tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8213298060389132689.post-76183337181446203762007-06-01T11:07:00.000-07:002007-07-11T19:02:59.689-07:00When preparing to shoot a free throw, it is important to focus on three things before even attempting to take the shot: Position, Your Routine and Focus.<br /><br />Position:<br />On most official basketball courts, there is a point on the free throw line that signifies the exact 15 foot mark from the center of the rim. In most cases, its a small hole on the line where a nail was used to measure the center of the free throw line to the center of the rim. When setting up on the line, you should use this point to help you position yourself on the line. In order to shoot the same shot everytime, it would be best setup your shot on the same spot everytime.<br /><br />Routine:<br />The one thing free throw coaches or shooting coaches have players do in order to improve their free throw percentage is to come up with a routine. Perfecting your shot is simply a matter of consistency, in other words, try to shoot your shot the same way every time. This is the reason coaches have players come up with a free throw routine in order to help the player shoot the same shot everytime. If you watch players in the NBA or college, you will see that different players have different routines. Jason Kidd actually blows a kiss to the basketb every time he steps to the line. Here is a video of Jason Kidd's free throw routine:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8BDI7uM1AxA"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8BDI7uM1AxA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Focus:<br />When working on free throws with my players, the one thing I always emphasize to them before they actually shoot the ball is to find the target. What I mean by target is the place on the rim to aim for. For instance, let's say the player chooses the front of the rim as their target, then they should think to themselves as they look at the basket to aim the ball just beyond the front of the rim. If they choose the back of the rim as their target, then the goal is to shoot the ball just in front of that target. If you step into your free throw without a mental objective, than your shot will be dependent on what you think about each time. If your mental objective is the same everytime, than it minimizes the variation that can come into play on your shot.<br /><br />Here is a clip from Eddie Johnson that summarizes a lot of these topics as well.<br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8IseUUoBuw4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8IseUUoBuw4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Here is another video that summarizes these three points. In the video, JJ Reddick, one of the greatest free throw shooters in college history, summarizes these points.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3qcmakzMawc"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3qcmakzMawc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Once you have established your free throw shot, it is important to practice as much as possible. I have experienced a number of games where free throw shooting was the difference in the game, so don't let free throws ruin the outcome of your games.lakeshowdawghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03396525825276193251noreply@blogger.com