Average Height Of NBA Players
Basketball Champs

The Average Height Of NBA Players From 1952 To 2022

Rob Willemse

What is the average height of an NBA player? is a common question, so we thought that we should cover the subject in depth for our loyal readers.

Professional ballers have been getting taller. While it’s not impossible to be an NBA player and not reach the exalted height of six feet, it’s usually the case that being taller is helpful. Some players are even 7 feet or taller. That’s rarer than you would think in the United States where there are believed to only be around 70 men alive who are under forty years old and at an age to still play ball who are over 7 feet tall.

Not unsurprisingly, taller people tend to gravitate to basketball as a sport with currently 20 U.S. NBA players who are 7 feet or taller. Giants! So, when you see someone walking down the street who is towering over you, the likelihood is pretty good that he likes playing hoops. He’s also probably pretty good too!

For this piece, we examine what’s the typical height for playing in the NBA. We look at this from the perspective of different playing positions. Also, we consider whether the average height has altered over the years in the professional association too.
So, let’s do this…Average Height Of NBA Players

 

What’s the Typical Average Height of NBA Player?

For the average basketball player, playing in the NBA in the 2017-2018 season, they were 6 foot 7 inches tall (about 200cm).

To provide a comparison, the average U.S. male is 5 foot 9 ½ inches tall. So, they’re no slouch in the height department.

Height has changed over time with better nutrition at a younger age. This has seen the sport evolve with players getting taller. There are also more outliers where they’re even taller than the average which seems to occur more frequently now than ever too.Average NBA Heights

 

For average NBA height from the 1952 era, they were around 6 foot 4 inches in height across the teams playing at that time.

However, the height increased through to 1987 where the average height topped out at the current 6 foot 7 inches tall or so.

Effectively, the health and nutritional improvements when it comes to human growth had their natural limit across a population and ballers too. Admittedly, this average height does bounce around a tiny bit from year to year, but it mostly holds steady.

Has the Average Weight Changed with Professional Ballers?

What has changed is the average weight of the players.

This isn’t from the perspective of being obese, but from body growth overall including a greater focus on muscle mass. As the need for talented NBA players that excelled as athletes as good as any other professional sporting athlete grew, their weight increased right up to 2011 when it topped out at 221 pounds.

However, the style of play has changed in recent years where being slight and nibbler has become preferable over pure mass and power. This has seen the top weight of NBA players drop down from their peak to reflect this change in playing style.average Weight in NBA by position

If you only consider the height as a single statistical measurement – as many people make the mistake of doing – it only paints part of the picture.

For instance, it’s common to see guards who play just fine at a 6-foot height. However, if you wish to play in the center, then the height variance is wider with some ballers standing around the average of 6 feet 7 inches tall and others getting up to 7 feet.

The picture is a mixed one. Certainly, some positions are better suited to taller or shorter NBA players. So do not despair if you’re not as tall as some. That doesn’t entirely rule you out for the NBA if you aspire to greatness.

The data does show that currently, NBA players were most commonly at 6 foot 8 inches tall.

They also had a total playing time covering 12.2% of recorded game time. There are always extremes or outliers though. Just 20 NBA players were below 6 feet tall and they only had 4% of the time on the court compared to other ballers. There’s been a total of 45 people standing over 7 feet tall and they had at least double the playing time.

What’s typical to see are basketball players that are between 6 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 10 inches. They have the lion’s share of the minutes on the court getting a 51% share. Essentially, they’re the most likely to get their start whereas taller or shorter players have fewer positions where they’re best utilized and so get far less court time.

What’s the Right Height to Play in the NBA?

Do you wish to play in the NBA eventually? Maybe you’re still at school and are planning your future.

While it certainly will require considerable game skills, there’s no escaping the fact that you need to be quite tall to get a good chance for this to happen. While the average American is under six feet tall, professional basketball players are considerably taller. Around 10 to 12 inches taller than the rest of the U.S. population.

What are the Averages for the NBA Players?

For the recent 2017-2018 season, the average player was 217 pounds and stood at 6 feet 7 inches.

Some 523 ballers were taller than 6 feet. Indeed, 15 players were measured as being six feet tall but got under 4% of the time on the court. Just 5 ballers were below six feet tall and got less than 1 percent of the minutes on the court. It clearly pays to be taller.

Breaking Down Players by Basketball Position Played

There’s considerable variance from position to position with players of different heights. We’ll now examine this further:

average nba height by positionPoint Guard

Point Guards stood the shortest in 1952 at the start of that season where they were around 6 feet on average. They’ve since gotten taller to reach 6 foot 3 inches by 1987 where the height gains leveled off and sometimes decline slightly. There have been outliers such as Magic Johnson standing at 6 foot 9 inches though.

In the case of the Point Guard responsibilities, changes in how the game is played and the individual talent of a baller is often what determines success over the question of height. While the latest season saw a return of Point Guards being 6 foot 3 inches on average, there are other players who were far taller than the NBA player average such as Isaiah Thomas or Ben Simmons.

Shooting Guards

Shooting Guards have gotten significantly taller over the years and their peak height is more noticeable too. The height growth reached a peak at 6 foot 5 inches by 2000, but we still see taller players now in the Shooting Guard position.

The height range is not as wide either with players usually being between 6 foot 3 inches and 6 foot 7 inches. Indeed, some men who play as Shooting Guards get classified as Small Forward when they’re taller. But they’re an anomaly.

Small Forwards

The Small Forwards is really an oxymoron. They’re some of the tallest of all basketball players!

Even back in 1952, small forwards were 6 foot 4 inches, typically. This grew over time to max out at 6 foot 8 inches as an average in the 2015-2016 season. What tracked very well is that the Small Forwards were around 2.5 inches taller than the Shooting Guards over time. Attendants at a game may have noticed this with the men running on either wing being noticeably bigger guys.

There is also a tight grouping on average heights for the Small Forward position too. Most players fit neatly into the 6-foot 6 inches to 6-foot 9 inches range.

Power Forwards

The evolution of the Power Forward position has been significant over time.

Previously, they were seen as dogged players that were substantial and powerful who took advantage of post-ups to increase the score and charged forward for rebounds too. Currently, Power Forwards are far more proactive scoring 3-pointers and starting plays that other ballers complete.

Curiously, the game style hasn’t been dictated by a height change. Indeed, the average height of a Power Forward of 6 foot 9 inches in 1987 hasn’t seen much volatility year over year. What has changed in 2018 is the weight level with players being around 10 pounds lighter on their feet reflecting the need to be spryer on the court.

