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How to "Shoot" 10 More Free Throws a Game
By Coach Randy Brown

Scoring points is the name of the game in basketball. A proper balance between defense and offense can lead to a high rate of success. Points that come from the free throw line are valuable to a team, especially late in the game. Learn how you can increase your free throw production consistently.

Facing a scoring problem one year, I began to explore the three ways to score points. From the field you can score a two-point or three-point field goal. The focus on offensive philosophies seems to lean to creating scoring opportunities from the field. Without a doubt this is an important focus when creating plays, offenses, and special situations. The question I pose is this: Do coaches spend enough time strategizing about how to get to the line more?

One of the most telling statistics in basketball is FTA (free throws attempted). Good teams are aggressive, stretch the defense, and are hard to guard. According to the statistics, the more you get to the line, the better chance you have to win.

Getting to the line more often is the key to winning. Once I asked a friend of mine, "How can my team score more points?" His answer surprised me. He said, "Shoot more free throws than your opponent." I probed further into the subject with this legendary coach. "So exactly how does my team shoot more free throws than my the opponent?", I asked. His answer shocked me. He responded, "Foul less!"

After spending a great deal of time investigating this topic, I arrived at the following solutions.

1. Put more pressure on the defense by getting the ball to the basket. By driving to the basket, petting the ball to the post, and taking shots closer to the basket, you will get fouled more often and shoot more free throws.

2. Create a "no foul" mentality with your team. Many fouls are of the reaching or grabbing variety. Simply by reducing the use of hands, your team will foul much less.

3. Set a team goal to beat your opponent to the bonus in each half. This will develop a mindset of getting fouled on one end and not fouling on the other end. By instilling this ownership within your team, you will drastically increase your chances to win by consistently shooting more free throws.

When your team shoots five more free throws a game, and you limit you opponent to five less than last year's averages, you will "shoot" 10 more free throws a game. Therefor, you have added 7 point to your side of the scoreboard. Would that be a benefit to you and your team?

In conclusion, I challenge you to take a good look at your free throw situation, and make some changes for next season. It will be time well spent.