I've been playing basketball for 12 years, I can nail 3s, mids whatever, but not free throws...until yesterday. It took me 12 years of experimenting to find my form. I don't miss now, like, at all. I'm a guard so I tried imitating the form of elite NBA point guards because I couldn't get results with my own form at the line. This didn't work, until one day I was just shooting around taking some silly shots and I jokingly tried to imitate the form of my favourite player, Nikola Jokic. It was amazing, I made my first 18 free throws, something I could never sniff before. I don't know, something about this form was built for me, and I wanted to share this bizarre story. I learned that bad free throw shooters don't exist, they just haven't found their form yet.
I found that the mind game is also important in shooting free throw. I have coached some horrible free throw shooters before. The first thing I tell them is to visualize how the ball is being shot, how he should move his hands, his body and the whole shooting mechanics before shooting the ball. This apparently helped in improving their free throw... of course the shooting form is important. But with shooters that have the right form but still missing during game, the problem is mental more than mechanics.
Hi coach! I just want to share my free throw techniques here. For the past 5 years I've been shooting my shots with he ball right in front of my head, and while I was a very good shooter, I struggled with free throws that way due to the inability to jump on my shot. I also didn't have enough arc on my shot and I don't follow the flight of the ball. However when I put my hand a little to the side of my face, I was able to shoot with a form similar to Klay Thompson's and it was way easier for me to get enough arc. Now I only shoot with this traditional side form with 3 pointers because I am not strong/tall enough to shoot with with my normal form behind nba 3 point lines. I also rarely miss free throws this way.
I think the aspect of psychology was not covered well. Pro Shot Shooting recommended to think about the mechanics all the time. They cover the mechanics in depth as well. Pro Shot Shooting really is the way to go. Every other shooting advice like this seems to lack compared to them.
+Khali Williams actually that is what I meant by tip toe. it actually is the balls of my feet and not my tip toes. since I'm from Detroit I noticed that Drummond stands totally flatfoot during his shots. I'm willing to bet that if he lifted to the balls of his feet he would see at least a 20% uptick. I know when I finally noticed the difference the shot percentage was drastically changed. and I'm not even a serious player. I was just out shooting around one day and had a free throw shooting contest (no money involved). it seems like Jordan and Drummond don't even try to tweak their mechanics.
Outstanding, Great Stuff. Been teaching this way for years and glad too see a member of the one of the best basketball families demo this. Being a ProShot fan and teacher of those mechanics, this is awesome!!!
Started doing this a while ago and it's a lot more consistent. It kind of makes sense to teach it the other way initially, just because you can focus on the form a lot better, but at some point you have tto take the next step.
Thanks for this video. I've always been a good mid-range shooter, and hitting from the line has been a sweet spot. I've never been a good free throw shooter though. I never really noticed until watching this that I position my feet incorrectly when setting for free throws. When I get a chance I'll work on it and see if I make improvements.
Thanks so much!!! I'm a shooting guard I could drive and shoot very well, but can't hit free throws. My coach on my school team makes me shoot a hundred a day and right after this video my average went up wonders. In these few days my average of the past 6 days is 84 percent, coming from a 64 percent. In games I'm hitting them now.
The only issue is that it would be hard for your team to grab the rebound on it as it either goes out or lightly off the rim to the guy on the low post (which is an opponent)
still don't get why guys like Drummond,howard etc can't learn to make their free throws,considering how long they've been playing the game and the resources available to them.I guess I've underestimated the mental part of it,but just weird how these guys get paid a lot of money but don't show improvement year to year.
It's not that. The reason they're bad is because they're just too strong. Many big men can't shoot because they over do it. They can't make that precision accuracy, but there is definitely some work ethic issues.
Hi Coach Nick and Scooter, do you also endorse the "Steve Nash" free throw warmup shot without the ball as taught by Fake Fundamentals Brian McCormick? Very interesting insight into the differences between the first and the second free throw.
stop that. How you call someone sell out that deliveres amazing informations, tons of analysis and stuff others don't even think about for free? name one place where you can find better data for less money. Exactly, this is already free, so you won't. Have you ever thought about how much time it takes to make these videos?! and you call someone a sellout that dosen´t even have a product name or link in the video. keep it up Coach!