Center

Centers aren’t that different from Power Forwards when it comes to height changes over time.

The average height hit a maximum of 7 feet tall in 1996. However, the weight kept increasing to 2014 when it hit a peak of 255 pounds. The range of height differences with Centers isn’t considerable – it’s usually from 6 feet 11 inches to around 7 feet tall.average weight in nba by position

 

Where’s the Data Come From?

Basketballreference.com is the source for the height, weight, position played, and other data used as the basis for this article.

It’s worth bearing in mind that often players covered different positions through a given season making positional data a little inaccurate due to the variability of real life. A player may even have their assigned position changed mid-game too.

The information about a player’s height and weight is only captured once. While the height is likely to remain the same, their weight can fluctuate considerably through the years or just a single season.

Also, while it might have been noted that 3 players were active across 3 seasons, that could mean the same player played in all 3 seasons and is being counted 3 times. Therefore, the 3 players could relate to 3 individuals or one person who played all three seasons. They’re not separately counted.

Rebounding Tips
Basketball Strategies

Basketball Rebounding Tips

Rob Willemse

The rebound is a lost art for most kids playing the game today. You will watch many games with kids waiting for the ball to come to them and where they are standing. Rebounding is as much or more work as shooting, posting, or defense.

There is a price to be paid for rebounding that only a few people are willing to pay. You have to be ready to react when a shot is made, be responsible for a player, and then crash hard when the ball is up at the backboard.

It is no easy task, but the team that rebounds the best wins the game – there is no question about that.

Rebounders must be the best person on the floor at reading the game. How players move around and how the ball will react on the backboard or rim. The position is essential, timing is crucial, and it is all part and parcel of reading how the play develops.

Let’s go through some aspects of rebounding tips that will make you a better player.

Boxing out

By far the most crucial element of a successful rebounder, but often the most overlooked. Players wait for rebounds to come to them; they don’t create situations where they can get the rebounds. That is what boxing out is all about — Giving yourself the best opportunity to get the rebound. It’s tough, but it is worth it.Boxing out

When you box out, you must keep a few things in mind. Your body is your biggest asset. You must use your body to your advantage to be a good rebounder. Proper positioning when you box out can mean between snaring the ball or giving it up to your opponent.

Always be aware of where the opposition players are. Often you aren’t boxing out a player covering you or who you are protecting. You box out the player who has the best chance at rebounding you.

Defensive rebound

If you are playing a man-to-man defense, you must always know where your check is. When a shot goes up, you need to find your man. Maneuver your body into a position where your hips and torso are in the way of your opposition. T

hey can’t try and get by you physically, or they will be called for a foul. The person who is appropriately boxed out is helpless.Defensive rebound

For a solid box-out position, you should have your feet shoulder-width apart, sink you’re behind a bit, and sit back in your stance. Make your body as solid as possible.

When executing the box out, get the circumference of your body (hips) into the midsection of the defender. You can use your position to drive your opponent from the basket.

When playing zone defense, you are responsible for anyone coming through your zone, including boxing them out when they are there. Sometimes you will get two or more people in your zone at any time, and you need to be able to decide which one of them is the most likely to get the rebound. That is the person you box out.

Here is a good tip when you are boxing out on defense. Create a “no-rebound” zone where you will not let anyone in. Be very conscious of anyone going in and out of that zone, and be prepared to block anyone in your zone when a shot goes up.

Your coach will never get upset at you for boxing anyone out. If you can box people out, you eliminate one possible offensive rebounder from reaching the ball. You also put yourself into a position to get the rebound.

Offensive rebound

 You still have every right to the ball on offense. You can apply the same principles of the defensive rebound to that of the offensive rebound. Boxing out is essential, but getting your body in front of the defending player may be challenging.

This is where your attention to what is going on in the game will pay huge dividends. On offense, you know where a play is going and where it will end with a shot. You can anticipate when your teammate will shoot the ball, and you can find the position to box out.Offensive rebound

Boxing out is equally important on the offensive boards as it is on the defensive side of the ball. You aren’t going to get too many rebounds if you are on the wrong side of the box.

Here are a couple of drills you can use to practice your boxing out:

Grab a partner and start as though you are covering them on defense. Have them take a shot and mentally go through the steps you need to take to get a proper position on them. Find the space to defend and get your body in the way.

Have your partner go half-speed after the rebound, so you can get used to getting position on the play, and then have them go full speed after you start getting more comfortable with making sure you are in the proper place.

You can even switch it up to try and gain an offensive position by having the shooter try and gain position after the shot.

The next drill is more of a team drill but can be done with as few as three players.

If you have an entire team practice, set up five guys in a zone defense. Have three players play the offensive side of the ball. The three offensive players should quickly move the ball around the perimeter, trying to stretch the defense out and give themselves lanes to get offensive rebounds.

The defensive players should move with the ball like in a zone defense. They should be ready to move into a box-out position when one of the offensive players takes a shot.

When the offensive player takes a shot, have them drive to the hoop to get the offensive rebound. The defensive players should have identified the player taking the shot, and they have to squeeze the shooter out of the play by boxing them out.Rebounding Tips

To make the drill more complicated, have all three offensive players crash the boards instead of just the shooter. It will force the off-side players to ensure their head is in the game by boxing out those who aren’t involved.

Another bonus drill is to see how long you can box each other out if you have just one other player with you. The offensive player must try to get the position, and the defensive player must keep him away from the basket. You do this drill with no ball.

Timing your rebound

After you have boxed your opponent out, you must ensure you time your rebound correctly. Nothing is worse than going up for a rebound too soon and having your opponent swipe the ball from over your head because you jumped too early.

But you can’t sit and wait for the ball to come to you because your opponent will grab it before you get your feet out of the cement.

Learning the proper timing is something that comes with experience and practice. You have to be able to read how the ball might react when it hits the backboard or rim; then, you must be ready to spring into action.

You want to get the ball at its highest point after it hits the backboard or rim. A good rule of thumb when timing when to go after a rebound is when it bounces off the edge, reaches the highest point off the bounce, and when you should jump.

If you try and jump for the ball right when it hits the rim when you reach the height of your jump unless you have a 45″ vertical, the ball will be at its highest point, and you will likely miss it. If you wait for it to come down after the ball reaches its apex, you are already too late, and your opponent moves the ball down the court on the fast break.

