FREE THROW DRILLS

There is a great variance of opinion as to the proper methods
of practicing free throws. One successful coach never prac-
tices free throws separately, but has his players shoot a few
attempts daily as they are practicing other shots. He rarely
corrects the form of a player and allows him to shoot with his
natural form. Another coach has each player shoot fifty shots
per day and keeps a record of the members of his squad. He has
only a fair game record. In the drills to follow, the writer has
stressed the idea of having men arranged along the lanes and
with other situations approaching game conditions as a general
rule.

Most coaches advocate the shooting of a number of consecutive
throws early in the year to establish habits and then have the
player step back from the line after each throw later in the

year. Some attention should be given to the defensive and offen-

sive rebounding of missed free throws and to the fast break from
a missed free throw and the defense for it.

SHOOT MAKE—SHOOT MISS DRILL

In this drill the player attempts free throws until one is scored and
then continues with the drill until he misses one.

After missing he takes his place along the lane with the other players
in the group and a teammate takes his position at the free throw lane and
continues with the drill.

This drill is often criticised for affording most of the opportunity for
practice to the better shots on the squad. This is hardly fair as the poorer
shots often take longer to make the first shot, obtaining a fair balance of
shots as they will usually not make as many consecutive shots as the better
shooters. The element of competition involved makes the drill a very
satisfactory one.

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