Coach, what impact do you think the size of your hand has on shooting free throws or just shooting in general? I find that when i practice the ball tends to slide off different positions on my finger tips... creating a great deal of inconsistency. I feel like if i had Kawai Leonard hands it would make shooting/life so much easier. Thoughts?
Secondly, what kind of finger formation would you advise? Ive watched a ton of videos, all kind of suggesting a "Y" formation, using your index and middle finger to control the path of the ball as you're flicking your wrist. But then others have found success with a "W" type formation, using more the ring and middle finger to direct while the index becomes more of a supporting finger. Sorry we're getting into the finite details here. Forgive me if this is a irrelevant!
+Ali Golding I believe the index finger is most important. I've also heard all sorts of things about hand placement on the ball itself. If you use the index finger, then it makes sense to me to have that finger aligned to middle of the ball. For fun, try this: tuck your ring and pinkie fingers in and just shoot with thumb, index and middle finger. See if that even changes anything...
Awesome!! Thanks for the response :) Will give that a try and see if I can gain any strides in the consistency department (y) Love the videos and analysis by the way. Looking forward to another NBA season - Keep it up! Shoutout from Cape Town, South Africa !
if it's that important to sync your legs up with your shooting arm when shooting free throws, you would think some of these companies would also invent a knee sleeve with lights on it to go with that special shooting sleeve. also, since scooter is a barry, i expected him at some point in the video to explain how to shoot underhanded like rick barry.
Hey Coach! sorry for posting the question here but please allow me. :) How does NBA manage the game time? with news of Tim Duncan retiring, videos of D. Fisher's 0.4 seconds game winning shot surfaces as well. So in situations where only milliseconds remaining in game time, how is this critical aspect of the game addressed? thanks a lot!
but how about Derek Fisher? adding 0.1 seems nothing marginally from tipping the ball with 0.3 secs vs. Receiving the ball, half-turning, and lifting the ball, and ultimately shooting it.
i shoot a 2 motion shot so forcing myself to not jump during a 1 motion free throw feels weird, like its not fluid. i used to be an 80% ft shooter but then i realized that my FT form had a lower set point than my normal jumpshot because i was making myself shoot quicker so im trying to change it but its weird
You don't have to start really low by your feet necessarily. Look up Ellena delle donne's free throw. She brings it up, pauses and then shoots with 93% highest out of all pros!
can someone give me some tips or link a video for free throws because I have always been a great mid range shooter but I miss every single free throw although my coach says that I did everything right
+LongJohn Silverthorne stop making excuses.... also he doesnt weigh 300 let alone "well over"... at most hes probly 245 since he lost weight from his heat days
+LongJohn Silverthorne It doesn't matter how strong you are. You really think the human body can't adapt to that? If he leaned back a bit he would relax his shoulder and have less power on his shot. That's the problem right? he's too strong apparently?
Someone please figure out how many is too many shots. when do u start to not be effective out there. Sometimes I feel that less can be more with that flo state psych stuff
I think -- hear me out -- I think this is a "video response" to the new NBA ruling about the Hack-A-Shaq, and a silent, strong message to the NBA players who have very low free throw %. Kinda like a sandpaper reminder that, it's their flaw for not making free throws, and this is a tutorial for them to learn from so that they can work on it.
I have a great idea What about a World Cup of basketball free throws Like a penalty shoot out with 5 players each Take a penalty shoot out style game Many teams play in an event in the same day Multiple teams play each other on the same day Internationals or club sides Held over a day or two days in a group stage trophy with the best teams qualifying for a play off round then a final It would be cool😎👍
Just curious: Why no likes/dislikes/comments on the Aaron Gordon video? Was it sponsored content (ZTE)? Did viewers object to that? Although parts of the interview did kinda seem a bit pre-screened/scripted, I thought it was a solid interview... and it really wasn't trying to sell me anything... 🤔
+BBALLBREAKDOWN interesting: they didn't show up on mobile the first couple times I loaded the video. Now they're there though! I'm gonna go add a like to the pile ✌🏼
I've been playing basketball for 12 years, I can nail 3s, mids whatever, but not free throws...until yesterday. It took me 12 years of experimenting to find my form. I don't miss now, like, at all. I'm a guard so I tried imitating the form of elite NBA point guards because I couldn't get results with my own form at the line. This didn't work, until one day I was just shooting around taking some silly shots and I jokingly tried to imitate the form of my favourite player, Nikola Jokic. It was amazing, I made my first 18 free throws, something I could never sniff before. I don't know, something about this form was built for me, and I wanted to share this bizarre story. I learned that bad free throw shooters don't exist, they just haven't found their form yet.
