Why do we struggle so much at FT's?

[Fanatic1973]

I was flipping channels a couple of weeks ago. Saw an interview with several players that were the worst free throw shooters in the nation that became the best in the nation in less than a year. I think it was Washington U (not sure). When asked how they collectively became the best their answer was: "We practiced". Go figure.

I just don't understand. We used to be one of the best free-throw shooting teams in the Big XII. We had several players that were almost automatic. Beyond Morris, Long and Thomas, it is hit and miss. We need to spend more time practicing free-throws to get better. Would also help to have good free-throw shooters handling the ball when we know they are going to foul.

 

[Yellow Snow]

Yeah, it's funny how you can shoot thousands of free throws, yet that first free throw can make you feel like your in an unfamiliar place. This is why I think shooting 100 FTs in a row, or even in groups if 10 isn't really that productive. I think it's better to practice shooting 1-2 free throws with a high heart rate ten different times rather than shoot 10-20 in a row.

My high school coach used to add pressure to the situation as well.

We'd run several ladders at the end of practice (normal pretty much everywhere), and then he'd bark out a name. That guy got a 1 and 1 to end practice by making both. If he missed one of the two, we were all back on the line to run. Then he'd call out a different name... make both and practice is over, etc.

Usually he'd start out picking scrubs to shoot so we'd get our end of practice running in, and when he wanted to end practice he'd pick a starter. Even more pressure on that guy because the team was already pissed a few bench guys missed.

Anyway - highlight of my scrub basketball career was banking two in and walking off the court after only one wind sprint. Hahaha...