How to Shoot a Free Throw in Basketball

Series Summary

Basketball, b-ball, hoops. These are all names for one of the most popular games in America: basketball. Whether it’s professional play in the NBA, college games, the local high school team, or a friendly round of one-on-one round, basketball is exciting and fast-paced, pitting player against player and skill against skill. Having strong fundamentals like dribbling, passing, and shooting are the keys to the success of any aspiring player or team. Though flashy dunks, trick shots and off the wall dribbling antics are fun to watch and have their place, they often create a “superstar” mentality that ultimately hurts the team if not put in check. What makes basketball great is the combination of individual talent and team strategy, producing a match that’s sure to keep spectators on edge. In this free video series, a basketball coach demonstrates a number of basketball skills and provides tips for playing basketball offense, defense and games. Discover how to shoot a free throw, how to make layups, how to take a charge and how to throw a chest pass. Next, take these skills to the court to play 21 or run the zone 2-1-2 defense. Become a better all-around basketball player with these tips!

Video Transcript

"Hey, coach Rudy here. Let's talk about free throws, one of the most important parts of the game, and the fundamental package, shooting free throws very, very important late in the game. You have to make free throws if you're going to win championships. It's basically up to the individual player to establish a routine, alright. First thing is get to the line, get comfortable there, maybe bend your knees a little bit, or that kind of thing. Bounce the ball the same number of times, every time. Spin it, turn it, twist it, whatever you want to do with the ball. Make sure you do the same thing every time. Once you're done with that part of the routine, your focusing on the rim, just over the front of the rim, or just in front of the back of the rim, alright. Bend the knees, take a deep breath, exhale, get all the extra energy out. Bend the knees, elbows in, follow through, in the hole. That's how you shoot a free throw."