Chauncey Trillups I gotta try that
Chauncey Trillups LoL I started 2 weeks ago and I have like 60/100 for free throw shots lol I can nail 3’s to I’m 11 btw
I got a good middy but no free throw and 3
Markelle Fultz' shooting sleeve self-destructs after twelve shots.
5:07 nice layup on the background court there.
I found that the mind game is also important in shooting free throw. I have coached some horrible free throw shooters before. The first thing I tell them is to visualize how the ball is being shot, how he should move his hands, his body and the whole shooting mechanics before shooting the ball. This apparently helped in improving their free throw... of course the shooting form is important. But with shooters that have the right form but still missing during game, the problem is mental more than mechanics.
this dude sounds like he ate Bill Simmons for breakfast
lmfao
hahaaaaaa
so it's not just me. .. good
Hahaha
You ain't right ! 😂😆😆😂
After watching this I'm now the best free throw shooter EVER. Thanks coach!!
(Great vid btw nick)
...
+eduardo serrano awesome!
Oh yeah yeah
Is that zlatan with a 360 lay up at 5:08
sure is XD
Drummond and Jordan need that sleeve ASP
tru
No rondo needs it the most
you read my thoughts...
+Seb Fi (Taco) Drummond needs it way more
Also Dwight Howard...
5:22 "three dribbles"
does 2 dribbles
no secret coach. it just 300 free throws everyday consistently. same form. 5 days a week.
the only place i've played basketball is in 2k... dont know what am doing here
still subscribed though
Lol
Beware of playing real Bball, you might injure yourself
Thank you so much my free throws have dropped like 10-20% this is gonna be super helpful
+dizziedylan keep me updated!
+BBALLBREAKDOWN shut d fuck up
+Joriz Sarmiento get the fuck out stop hating boi
+Boyd Robertson puta edi wow
@@bballbreakdown still using this video after 5 years
Hi coach! I just want to share my free throw techniques here. For the past 5 years I've been shooting my shots with he ball right in front of my head, and while I was a very good shooter, I struggled with free throws that way due to the inability to jump on my shot. I also didn't have enough arc on my shot and I don't follow the flight of the ball. However when I put my hand a little to the side of my face, I was able to shoot with a form similar to Klay Thompson's and it was way easier for me to get enough arc. Now I only shoot with this traditional side form with 3 pointers because I am not strong/tall enough to shoot with with my normal form behind nba 3 point lines. I also rarely miss free throws this way.
I think the aspect of psychology was not covered well. Pro Shot Shooting recommended to think about the mechanics all the time. They cover the mechanics in depth as well. Pro Shot Shooting really is the way to go. Every other shooting advice like this seems to lack compared to them.
I noticed that when I stand on my tip toes a little bit my free throws are much more accurate.
+Khali Williams actually that is what I meant by tip toe. it actually is the balls of my feet and not my tip toes. since I'm from Detroit I noticed that Drummond stands totally flatfoot during his shots. I'm willing to bet that if he lifted to the balls of his feet he would see at least a 20% uptick. I know when I finally noticed the difference the shot percentage was drastically changed. and I'm not even a serious player. I was just out shooting around one day and had a free throw shooting contest (no money involved).
it seems like Jordan and Drummond don't even try to tweak their mechanics.
hyperarch
JaMario Fantasia what are you talking about
+ThePrufessa yeah thats definitely a solid observation, shooting flat footed is really calling for inconsistency.
