October 08, 2024

All About Free Throws

1 hour 2 minutes

Dive into the art and science of free throw shooting with Coach Dave Love in this detailed episode. We explore various facets of free throw shooting, emphasizing techniques and strategies that can significantly enhance performance from the free throw line.

Episode Highlights:

Lining Up on the Nail: Coach Love clarifies the common misconception about lining up the body with the rim, emphasizing the importance of aligning the ball instead. While often overemphasized, understanding this alignment can help maintain focus on what truly matters in free throw shooting.

Mental and Physical Routines: The discussion highlights the significance of established routines at the line, which help players stay present and avoid negative thoughts, thus enhancing focus and execution under pressure.

The Thinking Box: Introducing the concept of the 'Thinking Box', where players are encouraged to engage in mechanical thinking away from the line but shift to action-oriented thinking once they step to the line—enhancing mental clarity and readiness.

Taking Control at the Line: Coach Love discusses the importance of ownership and control during free throw attempts, including how to handle interruptions and maintain composure during critical moments.

Practicing Pairs Plus Blocks: The episode covers how to structure practice to mimic game situations, blending the need for volume in repetitions with the realism of game pressure.

Variety in Free Throw Shooting: Finally, we discuss introducing variability in practice, such as using different basketballs, rims, or environmental conditions, to prepare players for any situation they might encounter during games.

This episode is packed with practical advice, from foundational techniques to advanced strategies, ensuring that coaches and players alike can refine their approach to free throw shooting and achieve consistency and confidence at the line.

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By NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love