Underhanded Free Throws

[ScarletDave]

I know it's a topic that's been discussed here a bunch. I never had an opinion on it, but I remember a week or so ago someone came up with the argument "statistically underhanded is better than normal FT shooting, we should try it let them laugh at first but when we start hitting them it will get national attention" ... well, apparently we weren't the only ones with this idea. Last night on ESPN they did a story on a player from the Florida Gators (a top and respected program) who has been shooting underhanded this year. He had hit 42, yes 42! free throws in a row!! Before he finally missed one the other night when we played Purdue (and it rolled in and out). So, as crazy as it sounds, I would be all for it if they started doing this.

 

[RUONTHERISE]

That's Rick Barry's relative on florida.

 

[colbert17]

That's Rick Barry's relative on florida.

It's his son.
Who the heck calls their kid Canyon!

 

[Russ Wood]

Keep in mind that Canyon didn't just suddenly switch to underhanded free throws this season. He was shooting them this way when he was a freshman at College of Charleston. I think he shot free throws this way in HS.

He tried to get some of the low free throw shooting Florida players to switch. One tried in the summer, didn't see improvement and went back to his previous shot mechanics.

 

[knight82]

It's his son.
Who the heck calls their kid Canyon!

There must be some deep reason for it

 

[LevaosLectures]

It's a nice idea, but as a poster above said, I don't think you can just switch after a lifetime of shooting traditionally. You have to start granny style in jr. high.

 

[ruman]

that dude has a lot of kids - he's got to be in his late 60's

 

[rudad02]

It's a nice idea, but as a poster above said, I don't think you can just switch after a lifetime of shooting traditionally. You have to start granny style in jr. high.

Another erroneous reason not to do it. Petino had one of his guys do it at Louisville. Shot somewhere in the 40's & went to the 60's. Is currently shooting 71 % in NBA Developmental League. The great Frank McGuire convinced Wilt to try it in '63. Wilt shot 61% for year, his highest ever, up from 50% the previous year.

 

[Russ Wood]

that dude has a lot of kids - he's got to be in his late 60's

I think four sons and one daughter. Barry has been married more than once. Canyon's mom was a heckuva college basketball player.

 

[LC-88]

That's how my Dad shot free throws when we played back on the day. Said his HS coach taught him. He didnt miss much. When he did miss, all that backspin caused the ball to go crazy off the rim.

 

[S.W.A.I.N]

Another erroneous reason not to do it. Petino had one of his guys do it at Louisville. Shot somewhere in the 40's & went to the 60's. Is currently shooting 71 % in NBA Developmental League. The great Frank McGuire convinced Wilt to try it in '63. Wilt shot 61% for year, his highest ever, up from 50% the previous year.

Literally the only two examples you can point to. Fact is, for an 11% increase in FT you're not going to see kids (high-school/college/playground) willing to look goofy. May not be whats best for their game, but they ain't shooting it like a granny.

 

[RUsince52]

Keep in mind that Canyon didn't just suddenly switch to underhanded free throws this season. He was shooting them this way when he was a freshman at College of Charleston. I think he shot free throws this way in HS.

He tried to get some of the low free throw shooting Florida players to switch. One tried in the summer, didn't see improvement and went back to his previous shot mechanics.

Don't forget he learned from his dad who was probably the best at it. It takes time to learn the technique, especially the feel part. You're actually shooting the ball with both hands, be it sideways, but the release and spin have to be precise. The ball hits softer, but it still has to be straight.
As a kid playing ball we tried different ways to shoot the ball after watching some of my favorite players do it. Rick was one of these guys because of the free throw method and with a little practice, it wasn't that uncomfortable. But it wasn't as easy for the guys that weren't good natural shooters. If you're a 60% guy, don't know if you would improve to 75%. Have to be comfortable with the technique and that takes practice.

 

[rudad02]

Literally the only two examples you can point to. Fact is, for an 11% increase in FT you're not going to see kids (high-school/college/playground) willing to look goofy. May not be whats best for their game, but they ain't shooting it like a granny.