Look it up. That's what Khali Williams is talking about.
anyone else watching the kids in the background?
yes lmao
I was lookin' at them chairs bruh
QQ
That's the guy from i love basketball
Yuh
I play basketball a lot and I can see how this sleeve can be very helpful
+Lin He awesome.
Outstanding, Great Stuff. Been teaching this way for years and glad too see a member of the one of the best basketball families demo this. Being a ProShot fan and teacher of those mechanics, this is awesome!!!
And this coach, is WHAT THEY NEED!!!
Started doing this a while ago and it's a lot more consistent. It kind of makes sense to teach it the other way initially, just because you can focus on the form a lot better, but at some point you have tto take the next step.
+tormentor91 I hear ya, if that works for you.
Damn , beautiful courts. Wish we had something like this in Guatemala :(
Thanks for this video. I've always been a good mid-range shooter, and hitting from the line has been a sweet spot. I've never been a good free throw shooter though. I never really noticed until watching this that I position my feet incorrectly when setting for free throws. When I get a chance I'll work on it and see if I make improvements.
+theheebs100 keep me updated!
Any improvement?
life has been busy. moved to other side of the world, got married, started a new job. think I will have a chance to play some this weekend though
happy for you man
Thanks so much!!! I'm a shooting guard I could drive and shoot very well, but can't hit free throws. My coach on my school team makes me shoot a hundred a day and right after this video my average went up wonders. In these few days my average of the past 6 days is 84 percent, coming from a 64 percent. In games I'm hitting them now.
Wouldn't granny style free throws be one of the best methods
lol. At first I didn't get it, then remembered that his dad shot free throws like that.
Natnael Tilaye it is tho, why was rick Barry the third over free throw shooter
The only issue is that it would be hard for your team to grab the rebound on it as it either goes out or lightly off the rim to the guy on the low post (which is an opponent)
Only Rick Barry could pull that off
The secret is to shoot free throws like Rick Barry! He shot 89% free throws using underhand
Nahhhh steph curry
This channel is actually amazing
+Conor Fisher thanks!!
Joakin Noah should Watch this video
Great video coach nick!
can you please do some more history of the nba videos? maybe 1974 celtics - suns triple overtime game?
+Senna Parish thanks! And I've got this game all set... Stay tuned!
Great video coach
+Boris Gjotev thanks!
+BBALLBREAKDOWN and i put these little details in my free throw,thansk
still don't get why guys like Drummond,howard etc can't learn to make their free throws,considering how long they've been playing the game and the resources available to them.I guess I've underestimated the mental part of it,but just weird how these guys get paid a lot of money but don't show improvement year to year.
It's not that. The reason they're bad is because they're just too strong. Many big men can't shoot because they over do it. They can't make that precision accuracy, but there is definitely some work ethic issues.
Dwight has improved his shooting amazingly this offseason, he should make around 70%.
Adrian Grant Dwight has always been good in practice but chokes up in game time pressure
Ziamangry those guys are lazy,i remember Lebron when he has a bad free throw night,he always works on it that night and shoots better the next game.
Chaos or Anarchy
He's worked on his form, mindset and free throw routine.
Not me watching a basketball video for virtual school when I don't even know how to dribble
Skips to the end to see if hes in.
Sweet kicks coach!
+TheAFKGamer 👍🏀👊
Watch and learn shaq
Good video.
2019 anyone?
where is that gym at????
Can he do the Rick Barry overhand free-throw lol
new look bulls breakdown please!
Does this also help with regular shots, like 3pt shot?
+Greatness Demands Everything the rhythm we talked about absolutely is crucial to 3 point shots.
Someone tell DJ about this channel
can we buy these
Hi Coach Nick and Scooter, do you also endorse the "Steve Nash" free throw warmup shot without the ball as taught by Fake Fundamentals Brian McCormick? Very interesting insight into the differences between the first and the second free throw.
+Stever Liu I like that too!
5:50 hey coach hate to break it to you but curry flops his wrist like that.. not quite as exaggerated tho
He has ugly form
This is just an add for that sleeve thing
+Jordy Lont nope. Tons of important information here.
