Uncommon Free Throw Shooting Rituals
john geoffrey dacanay November 2nd, 2006 (Visited 10389 times)
Some basketball players have strange free throw shooting routines. There are a number of reasons why they perform this act: they're meant to simply have a good grip of the ball (it can get real wet at times during the game), to establish a signature style, to improve free throw shooting, or being plainly superstitious. Who are these players? Let's check it out!
Reggie Miller would dip his hands into a bucket of powder (it's really salt) so he can have a better grip on the ball, 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 it fly. This was his free throw routine every time he went to the 15 foot line.
If only the NBA implemented an 8-second free throw shooting limit on ex-Utah Jazz and LA Laker star Karl Malone, he wouldn't have been able to make it in the nick of time. Malone takes a very long time to shoot his free throws and normally would exhaust the 10-second limit on shooting free throws. The routine is more superstitious than anything else. Karl Malone could be seen mouthing or uttering what appears to be a prayer (he refuses to tell reporters what he's actually saying) right before he shoots the ball.
Jeff Hornacek, who was one of the game's best perimeter shooters during his time, also has a strange free throw shooting antic. Whenever he shot free throws, he would bounce the ball a certain number of times, then rub his cheek with his right hand. This cheek-rubbing thing has made Hornacek one of the most colorful personalities in the NBA during his time. To prove his free throw shooting drama was effective, he has made 67 consecutive free throws, sixth-longest streak in NBA history and has shot 88% from the line during his entire 15-year career that included stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz and the Phoenix Suns.
Gilbert Arenas' free throw shooting routine would include circling the ball around his waist before attempting a shot. This is the same routine used by Marlou Aquino when attempting a free throw. So far it has worked for Arenas. I can't say the same for Marlou Aquino. Arenas has been shooting better than 80% from the free throw line in his career.
Ex-Ginebra and Shell player Rudy Distrito would slightly bend his right knee before making a free throw. This was a routine used by the "Destroyer" every time he visits the 15 ft area.
Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki has what some see as a strange ritual - he sometimes hums David Hasselhoff’s song “Looking For Freedom,” which was a big hit when he was a kid in Germany, as he shoots free throws.
Jason Kidd blows a kiss to his wife Jumana and his family prior to shooting free throws. Jason could not remember when he started his free throw shooting routine. “I started doing it and making some free throws so I continued to do it. I do it not just because of habit but to let my wife know I’m thinking about her.” It is said to bring him good luck during the games.
Detroit's Richard "Rip" Hamilton, Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash, LA Lakers' Lamar Odom and Dallas Mavericks' Jerry Stackhouse quite also have their own styles of shooting free throws.
Rip Hamilton dribbles to the side. He breathes, dribbles twice down and one to the side before attempting a shot.
Steve Nash licks his fingers and pulls back his hair before shooting a freebie. He still does the finger-licking but not the pulling back of hair because he has cut them short last offseason.
Lamar Odom has a very low dribble free throw routine that is awkward-looking. The same can be said of Jerry Stackhouse's low squat free throw routine that is surprisingly effective.
In his two PBA stints here, ex-Purefoods import Lenny Cooke always has amused fans because he appeared to be smelling his armpit prior to taking a shot at the free throw area. He really was kissing the tatooed image of Jesus Christ on his right upper arm.
Ex-Tanduay import (1987) Freeman Williams was shooting free throws at the right side of the circled 15-foot line, or a complete 45 degree angle from the center of the free throw area.
Ex-West Craven player Tony Jones has one of the most involved rituals at the free-throw line. The guard takes the ball from the referee, stands all the way in the left corner, dribbles the ball eight times, shuffles it around his back, spins the ball and then — finally — attempts his shot. He began the process early in his senior season after missing quite a few shots. After the season, his free throw shooting improved dramatically that he appeared intent on performing this act every time out.
But none of these probably compare to the free throw shooting act of Greg "Bo" Kimble. Kimble, a natural right-hander, always shoots his first free throw left-handed in memory of and as a tribute to his best friend and teammate Hank Gathers. Gathers, who was a prospective NBA first round draft pick, collapsed and died of a heart condition in LMU's semifinal against Portland during the 1990 West Coast Conference tournament.
Kimble carried the scoring load for Loyola Marymount averaging over 35 points per game to led his 11th seeded team on an amazing run to the conference finals that included a convincing win over defending champion Michigan. Gathers was also a natural right-hander but began to shoot free throws left-handed after struggling for some time shooting free throws right-handed.
Kimble was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 8th overall pick of the 1990 NBA Draft. He lasted only 3 seasons in the NBA averaging 6.9 ppg in forgettable stints with the LA Clippers and Knicks in a career plagued by injuries.
Do you know other players who have odd free throw shooting techniques?
Picture Credit: NBA.COM
Tags: free throw shooting routines, Reggie Miller, Karl Malone, Jeff Hornacek, Gilbert Arenas, Marlou Aquino, Rudy Distrito, Dirk Nowitzki, David Hasselhoff, Looking For Freedom, Jason Kidd, Richard "Rip" Hamilton, Steve Nash, Lamar Odom, Jerry Stackhouse, Tony Jones, Greg "Bo" Kimble, Hank Gathers
November 2nd, 2006 09:00
Blen (John Knight) and I have a fellow alum, Capt. of the 91 (or 92?) Mapua Cardinals Gary Topacio, who used to shoot it from the side of the free throw line.
Actually, I think he was just showing off. Typical. :D
November 2nd, 2006 10:08
Marlou Aquino
Circling the ball to the back and front before throwing
Karl Malone
Wishpering " sana pumasok ito" before throwing the ball
November 2nd, 2006 13:03
Mark Jackson point guard of Indiana Pacers he rises his arm to aim the ring.
Early days of Jojo lastimosa the way he shoot ball by twisting his arm over his head before he release it.
November 2nd, 2006 14:56
In addition to the cheek-rubbing of Jeff Hornacek, "Horny" used that to "say hi" to his kids, when his family is watching on TV.
Another shooting ritual (or should I say form) is Anthony Mason's unique one-handed shot at the line. After dribbling the ball, he uses his right hand as his guide by pointing all five fingers at the basket and lets his left hand do the thing. I think he was a 75+% free throw shooter, which is not bad for a forward.
A ritual that I remember the most is Alonzo Mourning's kissing of his wristband, that eventually uses it to wipe his forehead afterwards.
November 2nd, 2006 22:18
Samboy Lim used to mess up his hair before he takes a shot. I think I read it somewhere that he does that to say hi to his kids, not sure.
November 10th, 2006 00:16
On another side of 'weird' shooting habits...
Anthony Mason's 'unique' free throw shooting was suggested by a shooting coach, since his hand that guides the ball interferes with how he releases the ball with his shooting hand.
Tony Parker was also instructed to place the thumb of his shooting hand farther away from the rest of his fingers to correct a nasty spin that it inflicts on the ball when he shoots.
Also, try observing Shaq when he takes a free throw -- he holds the ball with the tip of his fingers. His gigantic hands causes him to have problems releasing the ball when he 'palms' it.
February 12th, 2008 19:53
try searching "Chuck Hayes Free throw" on youtube to sum up all your bets... ^^
April 11th, 2008 11:18
May 24th, 2008 01:01
November 18th, 2008 14:07
March 5th, 2009 12:14
Teyshawn prince puts his hand on his face as if he was really thinking hard about shooting the free throw
December 27th, 2009 23:08
Jhonny that was a great shot looking at ball while smiling for victory.