How about that I picked up that technique very quickly? Is that an example. I don't see shooting them underhanded as looking goofy. I see throwing up rocks overhanded as goofy & subject to ridicule. You start making FT's underhanded & the jokes over. By the way look up the great Daolph Schayes, one of the best & the toughest. Shot them underhanded at an 85% average.

 

[RUsince52]

How about that I picked up that technique very quickly? Is that an example. I don't see shooting them underhanded as looking goofy. I see throwing up rocks overhanded as goofy & subject to ridicule. You start making FT's underhanded & the jokes over. By the way look up the great Daolph Schayes, one of the best & the toughest. Shot them underhanded at an 85% average.

Don't know about the goofy part, just different. I can't remember too many players shooting that way in the 50's, watching games as a kid, especially college. The guys that were good at it made it look easy.
Nowadays, it would still require a touch which if you don't have it on a jump shot you probably won't be much better on the foul line. Probably worth a try if you are really a poor shooter. But that brings up another point. If you can't shoot you're a liability unless the guys around you are enough to compensate and you can't be on the court in a close game at the end.

 

[S.W.A.I.N]

How about that I picked up that technique very quickly? Is that an example. I don't see shooting them underhanded as looking goofy. I see throwing up rocks overhanded as goofy & subject to ridicule. You start making FT's underhanded & the jokes over. By the way look up the great Daolph Schayes, one of the best & the toughest. Shot them underhanded at an 85% average.

Again, you are referencing Dolph Schayes...I know all about him, don't need to look him up, and kids today don't know about Danny much less Dolph. Don't know why you're going at me, I am telling you why kids in high school won't do it...not saying its the right move, but it ain't happening.

 

[S.W.A.I.N]

How about that I picked up that technique very quickly? Is that an example. I don't see shooting them underhanded as looking goofy. I see throwing up rocks overhanded as goofy & subject to ridicule. You start making FT's underhanded & the jokes over. By the way look up the great Daolph Schayes, one of the best & the toughest. Shot them underhanded at an 85% average.

And yeah, the fact that YOU picked it up really isn't relevant, you are not someone any basketball players will look at and be inspired by...not a knock, a fact. Not happening.

 

[rudad02]

And yeah, the fact that YOU picked it up really isn't relevant, you are not someone any basketball players will look at and be inspired by...not a knock, a fact. Not happening.

Was responding to a post that argued that it took a long time to master. Poster said you have to start in HS to be any good in later in college. Point is that one can become proficient in a short period of time. I had offered Rick Barry, his son Canyon & Wilt as examples. Wilt tried it in "63. Improved from 50% to 61%, then abandoned it. But those weren't good enough examples. Thus my post. Certainly don't hold myself out to be a 74 yr old role model. How about yourself? Do or did you shoot overhanded. If so, perhaps you could serve as an inspiration for our guys.

 

[S.W.A.I.N]

Was responding to a post that argued that it took a long time to master. Poster said you have to start in HS to be any good in later in college. Point is that one can become proficient in a short period of time. I had offered Rick Barry, his son Canyon & Wilt as examples. Wilt tried it in "63. Improved from 50% to 61%, then abandoned it. But those weren't good enough examples. Thus my post. Certainly don't hold myself out to be a 74 yr old role model. How about yourself? Do or did you shoot overhanded. If so, perhaps you could serve as an inspiration for our guys.

Yes I shoot normally, and I would inspire just as much as you could...which is not at all. My point isn't that is wouldn't work, but that it will not catch on. So perhaps find another way to improve our wretched FT%....like by recruiting better shooters.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I know there are some engineers here that can do the math... but I always though shorter people have an easier time with free throws because the arc of the ball comes to a shorter "peak".. has more arc to it than when a big person shoots it.

That is, the big person shot is flatter and comes in faster. And if they put more arc in it, the ball flies higher and is comign down faster as it approaches the rim.. hard to get soft shooters' bounces with that shot.

For that reason, the underhand shot would add in that arc and make the shots softer.. for all players, big or small.. but would really help the tall players avoid that flat shot.



Don Nelson did it 1-handed.. like shooting darts..

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

His grandsons are Mesa and Butte. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:Typical for a guy from Roselle Park right?