An excellent rebounding drill to help you with the timing is to take a shot from about 5 or 6′ out, purposely miss the shot and then step up and try and time your rebound. You will pop up the shot, get into a quick box-out position, and then spring to the rebound. You can do this drill on your own.Timing your rebound

Another drill you can do on your own is a common one for players at all levels of basketball.

Stand in front of the backboard, throw the ball up, and continuously jump and rebound the ball back up into the backboard. You can do this one until you are tired. This will help your timing, and it will also help your hands because you have to catch and re-release the ball each time you jump up for the rebound.

Going up for the ball

After you have position and time, jump perfectly, go up strong, and right after the ball. Put both hands in the air and grab the ball. It drives coaches crazy to see a player go up and swat at a rebound, thinking they will end up batting it to a player on their side. Just like the rule goes in football – if you can get one hand on it, you can probably get two. Catch the ball in the air and control it for your team.

A good rebounder goes to the hoop with a purpose. Within the rules of physical contact, the rebound specialist fights for position and then boxes out so they can steal rebounds.

When you go up for rebounds, you have to go hard. If you want to be good, you can’t just willy-nilly and hope the rebound comes to you. You have to go and get the rebound.

Slump in Basketball carrier
Basketball Champs

5 Tips to Slump Busting in Basketball

Rob Willemse

Every athlete I have worked with, whether in basketball, baseball, tennis, or any other sport, will run into a performance slump at some point in their career. The slump will inevitably come, so you must be prepared for when it does.

It’s not the slump; however, that’s the biggest challenge, but what to do to get out of the slump that’s the most important. We never plan on a slump showing up – it just does. On the other hand, we never think of having a backup plan of what to do when it does. After all, who plans on failing?

Like in every sport, there can be a single instance slump, or the slump can carry on over a series of games or performances.

The longer the slump goes unresolved, the more challenging it can be to break it because the longer we reinforce the bad habits, the more difficult it is to break them. What started to be a single-game slump can quickly develop into a pattern of harmful physical and mental addictions.Slump in Basketball carrier

In my opinion, most shooting slumps are mental. Confidence, trust, and belief in self are especially critical skills when shooting in basketball. Why are you shooting if you don’t believe the ball is going in every time you hit? Ask any good shooter, and they will tell you they expect the shot to go in.

It’s never a question of if but more of when it goes in. Any basketball player will tell you this even if they missed their last ten shots.

The following five mental game tips to Slump Busting in Basketball

will not make your slump disappear but will serve as a guide to help you look closely at what might be going on above your shoulders.

 Ask yourself, “Why am I in this slump?”

Check in with yourself, and if you have a journal, take time to put your thoughts down in your diary. What is it that’s holding you back? Is it your confidence? Is someone else getting in your head?

A sports psychologist or mental game coach is an excellent resource that brings the skills to help you get to the “What, When, and Why” behind the fear. Please keep it simple. There is no need to figure it out, but accepting or facing the fear is an excellent beginning.

Don’t second guess

You may second guess because the coach is giving you mixed messages. One minute you have the green light, and the next, you don’t. One minute you’re doing fine, and the next minute you’re being pulled for turning the ball over or missing a shot.

If you second guess, you need to be more focused on the present, but either thinking about getting pulled from the game on a previous play or when you will be pulled out next.

To beat this, you have two choices: to play distracted by events out of your control or to play freely and in the moment without distractions. You are better off focusing on what you have in your control and forgetting everything else.Slump Busting in Basketball

It’s almost as if you block out the coach and act without the fear of getting pulled. If you hesitate and think more about not making the mistakes, you’re more likely to make the mistakes.

Commit to yourself. You will play with a present tense state of mind, not worry about what might happen, and focus more on what you plan to make happen. Keep it very simple!

Embrace success

Recently, I worked with a very talented D-1 college point guard on a top 5 NCAA women’s basketball team. She had been in a shooting slump and had not been getting the results she was expected to reach. She started doubting herself and began to fear what was expected of her.

The fear became so intense that she often failed because she wasn’t sure what to do with her success once she got it. Everyone knew she had the talent. She was a fantastic player but needed to be more comfortable with the exposure.

To beat the fear, she started to welcome the prospect of success by planning what to do with success once it came. She started to imagine success, began to embrace it, and practiced how she would manage the exposure that came with winning.

Once she had a plan, she realized it wasn’t her shooting ability but her fear of what would happen when she did well.

Avoid overthinking

Thinking is for practice, reacting to what you know, and trust is for games. Often what happens is practice confidence does not transfer to game confidence. Thinking often comes into play if the ball player tries to be too perfect in game situations and therefore thinks more about mechanics rather than playing freely.

Thinking leads to analysis, and over-analysis leads to game paralysis. My tip for beating overthinking is to “try less” in games. Try less to do everything perfectly. Take 60% of your strengths and trust in them 100% of the time. This approach helps keep things simple.

Focus on the positive

Everyone talks to themselves. What you say to yourself is as important as how you say it. If you find yourself second-guessing, your subconscious may send negative messages to your conscious mind. To beat the negative news, you must counter with an alternative positive thought at a 5-1 ratio.

For every negative review, the counter-positive message must be repeated five times. Remember, you will be a more accurate shooter if you relax and are not distracted by negative news. If your self-talk is negative, you will be down on yourself.

Basketball Off-Season Attitude
Basketball Champs

Basketball Players Off-Season Attitude

Rob Willemse

Heading into your off-season, you need to lay out a plan that will help shape you as a basketball player and put you in the right mindset to have you succeed during the season. Countless basketball players let the crucial time of the off-season pass them by and then ended up on the bench during the season.

Basketball Players Off-Season Attitude

If you talk to college or professional basketball players, they will tell you they let their bodies recover for a week or so after the season, and then they get right back at the grind of improvement.

Most successful basketball players always stay in shape. They are in the gym getting up shots, in the weight room working on explosiveness, or many now take yoga or stretching to improve their flexibility.Basketball Off-Season Attitude

To improve over the offseason, you need to be willing to practice and play outside your comfort zone. Athletes need to find coaches and trainers that can work with them at least 2-3 days a week to see improvements.

These trainers must understand where the athlete was last season and what they need to improve upon the following season. They also need to be able to push athletes outside their comfort zone to build confidence in the new skills being learned.

Look to build and improve your athleticism. You want to be stronger, quicker, and more resilient to injury. By attending offseason strength and conditioning workouts through your school or a certified professional, you will build the tools needed to elevate your game. Improving explosiveness, flexibility, and power will allow you to use the skills you learn to their full potential.

