A lawyer who has worked in areas such as energy acquisition, finance, and international business, Jonathan D. Strum appreciates a wide variety of activities in his spare time. Jonathan Strum particularly enjoys basketball, a fast-paced, high-intensity sport.
In basketball, free throws can add a significant number of points to a team’s total, and good free throw shooting should be a priority for coaches and players alike. Unlike other shots, which require good judgment, situational awareness, and fast reaction time, free throws require only a consistently solid movement. These tips can improve anyone’s free throw game.
Every court includes a dot in the middle of the foul line. Whether players straddle it or stand either directly on it or a foot to its right, they should rely on it as a reference point on every court for all of their free throws.
A routine for free throw shooting can also help. Whether it’s two quick dribbles, a gesture to the crowd, or a mental centering ritual, a routine breaks the tension of the game and puts the shooter in a foul-shooting mindset.
Nothing beats practice, however. Players should take the time to shoot free throws until they can do so successfully at least 70 percent of the time. Having the shot down to a science will help any shooter.
