3 Highly Effective Ways to Increase
Your Free-throw Shooting Percentage

Over the years I've seen lots of players shoot free throws well in practice, but when they get into games, they struggle at the line.

Why is this?

I'm convinced that it comes down to the mental part of the game. It's a confidence and focus issue, not a skill issue.

Many players have the ability to shoot a pretty high percentage from the line (75% or better), but don't because of the stress and fear they experience when they step up to the free throw line during games.

I can help just about any player improve their free throw shooting in a very short amount of time with some very effective tips.

Here they are.

Develop a consistent routine

Every time you step to the line, do the same thing. Whether it's taking 2 dribbles, 3 dribbles, or not dribbling the ball at all...whatever routine you develop and feel comfortable doing, do the same thing every time. This creates a consistent routine that can help calm your nerves and make you more comfortable at the line.

Take a deep breath to relax and clear your thoughts

A lot of time, a player steps to the line and starts to worry, question themselves, and panic that they'll miss the shot. What does this accomplish? Nothing good. It makes players more likely (much more likely) to miss the shot. If your thoughts are racing, and self-doubt is growing...you're more likely to miss the shot.

Develop several key words or phrases to replay in your mind while shooting your shot

This next tip helps a lot of players really zone-in and focus while shooting free throws: develop a few words that you say to yourself while at the line, going through your routine, and say those things every time you step to the line, on every free throw. For example, let's say you take 2 dribbles, bend your knees, then shoot the ball. You might say this to yourself and you go through this routine: "Dribble...dribble...bend...shoot."

What does this accomplish? It's another tool that helps you focus, quiet any self-doubt or self-defeating thoughts that may be racing through your head, and really boosts your confidence as you shoot the ball.

The key for using these techniques is that you develop and practice them before using them in games. Practice using your routine over and over again until you are confident in yourself at the line. Then, when you get into a game situation, you can transfer that confidence, and your shooting routine to the higher-pressure game-situation knowing that it works.

Use these 3 techniques at the free throw line and your shooting percentage will improve. The Florida players should try these out. I can almost guarantee that wouldn't be shooting in the 60% level if they did.

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