As an athlete looking to improve during the offseason, you must find new situations that challenge you and allow you to use the new skills you are practicing. Look for opportunities to play in games with talent above the level you played at last season.

This can be rec leagues against the varsity team, and the best choice is finding the best pickup games in your area. Female basketball players should look to play against boys regularly.

When you play against better competition, you cannot let frustration get the best of you. Remain competitive and understand that by playing against the superior competitor, you will improve and learn from it.

In the offseason, as an athlete, you must have a mindset that there will be setbacks and days when you don’t want to go to the strength and conditioning workout at 8 a.m., but you need to.

Your friends may be begging you to go out with them and enjoy your summer, but you must decide if it is more important or if getting 500 shots up that day is more important.

Will you be dedicated to your game, or will you let your precious time in the offseason slip away? Players need to have an attitude that is open to constructive criticism and believes that all of their efforts will pay off.

basketball training Hard To Guard
Basketball Training

Basketball Training To Be Hard To Guard

Rob Willemse

Every basketball player wants to be a better scorer and learn to take over a game. As a scorer, you should always aim to be as efficient as possible with your shooting.

There will be nights when you don’t shoot well, but the quality of your shots will determine a massive part of your shooting percentage.

This article will teach you some great tips and tricks for being hard to guard and ultimately getting a high-percentage shot.

Tips For Being Hard to Guard Basketball Player

Train and Play at Different Speeds

Many players think they are hard to guard if they go as fast as they can, but this is different. This strategy makes it easier to defend sometimes. You probably think I am crazy right about now, but let me explain.basketball training Hard To Guard

When players go as fast as they can, they are consistently at the same speed. This makes them predictable and, therefore, easier to guard. The defense is also engaged and ready to guard because they recognize that the offensive player is trying to make a move past them.

The better way to do this is to change up your speeds. You want to get the defender off balance by going from slow to fast and back and forth. From here, the defender is at your mercy.

Train to Become Multi-Dimensional

There will be areas of your game that are stronger than others, but you still need to be well-balanced and able to score in multiple ways. For example, if you can only catch and shoot, the defense will play you tight and force you to dribble.

However, if you can also move off the dribble, you can exploit the defense for overplaying you. Don’t be a one-dimensional player, but learn to score in various ways.

Train to Read the Defense

Great offensive players can read the defense and take what is being given. So before you make your move, read the defense and figure out how your defender and the help defense guard you.Teamwork Basketball Training

By figuring these two things out, you will find out what available moves. This takes a lot of practice and learning to scan the defense, but it will add much value to your game once you master it.

Score Within the Offense

Depending on your position, this will look different, but you must learn how to score within your team’s offense. It could be using a ball screen, a hard cut, setting a screen and opening up, etc.

These will be your best chances to score and are usually a lot higher percentage shot than trying to achieve on your own. You must do your best to take advantage of these opportunities.

A qualified basketball trainer can help basketball players become hard to guard. Let me help you ignite your game and become “hard to guard.”

springfree trampoline basketball hoop
Basketball Training Aids

The Best Trampoline With Basketball Hoop In 2023

Rob Willemse

A trampoline for the kids to play on is great fun. Many have enclosure netting to avoid the kids being overexuberant and falling off the trampoline.

What isn’t, as usual, is to have a basketball hoop included in the design to be able to play hoops when bouncing around.

Trampoline basketball hoops provide an excellent way to combine bouncing for fun and scoring some extra hoops.

It offers the chance for younger players to get enthusiastic about using their trampoline but also as an introduction to the game of basketball.

While a basketball court would be too large and imposing for their little minds and bodies, a hoop that’s set up for them to learn about is a great little extra to have.

It also adds a new element to bouncing around to make it fun to do with friends who come over to play.

The Top 5 Best Trampolines With Basketball Hoop

Merax 14FT Kids Trampoline with Basketball Hoop

The Merax 14-foot Kids’ Trampoline comes with see-through mesh netting all around it. It has multiple posts clad in bright green along with a border trim of the same color.

best trampoline with basketball hoopThe trampoline stands 2.95 feet off the ground with a 4-step ladder made from tough galvanized steel that makes it safer to climb up and onto the edge of the trampoline to move inside.

Parents of young children will want to lift them or support them as they climb to protect them from falling.

They’ll also want to keep an eye on them and ensure they call out for help when wanting to get back down. After all, the trampoline is 3 feet off the ground.

Fortunately, there is a soft mesh enclosure all the way around. It seals up preventing small kids from exiting the Merax trampoline unless they can figure it out on their own. The trampoline is 14 feet wide at its widest point.

Buy From Walmart

It is supported by 5 legs in the shape of a “W.” Along with them are six poles that have foam padding to protect from accidental impact. The material is also UV protected to avoid fading in direct sunlight.

Seventy-two galvanized springs attach the frame and mat and help to provide the bounciness that’s required for any trampoline.

The basketball backboard is well-shaped, clad in black with a green outline with a square target area. The fixed basketball hoop is green with a similarly colored netting hanging down to show the basketball’s accent.

The PP mesh material and PP pad are both machine washable. The trampoline doesn’t fold down entirely. It does require some time and patience for assembly.

The hoop, safety enclosure, and ladder as all BV certified.

The total weight capacity is 330 pounds which are ample to support several kids playing on the trampoline at the same time. The product arrives in 3 boxes which are dispatched individually.

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Lovely Snail Trampoline with Basketball Hoop (5 feet)

The Lovely Snail Trampoline with Basketball Hoop is a smaller 5 feet wide product that’s ideal for a room or outside in the garden. It’s designed expressly for kids with no grownups allowed!

trampoline basketball hoop attachmentThe trampoline has a weight limit of 220 pounds which is to be expected considering it’s much smaller than some other trampolines under review in this guide.

Fewer kids can fit into the enclosed space and so it makes sense that the total supported weight is reduced too.

The design is set up to remove any risk that the supporting springs could come into contact with anyone as they’re underneath the covering material.

This design makes it much safer for little ones who have an annoying knack for getting their fingers caught in things. Especially the boys! Buy From Walmart

The trampoline is bright green once again (but there is an identical blue one too). We would suggest getting the green-colored one if there are only boys in the household, but the gender-neutral green one if both boys and girls are likely to play on the trampoline at some point (or a son has friends of both sexes).

Several sturdy poles connect to three W-shaped long legs. The poles have back stoppers to make them safer to touch at the end and avoid the trampoline from tipping on the carpet, wooden floor o,r outside on the grass, or patio.

