From: grimlok@hubcap.clemson.edu (Mike Percy)
Subject: Re: Free throw shooting
Organization: Clemson University
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 17:09:31 GMT

fls@acpub.duke.edu (Forrest Smith) writes:


>	The reason three-point shooting is off is because of the
>three-point circle.
>	Before the three-point line was painted, there was only one
>distance of shot to practice, a free throw.  All other shots were taken
>from wherever they became available.
>	The invention of the three-point circle caused two problems.
>First, as I said, players now practice shooting from a second line, one
>about 19'?" from the basket.
>	The second problem is a matter of strength.  As players have
>extended their shooting range to encompass the three-point arc, it has
>become harder for them to hold back a little to hit a free throw.  
>	If the free-throw line were moved to behind the 3-point circle,
>in a couple of years everyone would be shooting 80+% for free throws and
>better than 50% for 3-pointers.

This perhaps has some validity, but how can it be measured (unless you
move the line).  But it doesn't explain why players who never think of
shooting a three still have poor free throw shooting.  Do they run
around practicing the three to the detriment of their free throw
shooting when they'll never shoot the three?
 
Personally, I think this theory doesn't carry much weight.  I think
it's more that players are more interested in dunking, etc. than
spending the time and concerted effort to practice "something as easy as a
free throw" with any great effect.  Free throw shooting is muscle
memory, developed by many repetitions of doing it right.  Field goal
shooting, every shot is different since the conditions change.  

I think a good analogy is found in golf.  Driving is muscle memory, developed
over many hours on the driving range -- each drive is basically the
exact same thing (tee it up, line it up, grip it and drive it 250yds
down the fairway).  After that, things change with each shot -- grass
height, distance, slope, obstacles & hazards.  You've practiced similar
(but not identical) shots enough to achieve the goal a good percentage
of the time, but conditions change and you may not hit it quite right.

Just as you spend time on the range developing your drive, free throw
shooting can be developed with time spent at the line, doing it over and
over and over, till you can just about do it with your eyes closed.
Then you go and practice jump shots, lay-ups, threes, dunks etc. so that
you'll be ready and able to do them when it counts, adjusting for game
situations -- just like golfers practice approaches, chips, blasts, and
putting.
 
Driving ranges bore me, I'd rather compete.  I suspect free throw
practice sessions bore most players as well and they'd rather scrimmage.
The good golfers spend the time, and I think the goods FT shooters do
too, and the bad ones fail to give it the right effort.

Mike Percy             | grimlok@hubcap.clemson.edu  | I don't know about
Sr. Systems Analyst    | mspercy@clemson.clemson.edu | your brain, but mine
Info. Sys. Development | mspercy@clemson.BITNET      | is really...bossy.
Clemson University     | (803) 656-3780              | (Laurie Anderson)