NBA Finals, Game 7...Your team is down one point...One second left... A foul and two free throws coming... Who do you want at the charity stripe?

 

Of course, we’d like to have a Reggie Miller or a Larry Bird or even better
Michael Jordan at the line to sink those crucial shots. Chances are, though,
they’re not on your team. So now what? It’s up to you!

 

So how do you build the skill and confidence needed to win the big games at the
charity stripe? 4 simple steps: Ritualize - Visualize - Optimize - Capitalize.

 

Free throws are an important part of your game. How many times have we seen
games come down to the final seconds and either be won or lost at the free throw
line? All the time! So learn these 4 timeless secrets and join the ranks of John
Stockton and become a Great free throw shooter.

 

1. Ritualize

 

Ritualize means you create a specific repeating pattern of behavior prior to
performance, a regular pre-task routine, which sharpens your focus,
concentration and attention.

 

Reggie Miller would step up to the line holding the ball on his hip with his
left hand and place his feet about 12-14 inches apart with his right foot
slightly forward. He then would raise his arm straight up towards the basket
with his hand bent as if he had just released the ball. Then he would take three
consecutive dribbles, sit back into a slight crouch and let if fly. Every free
throw was exactly the same.

 

Karl Malone could be seen mouthing something to himself (We have no idea what he was saying) right before he shot the ball. Whatever ritual you develop for yourself, know that it’s the most effective device for delivering yourself into the mindset you must be in to sink every free throw.

 

"Repetition brings familiarity, and familiarity is the opposite of the unknown."
- Steven Levenkron

 

2. Visualize

 

Visualize means mentally rehearsing or "seeing" in your mind what you intend to
do before you do it. When you visualize perfect form and a flawless shot that
draws nothing but the bottom of the net, it becomes exponentially more likely to
happen.

 

You’ve heard the saying, "What you see is what you get", haven’t you? Focus on
the process and see perfection. You’ll find that visualization is a powerful
tool.

 

"I see a mental movie before I hit every shot." - Jack Nicklaus

 

3. Optimize

 

Optimize means allowing yourself to trust in yourself and your capabilities, to
have the self-confidence to pull the ripcord, knowing the parachute will open.
Simply put don’t hesitate! Delay does damage.

Nike said it best with their million dollar slogan: "Just Do It!" This is when
shooting free throws just becomes automatic.

 

"You must seek to have control and then act with abandon!" - Anonymous

 

4. Capitalize

 

Capitalize means celebrate your success as well as the success of your
teammates. Pat yourself on the back with each success at the line. When you make your free throws savor the success, nourish it, grow it, use it - capitalize on it. Allow it to build your confidence in other aspects of your game - defense, offense or whatever. Let this positive energy ooze out all over you and your team.

 

"What I do best is share my enthusiasm." - Bill Gates

 

With these easy-to-follow principles you can become the elite free throw shooter
of your team. Actually, you can apply these principles to every part of your
game. Whatever you do, keep on shooting!

 

Matt & Dave run http://www.basketball-plays-and-tips.com/freethrow
and enjoy teaching basketball players and coaches more about
the basketball plays, drills, fundamentals and tips that
result in individual and team success. For our free report,
"5 Keys to Discovering the Successful Coach Inside You",
plus two additional player/coach reports, send a
blank email to mailto:basketballtip@aweber.com .

 

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