While the trampoline is 5 feet wide, with the netting enclosure for safety, the enclosure is under 4-4 feet As a result, this product can be placed on its side and squeezed through a doorway sometimes.

It is certainly possible to use it in the living room with a patio door leading out to the garden and carry it through to the garden when the weather is cooperating.

The basketball backboard is a colorful affair that’s a kaleidoscope of colors. The metal hoop and multicolored hoop net are just as colorful as the backboard

. A 5-year-old is going to be able to reach the hoop quite easily, so this product is probably best for little boys and girls, and adventurous toddlers after they’re past the walking stage.

This trampoline with a basketball hoop is ideal for toddlers and young kids, but it will be too small and low for kids past 5 years old.

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SONGMICS Trampoline for Kids with Basketball Hoop

The Songmics Outdoor Trampoline for Kids with Basketball Hoop is a robust, thoughtfully designed product.

It comes in three different size options which are unusual in this product category. The size options for trampoline width are 12-foot, 14-foot, or 15-15-foot.

springfree trampoline basketball hoopNevertheless, this product is specifically designed for use in the garden and elsewhere outdoors; not indoors although perhaps it could.

The color scheme is a strong dark blue and black color. The support poles and covering are blue whereas the mesh netting and UV-protected trampoline mat are black.

This trampoline is certified by TÜV Rheinland.

The interior black tight mesh netting runs all the way around to prevent children from bouncing out of the trampoline area.

There’re some metal steps down to the ground and an attractive blue padded mat with a designated place for a child to stand before beginning their climb up to the entrance to the trampoline. Buy From Walmart

The curved basketball backboard is attractively designed with a black face and patterned near the bottom edge. The black metal hoop is connected to the hoop net that’s tri-colored in red, then white,d lastly, blue.

The construction materials rely on galvanized steel for the poles and the springs that connect from the frame to the mat. They’re intended to avoid rusting because this is an outdoor trampoline after all.

The jumping pad is connected using the springs and them to the frame, with the spring cover pad going over the springs to avoid catching the fingers in that area.

The spring cover is made from PVC, EPA, and foam and coated with polyurethane.

The carrying weight of the 15-foot version of this trampoline is 375 pounds, but it may be slightly lower with the smaller-sized signs of this product.
The packaging includes a pair of gloves to protect the hands during the assembly too.

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Exacme Trampoline Enclosure Net & Ladder, with Basketball Hoop

The Exacme High Weight Limit Trampoline comes with a basketball backboard, hoop, and netting for active play while bouncing around. The major marketing point of this product is given away in the name.basketball hoop for trampoline

It holds up to 398 pounds of people bouncing around on it at one time. This is the highest for a product in the kid’s trampoline with basketball hoop category.

That is likely to vary depending on the size of the trampoline (this weight limit is relevant for the 16-foot product specifically).

The product is sold in a very flexible range of sizes: 8-foot, 10-foot, 12-foot, 13-foot, 14-foot, 15-foot, and lastly, 16-foot.

Along with the product parts ready for assembly, the box also has an orange basketball, a basketball pump, and a User’s manual with assembly instructions included.

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The frame uses galvanized steel which makes it better at resisting rust when leaving this larger, more robust trampoline outdoors.

Tubes erect around the frame to give it solidity and they move down to a U-shape at the bottom to form individual legs.

The springiness of the trampoline partly comes from the PP in the jumping mat. There are a blue polyurethane and PVC cover around the exterior of the mat which covers the galvanized springs and also helps with the bounce on the trampoline.

The basketball backboard is curved and angular with an orange basketball pattern on the front. The basketball hoop is black with black netting below it. The supplied basketball is 7 inches in size.

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Skywalker 12-Foot Jump N’ Dunk Trampoline with Enclosure Net

The Skywalker 12-Foot Jump N’ Dunk Trampoline with Enclosure Net sees kids seemingly walking on air. Because of this, the company Skywalker Trampolines has a strong focus on safety.basketball hoop trampoline

They use a patented design for the coiled springs that connect the frame to the trampoline’s jumping surface to reduce the gap between the two to avoid little fingers getting trapped there.

The trampoline has been tested against the American Society for Testing and Materials standards – it passed in places and exceeded the standards in others which is good for parents to hear.

Their warranty is also more extensive and runs for a longer period. The steel frame is covered for 3 years and the other parts for a single year. Buy From Walmart

This 12-foot trampoline comes in models with a choice of six colors: Blue, Green, Red, Stars and Stripes, Purple, or Camo.

It’s worth pointing out that in each case, the metal supporting poles, jumping mat surface, and netting all remain their respective colors; only the spring enclosure covering between the edge of the frame and the trampoline changes color.

With the Stars and Stripes model, there’s an additional item added to the netting to make the color scheme look right.

The mesh polyurethane netting is black in a tight design with the door enclosure zipped up. Each pole supports the netting from outside the net area and then is bent near the top to tilt inwards.

It has a protective curved knob at the top of each pole that sits atop of netting once the pole has been slid through which protects from roughly shaped pole ends.

The enclosure uses two zips along with a clip-on feature making it less likely small kids can figure it out.

The basketball backboard is flimsy and hangs down. It’s not intended to be a hard board that gives a bounce.

This avoids a child from hitting their head on it when trying for the hoop. The blue backboard has a white target area above where the hoop is.

The hoop is also designed with softer material to avoid a child from getting injured. The design considers preteens or teenagers playing who are taller and might reach the hoop area unassisted or through bouncing on the trampoline.

The design differs markedly from other trampolines with hoops because it goes out of its way to avoid using hard materials that have the potential for injury.

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Find Perfect Basketball Hoop For Trampoline (Buyer Guide)

Trampolines are usually designed just for jumping, not for playing games. But some enterprising manufacturers have decided to up their game literally by adding a basketball hoop and basketball backboard so that bouncing fanatics can play hoops too. This got our attention.

Initial Design by Trial and Error

Initially, the designs for the hoop weren’t that great with some falling into the trampoline enclosure when going for a dunk. That required manufacturers to rethink how they dealt with the design issues.

Eventually, they came up with a new approach which saw the basketball backboard attached firmly to one of the supporting poles and the hoop and hoop netting attached to the backboard. This then solved the problem.

Sometimes it was also made higher to reduce the likelihood of dunking the ball (we’d suggest to children not to attempt to dunk the ball as it’s not designed for that purpose much like a mini basketball set for a bedroom isn’t either). The new design is now far safer to give parents a high confidence level.

