Free Throws

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Is it just me or has free throw shooting become a ‘lost art’ in the college game? I’ve noticed a decline in percent from the line over the last few years, but this year seems to be worse. Why is this? Is it because the game has become more about making the fancy dunk or pass, you know, all that flashy stuff instead of making a relatively easy shot from the line. Don’t get me wrong a free throw is anything but free, one does have to practice it in order to be good at it. I once had a coach that made us practice shooting free throws with our eyes closed and each had to make 5 in a row or we stopped and ran suicides. We were 85% plus from the line as a team. Has the 3 point shot taken away from free throws? I know it has certainly changed the game, no longer is a 15 point lead ‘comfortable’. Look at the pros, a new strategy came about concerning free throw shooting, actually the lack there of. Remember ‘hack a Shaq’? Is the college game becoming like the pro game, more about entertainment? Speaking of the pros, can anyone name a pro that shot free throws ‘granny’ style? Enlighten me CM.

Good Luck to ALL at the MALL!!!

[Bustamove22]

your exactly right plano. kids nowadays are more concerned about shooting the 3 ball than shooting free throws.

[CUBS IN 6]

Didn't Rick Barry shoot them "granny" style?

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Originally Posted by CUBS IN 6

Didn't Rick Barry shoot them "granny" style?

BINGO! He was very good at it.

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Originally Posted by Bustamove22

your exactly right plano. kids nowadays are more concerned about shooting the 3 ball than shooting free throws.

Do you think that they are being coached this way?

[Bustamove22]

well, I think coaches try to get the players shooting free throws. But the problem is a lot of those coaches don't know how to teach the proper form.

Also, kids aren't practicing free throws enough, coaches can't practice for them.

[the penguin]

rick barry was the first one that came to mind, but did maravich also shoot granny style.
ive been gone all week and dont know if anybody caught it, but 18 years ago tuesday hank gathers died.

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Originally Posted by the penguin

rick barry was the first one that came to mind, but did maravich also shoot granny style.
ive been gone all week and dont know if anybody caught it, but 18 years ago tuesday hank gathers died.

I don't remember Pistol Pete shooting this way. I can still see him dribbling that ball. I suppose if I dribbled a basketball out the window of a moving car, I would be good at dribbling also.

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Thought I would visit this subject again. Tomorrow Miss St plays Memphis.
Fg %
46.1 Miss St
46.7 Memphis

3Pt %
33.2
35.3

FT %
64.5
59.7

Will the slight edge that Memphis has with the 3 offset their dismal FT %? Or.... if they shoot bad from the arch, they are in trouble? Are they so much better than Miss St that this won't matter? Will Miss St send Memphis to the line more due to their the poor FT%?

The bottom three in FT% were (not in this order) Memphis, Clemson, Winthrop. Poor FT shooting was a factor in the Clemson game, among others.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Good Luck to ALL at the MALL!!!