How Does an NBA Player Get So Good at Shooting Free Throws?
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Exercise
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Free-throw shooting requires physical conditioning of the arms and legs. Basketball players need to constantly condition themselves to stay in top shape to play basketball. As a result, performing the repeated mechanics of shooting a free throw becomes second nature to a player. Strong legs and arms are a must for shooting basketball. Aerobic exercise is absolutely necessary to allow a player to travel the length of the basketball court multiple times without being winded.
Shooting baskets requires strength in the arms. NBA players lift weighs regularly to strengthen their arms in addition to regularly stretching to keep their full range of motion. Playing basketball also requires strong legs so players do strength training in addition to cardio workouts. When the arms and legs are strong, the mechanics of shooting a free-throw becomes a matter of mechanical precision.
Ritual
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Many NBA players (and college players too) have a ritual that is performed before every free throw shot. Some spin the ball in their fingertips or bounce the ball three times before lining up for their shot. All good players have a routine that they perform that is identical every time they reach the foul line. Free throws are simply the player, the basketball, and the basket. It's a mental exercise, and the best NBA shooters are those that have mastered the mechanics of shooting a free throw.
Skilled free throw shooters will line their leading foot at the foul line in direct alignment with the center of the basket. They'll perform their ritual bounce, spin, or move and then palm the ball with their leading hand. Their other hand will support the weight on the side of the ball. Bending slightly from the knee, the player will bend his arm to toss the ball towards the basket. They key is doing these moves exactly the same way every time. Once a player establishes a routine that works, it's simply a matter of perfecting it with constant practice.
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Practice
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The key to success with shooting free throws lies in the amount of regular practice a player undertakes each day. Free throws aren't a given. NBA players won't make them unless they practice. Most players practice shooting free throws at least 10 minutes a day. The best practice more and it shows. The NBA has an overall free throw percentage of 73 percent. While this is respectable, it's a number that should be looked at closely. Many games are decided on the weight of a last second, buzzer-beater free throw.
Free throws are all about mechanics. The shot itself is a very predictable part of basketball. Free throws are always worth one point, and the foul line is exactly 15 feet from the basket. These unopposed shots are extremely important in the scheme of a basketball game. Missing a foul shot early in the game can come back to haunt a team in the game's final minutes.
Practice amounts to success. The more that a player practices, the more proficient he becomes at shooting what really amounts to a gravy point for his team. Sometimes, the free throw shot happens in a high-pressure situation. Opponent's crowds might be loud, the player might be tired, or the game might be on the line. For all of these reasons, a player who is skilled at his particular ritual and who has practiced free throws daily tends to have the most success.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Reisio
