5 Tips on How to Master Pressure Free Throws

It's very common for players to feel really comfortable shooing a contested jump shot during the rhythm of a game but then tightening up when they have to shoot an uncontested foul shot. There is no doubt about it, free throws are a very different type of shot and for some they can be very challenging because of the pressure that comes with them.

If you're at the free throw line at the end of a game it can seem like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. In reality though, whether you make the shots or miss them, life will go on. Unless you are in the NBA Finals nobody will remember whether you missed or made the shots a few days down the road. Don't make it more than it really is.

It's hard to watch players be so hard on themselves when it comes to free throws. I've watched players have phenomenal games where they score tons of points, play great defense and then because they miss one free throw late in the game they think they have to take responsibility for the team's loss. The truth is, every play during a game counts and whether it happens late in the game or early in the game each event is equally important. If your team loses a game where there happens to be a missed free throw at the end, it's more likely that the loss should be blamed for turnovers or a number of other things that happened EARLIER in the game.

Just remember that even if you miss your free throws you'll have another chance to redeem yourself and in the grand scheme of things, it's not a big deal. Even if you are trying to get a college scholarship, it's not like a recruiter is going to even consider giving up on you because you miss a few free throws. If you keep these things in mind you'll be more relaxed at the line and make more of your free throws.

When you step up to the line think positive thoughts, don't focus on the people watching in the crowd or how bad your team wants to win. Instead think about one of the favorite places you commonly practice. It might be in your driveway, the backyard or at the gym during practice. Wherever it is just imagine yourself in that setting sinking one free throw after another. Think about how simple it is and how relaxed you are in that setting. The only difference is you are now inside a bigger gym and guys with striped shirts are handing you the ball. Think about the many times you've sunk 10 in a row and how easy it is. Don't allow any other thoughts in your mind.

One of the best things you can for yourself when you're nervous is to stop for a moment and take a few deep breaths. When people get nervous they don't even realize it but they start taking short breaths and it triggers those panic feelings that can cause you to lose touch with reality. You really need to get in the habit of reminding yourself to breathe deeply each time you step up to the foul line. You'll notice that it has a very soothing sensation and allows you to get back to reality and focus.

This is something I am a huge on. I do so because it is extremely important. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to discover that the reason so many players that can shoot well in practice but then struggle during games is because of the pressure that they are not use to. You have to get yourself use to shooting under pressure. One reason you shoot so well in your driveway with one watching is because it doesn't matter if you miss. Every so often you need to create scenarios where it does matter if you miss. Try to have contests with teammates where maybe the person that misses the most out of so many shots has to do something unpleasant. Or whoever makes the most gets some type of reward. I can tell you from experience that not only can this get you use to pressure but it can be a lot of fun!

When I was younger we use to put together all sorts of contests. For example we would determine that the person who made the least shots had to eat something really disgusting. For the sake of not grossing everyone out I won't go into the details of what some of the things were but I'll tell you what, there were times where I felt more pressure than I could ever remember because the thought of having to eat some of the things we came up with was so unpleasant.

Now don't get carried away with this. Be safe and don't do anything crazy. The point is to create some pressure when you shoot. With my son I will tell him a lot of times that if he hits a certain amount of shots in a row that we'll go get ice cream . It's fun for me to watch the intensity in his eyes change when there is something on the line. It's great practice for him.

Always remind yourself that you are a much better player when your mind is relaxed and not full of clutter. Practice sessions are when it's appropriate to do all the thinking. If you step up to the line and have racing thoughts like "remember to take 3 dribbles, keep my elbow in, feet shoulder-width apart" you're thinking too much. The idea is to get all that down in practice and then go through hundreds of repetitions so that during a game it's all second nature.

Every good team has a great leader. As a point guard you are expected to accept this leadership role and take it serious. You handle the ball more than anybody else on your team and with that comes some responsibility. You'll need to feel comfortable directing your teammates on the court because they expect it from you and the team needs organization on the floor. Off the court it's not necessarily your responsibility to baby-sit your teammates but it is your responsibility to work the hardest on the goals your team has set. Try to be the first to show up at practice and the last to leave. If you work your tail off then the rest of the team has no excuse to let down. You will earn their respect and without you having to say anything, they will start looking at you as the leader of the team.

As a point guard you should always be aware of what the game clock shows. A game can be won by simply taking advantage of those last 30-45 seconds of every quarter. It's your responsibility your team does the smart thing.

By knowing your teammates strengths and weaknesses you can save your team a lot of turnovers and make your teammates better. For example: If you're leading a fast break and see your center who lacks ball handling skills wide open, you need to be aware that if you make that pass it will likely end up being a turnover. Each player on the floor has different strengths and the point guard needs to make the passes and call the plays that will allow his or her teammates to utilize their strengths and not expose their weaknesses.

Your main role as a point guard is to make sure that the ball is brought up the floor in control so that your team can get into its offense. If you lack dribbling skills you will not be able to handle pressure up the court and will most likely turn the ball over or end up causing your offense to take a bad shot. Point guards should be able to dribble the ball efficiently with both right and left hands. Great point guards usually don't get too fancy and dribble too much. Dribbling too much may look good but it takes up time and stalls the offense.

A point guard does not have to be a great shooter but should be a good shooter. Once you get the team into its offense if you are not a shooting threat your defender will sag off and you put your team at a 4 against 5 disadvantage. You need to be able to consistently hit the open jumpers to keep the defense honest.

More and more point guards are turning out to be excellent scorers, which is terrific. The important thing to remember though is that for you to be an effective point guard you must be able to create shots for your teammates. If you get too caught up in trying to score, your passing ability will start to rust and the whole team will suffer. Take the open shots and bring a spark to your team but don't over-do it!

If your offense does a better job of scoring on the fast break then it's the point guard's responsibility to push the ball up the floor and create shots. If your offense does better after getting set up then it's important that you walk the ball up the floor and make sure everybody is set. Never let the opposition control which style of game you play.

Not only do point guards have to run up and down the floor, they also have to shout out plays and be mentally aware of all game situations. This takes a lot of energy and a point guard who is not in shape will not be able to last very long on the floor. You should be in better shape than all of your teammates.