The lost art of free throw shooting
- Thread starter acoustimac
- Start date
Wow, shooting free throws in practice, what a novel idea, I bet coach hoiberg never thought of that. Amazing how posters on here think free throw shooting is easy and teams should always make them. We have a decent ft shooting team, I agree with above posters, a team over 70% is damn good from the line.
I'm just saying basketball has been around for a lot of years and I've never seen a coach put a team on the floor every year that shoots 85% from the line. If it is teachable, I bet one would have done it by now.
If it wasn't hard to do then every team would shoot 75%. You really think coaches making millions of dollars and players devoting 60+ hours a week are neglecting a basic skill of the game? You could go out and make 100 free throw in a row in an empty gym and still miss the 2 you really need when you're tired and there's 14,000 people screaming at you.
I always think Hilton should make a little noise when our guys are at the line. It is a strange feeling when everyone is dead silent. Especially on technical or flagrant FT's when everyone is standing at half court. I only shot a few of those in my high school days, but they seemed way harder to make.
Even kitty fans are bemoaning the loss art of free throws.
Tuttle's heroics, Buss' big game not enough for UNI to upset Iowa State
Tuttle's heroics, Buss' big game not enough for UNI to upset Iowa State
If you are a bad free throw shooter you will generally remain a bad free throw shooter. It is possible to get better but to go from bad to really good is rare rare rare.
The exception that proves the rule is Chelsea Poppens who went from 63% to 65% to 71% to 84% which drew many comments about how NO ONE had seen someone improve like that. If it was just a matter of practice than this won't be so notable.
I do think style of play factors in. Seems like you will see half-court offense teams shoot better percentages (my take, didn't look this up in piles of stats). They are not going to be as gassed in a game. Related to that. I do like one practice technique that some coaches employ. They will stop a scrimmage in the middle of action and send someone to the line so at least the game-like fatigue can be practiced when shooting. Nice way to test your technique, muscle memory and concentration when dead *** tired.
If all else fails, go Rick Berry. :smile:
The exception that proves the rule is Chelsea Poppens who went from 63% to 65% to 71% to 84% which drew many comments about how NO ONE had seen someone improve like that. If it was just a matter of practice than this won't be so notable.
I do think style of play factors in. Seems like you will see half-court offense teams shoot better percentages (my take, didn't look this up in piles of stats). They are not going to be as gassed in a game. Related to that. I do like one practice technique that some coaches employ. They will stop a scrimmage in the middle of action and send someone to the line so at least the game-like fatigue can be practiced when shooting. Nice way to test your technique, muscle memory and concentration when dead *** tired.
If all else fails, go Rick Berry. :smile:
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Iowa State is shooting 69% from the free throw line. The starters and main role players who are shooting less than that are Hogue, Thomas, Long, and SDW.
Outside of Hogue (maybe), I think those guys will improve throughout the year. This thread doesn't need to be made after every close game.
Free throw shooting is just one of the many areas where the team could improve.
Outside of Hogue (maybe), I think those guys will improve throughout the year. This thread doesn't need to be made after every close game.
Free throw shooting is just one of the many areas where the team could improve.
I agree, but teaching can maximize a player's shooting potential. So maybe a player that would shoot 65% naturally could get to 75%, or something like that.
70% should be the minimum, for everybody. FT's just aren't practiced and emphasized as much at the lower levels these days. Kids want to be slashers or 3pt shooters. Nobody wants to take the time to practice something as boring as a FT. Iowa's one loss can be directly attributed to Marble's horrific FT shooting against 'Nova.
Personally, I don't think it is that hard at all. Granted if you are a 6'9" bruiser you usually aren't a good free throw shooter. But guards who shoot 40%+ from three? Not any reason they shouldn't shoot close to 80% from the line.
I love the "lost art" part. I don't know the research, but were teams shooting 85% back in the day or what? Too many old white dudes waxing nostalgic for the days of short shorts and tube socks.
I'm guessing free throw shooting hasn't changed a lot.
I'm guessing free throw shooting hasn't changed a lot.
Even better, this is the second thread on this topic this season.... by the same person no less.
http://cyclonefanatic.com/forum/mens-basketball/179507-free-throw-shooting.html
I would much rather be competitive with sub-par free throw shooting instead of getting blown out with good free throw shooting.
There are many skills that require practice in basketball and FT shooting is just one of them.
There are many skills that require practice in basketball and FT shooting is just one of them.
The only guy I question RE FT% is Hogue. He's not a good FT shooter (though he did much better this last game) and his form is atrocious with that weird little hitch he has. No one is going to confuse his normal jumpshot form with Ray Allen, but its a lot better than his FT form.
Anyone can shoot however they like if they make their FT's. But if its not working, at least force him to shoot with good form. What is there to lose?
Anyone can shoot however they like if they make their FT's. But if its not working, at least force him to shoot with good form. What is there to lose?
