Free throws

[Deeringfish]

I was surprised when the announcer for the DePaul game said that big Matt's free-throw % was under 50%. When I was a kid (12 years old) I used to make about 80% of my free throws by shooting underhand from between my knees. I could hardly reach the rim the conventional way, but a lot of the kids in the neighborhood shot underhanded. As I got older and stronger I switched to the conventional method mostly because I was embarrassed to shoot underhanded. I never was a accurate though.

Has any one in college or the pros ever shot free throws underhanded? I think it would be worth a try especially for bigs like Matt.

 

[SmellyCat]

Rick Barry was famous for it. Plus the dude from Hoosiers.

I was about a 40% free-throw shooter many years ago when I tried to keep track. To me, an NCAA player (who presumably practices free-throw shooting way more than I ever did) barely clearing 40% is pretty hard to do. I know he made eight free throws in a game a few weeks ago, but otherwise Nicholson has been pretty bad from the line this year. I worry that a "hack-a-Matt" strategy could work for the other team.

 

[techtim72]

I don't think you would want Matt as your dentist. Big hands and not much touch.

 

[docrugby1]

Rick Barry had a career FT % of 90%, shooting underhand

Wilt Chamberlain shot underhanded also.
Dave Gambee of the Syracuse Nationals , Paul Arizin, Bob Cousy and possibly Clyde Lovellette also did

 

[loyolacat]

Sports Illustrated did an article on shooting underhanded and proved with physics it was more effective.

 

[Catreporter]

His stroke was awful to start the year( (had two straight airballs in EIU game, and I think and was 0-for-his first 6 this year) but it has improved. Too late to do anything about it this season. BTW, Illini beat Mizzu by 3, making 23 of 24 from the line while the Tigers missed 9 or 10 of theirs. The danger of his foul shooting problens really raises its head at the end of close games when you want him in there especially for defense.

 

[Rebel II]

I was surprised when the announcer for the DePaul game said that big Matt's free-throw % was under 50%. When I was a kid (12 years old) I used to make about 80% of my free throws by shooting underhand from between my knees. I could hardly reach the rim the conventional way, but a lot of the kids in the neighborhood shot underhanded. As I got older and stronger I switched to the conventional method mostly because I was embarrassed to shoot underhanded. I never was a accurate though.

Has any one in college or the pros ever shot free throws underhanded? I think it would be worth a try especially for bigs like Matt.

Ever heard of Rick Barry or Wilt Chamberlain?

 

[No Chores]

Sports Illustrated did an article on shooting underhanded and proved with physics it was more effective.

That's because the ball lands much more softly if it hits either rim. The best stroke on the current team belongs to Leach, which is why he was chosen to take the free throws when the flagrant foul was called on Brooks. He made all four I believe.