How to Improve Basketball Team Free Throw Shooting

Free throws determine the winners of many games. A lot of teams practice free throws, but are still not prepared to shoot them in game conditions. This article focuses on "Down the Line," a team drill that incorporates game conditions: fatigue and pressure.

Things You'll Need

  • Basketball Team
  • Basketball
  • Basketball Court
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Instructions

    • 1

      Line up the entire team underneath the basket, up and down the baseline. The team must stay in this order for the entire drill.

    • 2

      Call up the first player in line.

    • 3

      With a coach acting as referee, tell that player to step to the free throw line for a 1-and-1 bonus.

    • 4

      The player shoots the first free throw.

    • 5

      If the player misses the first free, that player is done and the entire team (including the shooter) runs a sprint to the other baseline and back.

    • 6

      If the player makes the first free throw, he/she is given the second shot (bonus shot). If the player misses that shot, the team runs a sprint to the other baseline. If the player makes the shot, the team does not have to run a sprint.

    • 7

      The next player in line is called up to shoot the 1-and-1 bonus.

    • 8

      This process continues until all players have had the opportunity to shoot free throws. In summary:

      1. If the player misses the first free throw, the team runs a down-and-back sprint (that player does not get the bonus free throw).

      2. If the player makes the first and misses the second free throw, the team runs a sprint to the other end of the court.

      3. If the player makes both free throws, the team does not have to run and the next player is called.