Construction& Safety

The majority of trampolines with basketball hoops come with sturdy frames made from steel. The steel is usually galvanized which means that it’s been further strengthened.

The numerous springs that fit between the frame and the jumping mat are also made from galvanized steel.

This also prevents early rust for trampolines that either get rained on or stay outdoors permanently. Only some trampolines are made for being outdoors; usually the larger ones.

A mesh netting as an enclosure is used. This might be produced from a soft material like polyurethane.

The main thing is that the netting is strong enough, non-abrasive, and doesn’t have holes wide enough to fit the kid’s fingers through to get trapped.

Furthermore, the covering that runs over the gap between the edge of the jumping mat and the metal frame where the springs get fitted hides these parts to make the trampoline safer.

Safety regulation is currently on the recommended level with most manufacturers stating that their product matches the present suggested standard.

Sizing and Colors

Some trampolines are offered in different colors or color schemes. These usually just mean that the covering between the frame and a bouncing mat is a select color. Sometimes, the color scheme also includes other elements.

However, most parts are mass-produced in a set color, so, for instance, the netting won’t change color in most instances depending on the color of the product selected.

With the sizing, either the product is fixed at one size or there are several versions of the same product being sold with different size trampolines.

Basketball Backboard, Hoop, and Netting

Each basketball hoop design element is different. Some have harder backboards and a sturdy steel hoop whereas others are flimsier and intended for small children to not injure themselves.

You can certainly pick between products and manufacturers based on the type of basketball setup they have inside their trampoline. However, understand that this is an added extra.trampoline basketball hoop

It’s not intended as a full-blown basketball setup and so the usual wide backboard and other design elements shouldn’t be expected to be present.

It’s minimal to add some new fun and possibly introduce basketball as a sport at a young age.

Anyone with a child that gets more interested in playing hoop will probably see themselves buying a basketball hoop for their driveway or elsewhere in their home at a later time.

Conclusion

Being able to buy a trampoline with a basketball hoop is a great addition to this type of product. The suitability for the kid’s versions is for little ones who are old enough to hold and throw a ball at least a short distance into the air.

It introduces basketball to young minds which is never a bad thing as it’s a fun sport and jumping on the trampoline burns off some extra energy.

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basketball lay up shot
Drills

Basketball Shooting Drills For Coaches & Players

Rob Willemse

What basketball is all about – the shot. To excel at the game of basketball you have to be able to put the ball in the hoop. Either from short range, under the hoop, or from downtown. You aren’t a basketball player if you can’t sink a shot.

In this chapter we are going to take you step-by-step through most of the basketball shooting drills under the sun: The set shot, the jump shot, the layup, the hook shot, post moves, and anything else we can think of.

We will describe briefly the science behind the shooting and the proper technique for every shot, and then at the end, we will give you a couple of drills that you can use to help you become a higher percentage shooter.

The science behind the shot

There are three scientific points about shooting a basketball that no one can dispute. If you know and understand how each works, immediately you will become a better player.

The cylinder

Think about the basketball hoop for a moment. It has an 18” diameter, while a basketball has a diameter of just over 9.5”. That leaves a lot of open space to sink a basket, doesn’t it? Or does it?

It depends. And that’s where understanding the science behind the basketball shot comes in handy. Picture the hoop as a cylinder from floor to ceiling — a long tube that is prepared to suck your basketball in for one, two, or three points.

What is the best way to get the ball into that cylinder with the greatest chance of being sucked in for a basket? If you drop it straight down into the cylinder, of course.BASKETBALL SHOOTING DRILLS FOR COACHES

BASKETBALL SHOOTING DRILLS

So what does this mean for your shot, you ask? Well, it’s simple the greater the arc on your shot, the greater chance it has of going in. When you think about it from that perspective, you will probably never pop off a flat brick again in your life.

If you flatten out the trajectory of your shot, you give yourself less and less chance to make it into the hoop.

By increasing the arc of your shot, you are opening up as much of the 18” diameter hoop for your 9.5” ball. If you come in at a lesser angle, physically the hoop is no smaller, but mathematically you are shrinking the opening of the hoop.

Angles

The second scientific thing to think about is angles. This is important for shots off the glass or simple rebound shots. It is a common sense tip that a lot of players overlook when using the glass for their shot.

When you take a shot, think of it like you would a pool shot. Physics says an object projected at a solid, flat surface will return directly to you. It also says an object sent at an angle to the flat surface will rebound at the same angle.

For example, if you take a 15’ jumper and just kiss the glass at about a 10-degree angle, the ball will leave the glass at, or close to the 10-degree angle. It’s physics – you can’t mess with it. The only time this rule doesn’t apply is if a player puts a considerable amount of spin on the ball, or ‘English’ as it is referred to in billiards.

Angles are a good thing to know about when making layups or shooting from close to the hoop. Understanding them will increase your field goal percentage in the long run.

Backspin

Most basketball players shoot with some backspin, but sometimes not enough. What they may or may not understand is when you have backspin on the ball when you shoot, when the ball hits the rim (with the appropriate arc), it tends to bounce straight up, rather than off to the side, giving you an extra chance for the ball to drop. Make sure you flick your wrist when shooting – but we’ll get more into that in the technique of shooting.

The technique

No matter what shot you take, unless it is an unreal, coast-to-coast dream shot, all have the same fundamentals. In one way or another, each of these shooting pointers has an impact on the success of the shot.

  • Squaring up to the hoop has got to be the single most important element of shooting, especially for jump shots. If your shoulders aren’t square to the hoop, you don’t even give yourself a chance to be a great shooter. Imagine a line between the front of the hoop and your sternum. If your shoulders aren’t at a right angle to that line, you have a problem. Your shots are likely off-target far more than they are on. Your hips should also be square to the hoop the same way your shoulders areSet shot
  • Be in control. You can’t execute a proper jump shot or hook shot if you don’t have balance. Watch the best shooters in college and the NBA. They may do things at lightning speed, but they always get control of their body, square up to the hoop and drain the jumper.
  • Pick a target. It doesn’t matter where it is – the back of the rim, the front of the rim, or the backboard. If you zero in on a target, you increase your chance of sinking the basket.
  • Bring the ball up through a cylinder (see the pictures below), and rotate it so one hand is on the side of the ball as the guide, and the other hand is behind the ball, ready to propel it at the target. Keep the ball in that cylinder from start to finish to give yourself the consistency you want to become the best shooter. Make sure you release the ball just above head level.

