The Spurs and Cavs struggled again from the free throw line, at least during the first half when I was watching. There are a couple small tweaks a couple players could make to improve their percentages.
I wrote about Tim Duncan previously. When he sets at the free throw line, his hands are on the side of the ball. So, a part of his actual shooting mechanics is twisting his hands into shooting position. Obviously, this is inefficient and ineffective.
Anderson Vareajo’s problems start with the way he sets his hands at the free throw line. When he puts his right hand on the ball, his right hand faces to the side. When he moves the ball into his shooting position, he elbow flares wide. From this position, he has a tendency to shoot across the ball rather than straight to the basket.
LeBron James has a similar, though less pronounced problem. When he finishes his three dribbles as his routine, he sets the ball on his left hip. From this position, he does not always get his right hand all the way under the ball before he shoots. Rather than his hands directed at the rim, his fingers point slightly to the side.
When I teach free throw shooting, I want players to finish their routine on the right side (for a right-handed shooter). The fingers should point straight at the rim, not to the side. The ball should start on the right side of his body, whether the player sets at his hip, in front of his chest or at his shoulder. By keeping the fingers straight to the basket with the ball on the shooting side of the body, when the player moves the ball into shooting position and finishes his shot, his shooting arm stays in alignment, which is an efficient shooting technique and eliminates the misses to either side.
Earlier this year, I reported on the San Antonio Spurs hiring a free throw coach, ostensibly to fix Tim Duncan.
Not to blame the coach, but Duncan’s woes continue. This weekend, Duncan went 2 for 7; tonight, he was 1 for 11 before making two in a row to finish 3 for 13.
I must admit I have not seen the Spurs play this season. However, last season, I explained Duncan’s free throw shooting problems like this:
When Duncan comes set at the free throw line, his hands are on the sides of the ball. So, as he brings the ball from his set position at his waist to his shooting position, he twists his hand into shooting position with his hand under the ball.
This is extra, wasted motion which adds inconsistency. When working with young players, we simplify their shot as much as possible. I teach players to come set with their hand behind the ball and wrist already cocked. From this position, the players lifts the ball in a straight line to his shooting position: no extra or wasted motion, and therefore a more consistent shot.
If Duncan simply started the shot in this manner, the added consistency likely would lead to marked improvement at the charity stripe.
Interesting article on 82games.com about player’s shooting percentages from different spots on the floor. Definitely provides solid data for coaches to use when designing their schemes.
I copied and pasted two tidbits from the article, but I’d follow the link to see the whole thing.
What’s the best three-point shot?
The order of shooting accuracy on a league wide basis goes zone 5 (right corner), then zone 1 (left corner) and 3 (straightaway), with a significant drop off to zone 4 (right wing) and then zone 3 (left wing).
Who’s the best mid-range shooter?
Steve Nash was amazing from zones 7, 8, and 9. Locations on the court from which the league as a whole shot .389, .412, and .386 respectively saw Nash fire .573, .573, .557 — best midrange shooter period.