How to Shoot a Basketball Free Throw

The free throw is a lost art in basketball. Overall, free throw shooting at every level of play has seen a precipitous drop in proficiency over the past few decades. Players lack a fundamental base to their games and often ignore the free throw as a valuable weapon in their offensive arsenal.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Establish Proper Positioning

1. Step to the free throw line.

2. Position both feet behind the free throw line.

3. Make sure the shooter is standing directly in front of the basket.

4. Place both feet straight toward the basket when shooting the free throw. Do not angle either foot to the left or the right.

5. Spread the free throw stance so that the feet are shoulder width apart.

Use Proper Shooting Technique

6. Cradle the basketball in the shooting hand first.

7. Bring the off-hand to the basketball to provide support for the shot.

8. Situate the basketball in the shooting so that the basketball is resting on the fingers and is not touching the palm of the hand.

9. Bend the knees and at the same time raise the basketball straight up so that it almost touches the shooters face.

10. Keep the elbows tucked inside of the body frame. Do not allow the elbows to point anywhere but down when shooting the free throw.

11. Release the off-hand as you reach the top of the free throw shot.

12. Take the shot with the shooting hand. Bend the wrist back until it is perpendicular to the floor. Then release the basketball with the ball not touching the palm.

Finish Correctly

13. Follow through on the shot.

14. Make sure to keep the hands in the release position well after the free is shot.

15. Stay positioned on the free throw line. Do not walk away from the free line until the shot is at or near the rim.

Tips & Warnings

• A great tip for free throw shooting is to act as if the shooter is trying to grab something on a high shelf without lifting their feet.

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