NBA Games for Free Throwing

The ability to convert free throws into points is important at every level of basketball play, but it is especially important at the professional level. NBA games frequently come down to the wire, and the last minutes of close games are often filled with intentional (strategic) fouls and dozens of free-throw shots; success or failure at the free-throw line can win or cost a team the game. Free-throw practice drills for NBA players emphasize focus, concentration and repetition. There are a variety of free throw games that can put younger players on track to shoot like the pros while also allowing them to enjoy themselves.

  1. Bump

    • Have players line up one behind the other behind the free throw line. Give the first and second person in the line a basketball. At the blow of the whistle, have the first person in line shoot their free-throw shot. If the first shooter makes his shot, he must quickly retrieve his ball and pass it to the next person in line. If the first shooter misses, he must quickly rebound his shot and put the ball in the net via another shot or layup. As soon as the ball has left the first shooter's hands, the second shooter may shoot her shot. If the second shooter puts her ball in the net before the first shooter does, the first shooter is eliminated. The drill continues with each shooter scoring or being eliminated as the players behind them put pressure on them to score quickly. For an added twist, allow players to "bump" their basketballs, which will cause balls to go flying across the court. This twist will cause a delay in the bumped player's ability to make a quick basket, and the twist also emphasizes the importance of making your initial free-throw shot.

    Around the World

    • Measure and mark with masking tape seven points 15 feet from beneath the backboard (the distance to the free throw line), creating a radius of shooting marks in front of the net. Place three shooting spots to the left of the free throw line and three to the right; mark the seventh shooting spot on the free-throw line. Give each participating player a ball and have them line up behind the shooting mark to the far left. The object of the game is to shoot and make each free-throw shot marked by the masking tape. One by one, players will shoot the ball and make or miss their shots; if they make their shot, they may progress to the left to take the next shot from the next mark. If they miss, they must return to the back of the line and start again. The winner of the game is the player who makes seven consecutive shots from the seven shooting spots, thereby going "around the world."

    Twenty-one

    • Instruct all the players to line up at the free-throw line, one behind the other. Have the first person in line shoot free-throw shots. Allow them to continue to shoot until they miss. When they do miss, they must pass the ball to the next player in line and go to the back of the line. Keep track of total free throws made; the first player to score 21 baskets is the winner.