New Man's 'How-To' Guide - New Man eMagazine

New Man’s ‘How-To’ Guide

How to Sink a Free Throw

Anyone can learn to sink a free throw, but if you’ve watched any of the NBA, you know that not everyone is willing to learn and practice the proper technique. Rick Barry was one of the best free-throw shooters in NBA history. He shot the ball granny style, like Ollie in Hoosiers, and hit almost 95 percent of his free throws during his career. How sweet is that? They key is to find a form you are comfortable with and repeat that form over and over. The more repetition, the easier it becomes. Here are the basics:

Stand at the free-throw line with your feet shoulder-width apart and parallel to each other, both feet pointing toward the basket.
Literally cradle and support the ball with your non-shooting hand. Place the fingertips of your shooting hand on the seams of the ball, with your thumb and palm acting as supports.
Keeping your shooting forearm straight (avoid tilting it side to side), raise the ball slightly above your chest.
Aim for a target just above the rim, and try not to shoot the ball short. A good target is the back of the rim (where it meets the backboard).
Bend your knees. An accurate shot doesn’t rely on arm strength; it uses leg strength to propel the ball upward.
In one fluid motion, shoot the ball, uncoiling from your knees through your arm, releasing the ball with your fingertips. You want to create a soft arc with the shot and put backspin on it by using your fingertips. Follow through by bending your shooting hand forward, as if you’re reaching for the rim (like reaching into a cookie jar).

The truth about free throws is that they’re all about repetition and concentration. Think about it. You’re only 15 feet away from the rim that’s only 10 feet off the ground. The circumference of the rim is double the size of the basketball. How hard can it really be? Not hard at all—unless you’re Shaquille O’Neal. But we’ll extend the guy some grace. (If you wanna know what it’s like for Shaq, trying shooting a tennis ball. That’s how big the guy’s hands are.)