proper technique can help improve as I found out when I did my coaching cert. I used to be a pretty reasonable free throw shooter in my prime :wink: but I used to shoot f/t with my feet in line at the f/t line. You see, I did learn from a teacher at school who actually shot f/t underarm! Anyway, when I did my coaching cert, Ted Weston picked on me to demonstrate a f/t . Naturally, I missed and Ted pciked holes in my technique and then showed us the "right" way to shoot. So I practiced that and it did feel ok, so I use it now. My f/t shooting is reasonable (not as reasonable as it was in my prime but, then, I'm not playing 2 or 3 times a week and don't train!

[The Glove]

the point im sort of trying to also make is.. if a player shoots 85% from the FT line, shoots 45% friom 3's etc, and his shot is ugly (ie: Troy Pilon's shot, Matt Nielson , if anyone can remember Fred Cofield sling shot from behind his head) would you still try and change it? Try and improve, or do you let them go with what is working for them ?

[Steph]

Good point, one of my coaches said to us at itc one day that "practice does make perfect, if you shoot the ball with the wrong technique 1000 times a day then it will work just as well as the good technique. That's why we break it down now for you so that you can practice the good technique"

if the player was out of juniors then i wouldn't worry too much about changing the technique.