Quiz the Coach - I Can't Shoot Foul Shots

Reviewed by Kidzworld on Dec 27, 2006

Rating:

Kidzworlds Quiz the Coach has advice on basketball, football, soccer, skateboading, sponsorship, P.E. teachers, cheerleading, coaches, the rules on other sports, as well as other fitness and sports stuff. - Page 9

So ya dig sports but need some help with your game? Don't understand some of the rules of football, basketball or soccer? Got a gripe about P.E. class, teammates or coaches, or anything? Why not ? The Kidzworld Coach can help ya work out team problems or give ya tips and advice to improve your game - all ya gotta do is ask!

Hey Coach,
I miss a vast amount of free-throws in my games. Could you give me some tips or drills on how to improve my free-throw shooting?
jonny09

Hey jonny09,

You're not alone in your free-throw shooting struggles. Even some of the NBA's biggest superstars, like Shaquille O'Neal, have problems making free throws. The team that makes the most free throws in a game often ends up winning, so it's an important skill to learn. Although free-throw shooting styles are different for each individual shooter, there are some tips that all players should follow to become better free-throw shooters.

Line the foot that corresponds with your shooting hand up with the nail that is nailed into the center of every free throw line in every gym, across North America. (If you're right handed, your left foot). This guarantees that your shot will be lined up with the rim. There are exceptions to this rule but most great free-throw shooters follow this tip.

Fix your eyes on the front of the rim. Do not use the back of the rim, or, even worse, the white square on the backboard as your point of focus. If you aim towards the front of the rim, your mind automatically tells you to shoot the ball at this point and there's a greater chance the ball will roll in. Even if you hit the front of the rim, if you have the spin on the ball - like shooters should have - the ball will roll into the basket.

Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. If you practice them enough, you will become a good free-throw shooter. Jerry Stackhouse of the Dallas Mavericks takes 100 free-throws every day and says he doesn't stop shooting until he's made 20 in a row.

If these tips don't help your free-throw shooting, you may want to try using the granny shot next time you go to the free-throw line.

Do you have a question on sports, P.E. class, fitness or health? to the Kidzworld Coach. Keep in mind peeps, the Kidzworld Coach isn't a doctor or a professional athlete or anything like that. He's just a dude who digs sports, plays 'em and knows a lot about 'em. You should always talk to your 'rents, a doctor or your school gym teacher before starting a new sport or a new exercise.

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