What Is a Free Throw In Basketball?
A free throw is a shot a player takes from the foul line following a personal or technical foul. A player is awarded one or two free throws depending on the infraction. Free throws are worth one point each and are essential to basketball.
Types Of Free Throws
There are two types of free throws in basketball: the standard and the bonus free throw. The standard free throw is worth one point, while the bonus is worth two points. The bonus is awarded to a player who is fouled while shooting a three-point shot.
To attempt the bonus free throw, the player must first make their original shot attempt. If they make the shot, they are awarded an additional opportunity to score from the foul line.
Why Is It Called a Free Throw?
The term “free throw” originates from an old basketball game rule. In the sport’s early days, a player was awarded a free shot at the basket if they were fouled while shooting.
The rule was later changed so that a free throw was only awarded if the shooting player was fouled while in the act of shooting, but the name “free throw” remained.
Who Is Currently The Best Free Throw Shooter?
One of those players is Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Curry is known for his long-range accuracy, but he is also very good at free throws. He has made over 90% of his free throws in his career.
Is There a Time Limit To Shoot The Free Throw?
The amount of time a player takes a free throw shot varies depending on the league and level of play. In the NBA, players have 10 seconds to shoot their shot. In college basketball, the shot clock is reset to 20 seconds when a foul occurs, so the player has 20 seconds to shoot.
Players typically take less time to shoot in practice than in games. This is because players are under more pressure in games and want to ensure they take a good shot. They may also be tired from running up and down the court and may not have as much time to focus on their shots in a game.
Who’s The Worst Free Throw Shooter Ever?
The answer may surprise you. It’s not some journeyman player who could never master the art of shooting free throws. Instead, it’s one of the greatest players of all time: Shaquille O’Neal.
Shaq is the worst free throw shooter in the history of the NBA. He has a career free throw percentage of just .521, which is far below the league average of .749.
Why Do Bigger Players Have Difficulty With Free Throws?
1. They are typically not as skilled at shooting as smaller players. This is because they don’t get as much practice shooting free throws, as they are often not involved in the play when their team has the ball.
2. Big men are usually taller than average, so they have to shoot the ball further away from the basket, making it harder to make the shot, as there is more air resistance to overcome.
3. They tend to be heavier than average, making it harder to shoot the ball. This is because they have more mass, which makes it harder to generate the necessary force to shoot the ball.
4. Big men often have larger hands than smaller players, making it difficult to control the ball when shooting, which causes the ball to spin off course, making it harder to make the shot.
5. They typically have longer arms than smaller players – Giving them a longer lever to shoot the ball, making it harder to control the shot.
Tips To Improve Your Free Throw Shooting
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sinking a free throw in front of a packed house. The sense of relief and joy is unparalleled. Free throws are often the difference between winning and losing, so it’s important to be as proficient as possible at them.
Here are some tips to help you improve your free throw shooting:
1. Practice, Practice, Practice
This one seems obvious, but it bears repeating. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at free throws. Find a spot in your driveway or the park and shoot 100 free throws daily. The repetition will train your body and mind to know what to do when shooting in a game.
2. Use a Consistent Routine
When shooting free throws in a game, it’s important to have a consistent routine, meaning using the same motions and taking the same amount of time before each shot. This will help you stay focused and avoid rushing your shots.
3. Visualize Success
Before you take each free throw, visualize yourself making the shot. See the ball going through the net in your mind’s eye. This positive visualization will help increase your confidence and improve your chances of making the shot.
4. Stay Relaxed
Tensing up is one of the biggest enemies of good free throw shooting. When you’re tense, your muscles don’t work well, and your shooting percentage will suffer. So take a deep breath and relax your body before each shot.
5. Focus On The Target
Remember to keep your eye on the prize. Focusing your eyes on the back of the rim when you’re shooting free throws helps you better aim your shots and make a higher percentage.
Conclusion: Free Throws In Basketball
A free throw is a shot taken from the foul line in basketball, usually after a player has been fouled while shooting. Free throws are worth one point each and can be used to help a team win a game.
While free throws may not seem like much, they can be crucial. In close games, free throws often differentiate between winning and losing. And, of course, players who are good at free throws have an advantage over those who are not.