+BBALLBREAKDOWN sellout
stop that. How you call someone sell out that deliveres amazing informations, tons of analysis and stuff others don't even think about for free? name one place where you can find better data for less money. Exactly, this is already free, so you won't. Have you ever thought about how much time it takes to make these videos?! and you call someone a sellout that dosen´t even have a product name or link in the video.
keep it up Coach!
Im waitin for the day coach goes "You In?" and one of his guest say "Nah b"
what are those points on his arm sleeve?
Coach, what impact do you think the size of your hand has on shooting free throws or just shooting in general? I find that when i practice the ball tends to slide off different positions on my finger tips... creating a great deal of inconsistency. I feel like if i had Kawai Leonard hands it would make shooting/life so much easier. Thoughts?
Secondly, what kind of finger formation would you advise? Ive watched a ton of videos, all kind of suggesting a "Y" formation, using your index and middle finger to control the path of the ball as you're flicking your wrist. But then others have found success with a "W" type formation, using more the ring and middle finger to direct while the index becomes more of a supporting finger.
Sorry we're getting into the finite details here. Forgive me if this is a irrelevant!
+Ali Golding I don't think it matters. With good practice, your hand can figure out how to get a consistent release regardless of size.
+Ali Golding I believe the index finger is most important. I've also heard all sorts of things about hand placement on the ball itself. If you use the index finger, then it makes sense to me to have that finger aligned to middle of the ball. For fun, try this: tuck your ring and pinkie fingers in and just shoot with thumb, index and middle finger. See if that even changes anything...
Awesome!! Thanks for the response :) Will give that a try and see if I can gain any strides in the consistency department (y)
Love the videos and analysis by the way. Looking forward to another NBA season - Keep it up!
Shoutout from Cape Town, South Africa !
I'm already a pretty good free throw shooter, but I want to get better. Hopefully this video can help!
+SplashBrosv2 I was a really good ft shooter and I did it 2 motion. When I adjusted to 1 Motion, I still make them but it's SO much easier!
if it's that important to sync your legs up with your shooting arm when shooting free throws, you would think some of these companies would also invent a knee sleeve with lights on it to go with that special shooting sleeve.
also, since scooter is a barry, i expected him at some point in the video to explain how to shoot underhanded like rick barry.
+ReCharredSigh that is interesting. I think it can measure vertical distance moved, which would get the knee bend. I'll pass this along.
well NBA players won't need to worry because NBA took away hack a shaq
No, they didnt. Teams are still gonna be able to do it for the First 10 minutes of each quarter
Hey Coach! sorry for posting the question here but please allow me. :)
How does NBA manage the game time? with news of Tim Duncan retiring, videos of D. Fisher's 0.4 seconds game winning shot surfaces as well. So in situations where only milliseconds remaining in game time, how is this critical aspect of the game addressed? thanks a lot!
+Lyan Villacorta if there are less than 0.3 secs on clock, you cannot do anything but tip the ball
but how about Derek Fisher? adding 0.1 seems nothing marginally from tipping the ball with 0.3 secs vs. Receiving the ball, half-turning, and lifting the ball, and ultimately shooting it.
How much
i shoot a 2 motion shot so forcing myself to not jump during a 1 motion free throw feels weird, like its not fluid. i used to be an 80% ft shooter but then i realized that my FT form had a lower set point than my normal jumpshot because i was making myself shoot quicker so im trying to change it but its weird
You don't have to start really low by your feet necessarily. Look up Ellena delle donne's free throw. She brings it up, pauses and then shoots with 93% highest out of all pros!
hey coach can you do a vid on milfs
Someone should link Deandre Jordan and Drummond
can someone give me some tips or link a video for free throws because I have always been a great mid range shooter but I miss every single free throw although my coach says that I did everything right
also I am a 12 year old kid and I jump a little bit on free throws
I would love to just watch a 7 minute video of this guy shooting fts over and over again.
Should have had his dad there. He knows the REAL solid shot from the free throw line! But I guess Solid Shot and Dot Shot would be competitors...