Follow through at the hoop. Flick your wrist to get the backspin on the ball. By following through at your target you almost ensure it will hit the intended target.

Each of the following shots will utilize the same techniques to a certain degree, each with its small differences.

Set shot

This shot, which came before the jump shot, is used primarily for free throws or open, perimeter shots. It has the fundamentals players use for jump shots, just without the jump.

Make sure your feet, shoulders, and hips are square to the hoop. You can’t make a shot with your hips aimed one way, and your shoulders and feet another. Your knees should be bent slightly because you will use them as the springboard for the force of the shot.

Hold the ball with two hands, but don’t shoot the ball two-handed. You should have your shooting hand directly under the ball (not on the side), and your wrist cocked to flick it on release.

All shots have a set point. This is where the ball is going to be released. Most younger players have a lower set point because they can’t lift the ball too high and still get enough force behind a shot. But, if you are at the high school level, your set point should be at the forehead or higher. This is to prevent blocks by releasing the ball as high as possible and still maintaining accuracy.

Bring the ball up the cylinder as described before, and keep it in that cylinder until you are ready to release the ball. Any deviation from the cylinder will decrease the ball’s chance of hitting the target accurately.

Use the force from the leg thrust to propel the ball to the target. If you try too hard to use your arms and push the ball, your chance of throwing the ball off target increases.

Follow through to your target.

The Jump Shot

This shot is the bread and butter of the best NBA shooters. I can make this simple: Use the tools from the set shot, but add a jump to it.

The real keys to a successful and accurate jump shot are timing and control. You can’t make a jump shot if your body is totally out of control. I’ve seen players streak from one end of the court to the other and then 15’ feet out, with all of their built-up momentum, just take a shot (a brick at that) and it is an easy rebound for the defense.Jump Shot

If you are charging down the court, just before you take a shot (this should be the standard for any jump shot) take a couple of small ‘control’ steps, get your control, and your balance, and then you have a solid platform to make the jump shot.

The jump of your jump shot should be straight up and down and not to the side. You can fade back, but generally speaking, that jump is still straight up and down. You may think you need to avoid a blocking defender, but with the proper overall timing and technique, you should have no problem shooting over the block.

Here is one drill you can use to perfect the above shooting technique:

Stand in one spot about 10 to 12’ from the hoop. The foul line works, but it is best to vary the position you are shooting from and the distance, so try several positions.

Get in the proper shooting position, and prepare the ball as though you are going to shoot. Mentally go through the technique described above, just do it at half-speed. Make sure you slowly and deliberately go through each of the steps to become comfortable with and to teach your mind and your body what the proper form is.

Take 10 to 15 shots from the same position (ideally if you get good at sinking the shots the ball will come back to you) and then vary the position of the shot.

NBA players use this drill when they are in a field goal funk.

The lay up

This should be the easiest shot on the basketball court, but for some strange reason it is the one I see most often missed when it shouldn’t be

The layup is commonly the shot a player uses when they drive to the hoop. But, unfortunately, it is the one shot that employs the greatest variation from player to player. That’s the downfall of this easy basket.

There is a tried and true method to making this shot. If you are willing to use it every time you go to the hoop, I will guarantee you will either sink your shot, draw the foul, or both. It is as simple as that.

Think back to elementary school gym class, and how awkward it was to try and get the steps down to put the ball up to the hoop. It was like walking and chewing gum at the same time.basketball lay up shot

But, eventually, you mastered it and by the time you hit seventh grade, you could sink a layup 99 times out of 100. So what happened? I’ll tell you what happened… you started watching the NBA.

If you use the same technique your phys ed teacher taught you way back in grade school, you will have the layup.

Here it is, in all its glory. Bounce, bounce, step, step, jump, and in. Easy as pie. So why do you miss it? Are you trying to finger-roll layup? Are you releasing it with your palm up instead of straight ahead? Are you only going up with one hand?

All of those things (and more) lead to inconsistency when driving to the hoop.

Here are a few tips for making the layup 99 times out of 100:

  • Use two hands ALL of the time. No questions asked. You are going to get it batted from your palm every time unless you maintain firm control of the ball.
  • Don’t be fancy. I admit there will be times you need to maneuver the ball around a hand or two, but trust me when I say you are better off taking it straight to the hoop no questions asked. You will draw far more fouls if you go right for the basket rather than dipsy-doodling around defenders.
  • Stride through the lane. You have to go through the lane with conviction to reach the point at the basket where you want to release the ball. If there is a man in the way, or hands are swatting the ball as you drive the lane, you still have to get through.
  • Keep your wrist facing forward and release the ball just below the hoop. Don’t get too far underneath the hoop or you aren’t going to have a hope of getting the shot to drop. Place the ball gently against the backboard at the appropriate angle and you have a basket. Keep two hands on the ball until you release it to the hoop.

Again, there is no reason a player at the high school level should miss more than a handful of layups during a season. And the only time you should miss at that is if you have a defender covering you like glue forcing you to alter the shot.playing basketball

The Hook Shot

This one was probably made most famous by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Lakers. His skyhook became his marquee shot and set the stage for Shaq’s baby hook and others.

The hook shot has its pros and cons. It is a great shot to have in your arsenal, especially if you are a big man. But it goes against most of the conventional techniques I have described in the pages prior.The Hook Shot

You won’t be square to your target, you could well be off balance, leaving the accuracy of the shot at a minimum. Unless you spend hours practicing, this shot is a low percentage, even at the NBA level. Typically this is a shot that has to be made inside 10’, simply because of its potential for a miss.

What it does offer the player is a shot that can be made under intense defensive pressure and the ball is protected from any block by the ball-handlers body.

Here are a few tips you can use to make the hook shot a part of your arsenal:

  • While you can’t be square to the target, you can do your best to make sure your shoulders are perpendicular to the hoop. The closer you can get to making that angle 90 degrees the greater you increase your chance of draining the hook shot. Picture yourself as one of those old scales that weigh one side and the ball on the other. When you release the ball and your shoulders are perpendicular to the target, you already have a set path for that ball to travel.
  • Your shooting arm should be away from the basket, on the other side of the perpendicular shoulders. This is to keep the ball away from the defenders.
  • Have your non-shooting arm in front of you, just to act as a counterbalance. This helps the stability of your body and the accuracy of the shot
  • Lift your arm, flick your wrist, and propel the ball toward the hoop. It may be easier when you are learning the hook shot to use the backboard to help you hit the shot.
  • If you want to become good at this shot, it requires a lot of patience and practice to perfect it.

