Practicing Free Throws

In the old days when I was playing at the end of practice my coach would have us all fill in the spots around the lane and take turns taking free throws.  Everyone had to make 5 to go home and we took them 2 at a time.  In hindsight this was not a bad way to practice free throws.  As in every other part of the game, it is important for a coach to try to simulate game conditions when your team shoots free throws.


With this in mind there are a few rules you should follow when your team practices free throws during practice:
  1. Only have each player shoot free throws 2 at a time.  This is what they will experience during a game.  Any more than 2 and they will be allowed to find a rhythm which is just not available during a game.  At times have them shoot only one free throw to simulate an "and one" situation.
  2. Have players fill in the spots around the lane and rebound.  this will allow the shooter to get used to this environment. 
  3. Have them shoot when they are fatigued.
  4. Shoot free throws when they are not expected.
  5. Ice a shooter by calling a simulated time out before a simulated key free throw.
  6. Chart all the free throws taken and shot and mark the time during practice they were taken.

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