Lebron Need to watch this bballbreakdown video (I'm a Lbj fan)
Lebron is 6'8 and benches well over 300 pounds. That is why his percentage is not high, not becuase he doesn't practice.
+LongJohn Silverthorne nooooooo I didn't know he just has magical basketball powers. it was obviously a joke
+LongJohn Silverthorne stop making excuses.... also he doesnt weigh 300 let alone "well over"... at most hes probly 245 since he lost weight from his heat days
+LongJohn Silverthorne It doesn't matter how strong you are. You really think the human body can't adapt to that? If he leaned back a bit he would relax his shoulder and have less power on his shot. That's the problem right? he's too strong apparently?
+Beast Buns he put on his Instagram a couple months ago he weighs 260. No way he weighs at most 245 have you seen his body?
They at Jordan rec
NBA doesn't need this anymore. They just set new rules to favor the bad free throw shooters.
Elena Delle Donne is the best free throw shooter in basketball and she has a long pause while holding the "L".
The most important thing with free throws is to stay calm
man i was just thinking about the idea of developing a shooting sleeve like this lmao man just ruined my dreams lol
2:55 seems device liked the bad shooting form
Skip to 5:06 look at the background. Guy makes a contested spinning layup... Don't ask me how I noticed that.
please send one to Andre Drummond. for the whole state of michigan
good vid
there is no secret lmao just fuckin practice and make the same movement so its built into your Movement memory
Pretty sweet.
well i need that!
I heard this segment on the radio that claimed shooting free throws underhanded was more effective?!?
+Life is a Dream I agree! I've got Rick Barry on my podcast coming up!
I saw that guy selling that thing at Summer League
+Ghost Vortekz 👊🏀👍👍
3:08 one kid gets exposed
Larry Bird stops his motion unlike scooter.
Wow been watching your videos for years, can't believe I haven't been subscribed. lol oops
Rick Barry is goat no cap
Someone please figure out how many is too many shots. when do u start to not be effective out there. Sometimes I feel that less can be more with that flo state psych stuff
Just focus on making.the shot. Don't worry about the form.
I used to make free throws easy then I grew two inches and now I struggle a lot of my mechanics are just the same as before but they just don’t go in
when i shoot i jump forward
I think -- hear me out -- I think this is a "video response" to the new NBA ruling about the Hack-A-Shaq, and a silent, strong message to the NBA players who have very low free throw %. Kinda like a sandpaper reminder that, it's their flaw for not making free throws, and this is a tutorial for them to learn from so that they can work on it.
+Loyal2law haha, okay! Sounds good to me.
Do this with an underhanded free throw shooter.
Someone please show this to Andre Drummond
I have a great idea
What about a World Cup of basketball free throws
Like a penalty shoot out with 5 players each
Take a penalty shoot out style game
Many teams play in an event in the same day
Multiple teams play each other on the same day
Internationals or club sides
Held over a day or two days in a group stage trophy with the best teams qualifying for a play off round then a final
It would be cool😎👍
He is trying WAY too hard to get people to buy the arm brace
Just curious: Why no likes/dislikes/comments on the Aaron Gordon video? Was it sponsored content (ZTE)? Did viewers object to that?
Although parts of the interview did kinda seem a bit pre-screened/scripted, I thought it was a solid interview... and it really wasn't trying to sell me anything... 🤔
+Eric Place I don't understand. There are 450 likes and 180 comments on the video. Did u miss those?
+BBALLBREAKDOWN interesting: they didn't show up on mobile the first couple times I loaded the video. Now they're there though! I'm gonna go add a like to the pile ✌🏼
+Eric Place 👊👍🏀
Coach Nick the type of guy guy to wear curry 2 lows to play
Give one of those arm things to deandre Jordan
he sounds just like Bones :)
coach Nick, did you ask him why he doesn't do underhanded free throws like his dad?
+brian espina I didn't and I will!
that was bones shaved right?...right?
Anyone else just watching the guys playing the background?
Someone show Kris Dunn.
Will only buy it If that thing can bring deandre Jordan's ft % to 70+
Is his brother called "bicycle"?
Bryson Tiller in the beginning
He sounds exactly like Brent