If you can make the hook shot a part of your basketball repertoire, that’s great, it could pay dividends at State Championships down the road.

Posting up

The world of the big men is staring you down, and you are going to need moves to get you in tight to the hoop so you can either make the easy dump in or jam it home.

This side of basketball shooting has so many variations, a book could probably be written on all of the possible post-up moves a player could make. We’ll try to isolate a few of them for you to put into your arsenal and show you a couple of tips when you develop your post-move.

The drop step

When you are posting up, chances are you are being played pretty tight, and your defender is likely covering the baseline because they have helped through the middle. The drop step, if executed correctly, takes advantage of an aggressive defender.

When you have your hand up waiting for the pass, get in tight to the defender and give him the feeling he can intercept a pass if it comes into you. When you are set, take a jab step out to receive a pass. The defender should be trying to prevent you from getting the pass, but the jab step puts you one step ahead.

Once you get the pass, put the ball to the floor once and hook your baseline foot behind your defender. Pivot and move toward the hoop. You should have boxed the defender out and had a free shot at the hoop. If your defender does try to recover, he or she will likely foul you coming from behind.

It is important with this move to execute it quickly, to take advantage of the defender who has over-pursued the ball. A variation, once the defender gets a hang of the quick hit to the hoop is to throw a fake in there and then draw the foul when he or she is in the air.

Drop step – two

You can do the same move but this time go to the center of the key. Receive the pass without the jab step, make a fake to try the baseline drop step, and hook your foot around the key side and either drive right to the hoop or try a little jump hook if the help-side defense has arrived.

This move is especially effective against a man-to-man defense because it is less likely you will get caught up in help defense.

Step-and-a-half

For the step-and-a-half, you need to receive the pass and front the defender. Fake the short jumper to get the defender moving in the air – this is where they are most vulnerable.

Once the defender is in the air they are easily beaten. You needn’t even put the ball to the floor to execute this move, just step one step around the defender while they are in the air, and with that step take off at the basket.

You will not be called for traveling as long as you lift off with the foot you took the step with. That’s why it’s called the step-and-a-half. You are taking one step and almost taking another in the air.

Back door lob

This one is especially effective with a guard who can put the ball on the money. Take your defender to the top of the key, near the free-throw line. Make sure you have the inside position, to the center of the paint.

Signal your guard and make a drop step toward the hoop and seal your defender from the hoop – almost like boxing them out. The guard lobs the ball to you on your way to an easy basket.

Making a living in the paint

There’s no doubt there is a wide range of different moves a post player can use but still, there are fundamentals a player can keep in mind to make the post move they use more successful.

  • Use your body to your advantage. Most of the guys who are going to be on the post player are of the wide body variety. Make sure you shield the defender from the ball and take advantage of size disparities when you have the chance.
  • This sounds simple but keep the ball away from your opponent. Shield the ball – keep elbows, arms, and upper body in the way of the ball. You don’t want it swatted from you when you go to make a move.
  • Don’t be afraid to use your dribble. Too often big men are expected to receive a pass and make one quick move and then to the hoop. Use your dribble to get you into the best position to make a move. Many post moves require you to get position before you can make a move, and even more, are executed after you pick your dribble up.
  • Keep your head up. People will be cutting under the hoop waiting for a pass from a big man who has been stymied at the baseline. Don’t be afraid to use the dish if there is nothing under the hoop.
  • Keep your head up again. You need to know where the ball is at all times to make sure you can take advantage of a sleepy defender. Many of the moves you make will come off of quick passes and quick moves like the drop step.
  • Go to the hoop. Especially at the younger age level, I don’t see enough kids take the ball to the hoop. Yeah, you’re probably going to pay a little bit of a physical price, but 9 times out of 10 you are going to get fouled. Take the ball to the hoop. As a post-guy, you need to be able to take the ball to the hoop to be effective.

The majority of points in higher level basketball are scored from inside 10”. The majority of those are scored from right underneath the hoop. Most players have one of the most important jobs on the offensive court.

Other shots you can learn:

Finger roll – The finger roll is a shot many players use instead of a layup. It requires a bit more finesse to make sure the ball hits the mesh, but it can be effective if you use it from a couple of feet out with a flick of the wrist. When you go in for a lay you can just flick your wrist in front of a defender and it goes up and over the block.

The Dunk – Hey if you can do it, there is no better post-move out there. Drop step and jam – you’ve seen Shaq or David Robinson do it a thousand times – and you’ll see the big guys do it a thousand more.

Foul Shots

Everybody’s nemesis at one point or another, this shot is probably the easiest to practice because it should be the same motion every single time you set up to take a free throw. With practice, every player should be able to hit at least 75 percent of their free throws. In my opinion, there is no reason Shaq only shoots 50 percent. The free throw is easy – I have seen an 85-year-old man sink about 70 in a row. You can do it too!

Learning the free throw:

The first thing you should do is – do the same thing every time. No matter what, and no matter what point in the game it is, and no matter how tired you are – do the same thing every time. Have a routine for making free throws. If you do everything the same each time you get to the foul line there should be no problem with you making each free throw.basketball tips

If you need to shake the rocks out of your shoes or need to bounce the ball 12 times and then spin it in your hands before you shoot, then do it. But do it every time you get to the foul line. When you establish a rhythm that is comfortable for you, you will begin to sink the foul shot on a more regular basis.

With that said, there are a few tips I can offer to make you a better free throw shooter.

  • I know there are people out there who will tell you it’s OK to put one foot in front of the other to shoot free throws because it is more comfortable. I say they are wrong. You need to be square to your target. Square with your shoulders, square with your hips, and square with your feet.
  • Set up at the free throw line with your shooting hand lined up directly with the hoop. This may seem awkward at first, but it is easier to shoot the ball in one fluid motion (set shot) than it is to try and bring the ball to the front of your body before you release it.
  • Take a deep breath and watch the ball go in. Relax and take a nice easy set shot. There is no pressure. It is just a simple set shot
  • I will say this again. Make sure you do the same thing every time you are at the free-throw line. It will make you more comfortable when you are ready to take a shot. Familiarity takes a lot of the pressure off of a big shot.

Free throws will account for a large part of a score sheet when all is said and done. The team that has the highest free throw percentage and has gone to the free throw line the most is often the winner of the game.

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