Bankshot free throw trend in South Korea

[Utopia]

All this talk of Lovering’s awful FT shooting just reminded me of this video I saw a while back about a trend of South Korean players switching to bankshot free throws resulting in a substantial improvement. This style seems especially effective for big men who shoot a heavy shot and lack touch because bankshots increase the margin for error. This all seems exactly applicable to Lovering.

[//r00t4Utes]

I have said it before about Lovering. The last time I remember him masking 2 FTs in a row was when he banked them.

I was hoping it was something he was going to start doing. Sadly, he has not.

I know players think it’s too embarrassing because it’s not what everyone else is doing, but what’s even more embarrassing is shooting under 40%. And I hadn’t looked out up, but since conference play started, I’m positive he’s shooting under 30%

[SteelUte]

Malcolm Gladwell did a podcast years ago about foul shots. Interviewed Rick Barry who shot the granny shot. Rick convinced Wilt Chamberlain to shoot that way for a while and his % skyrocketed, but he the teasing and laughs made him switch back. He said if he would have stuck with it he would have been the all time leading scorer hands down. I wonder why more people don’t do it!

[Utopia]

I think in large part because the mechanics of the granny shot are so singular and different from all other shooting mechanics, which almost all involve some form of overhead extension + wrist flick. The bankshot method would seem to be a much better alternative/compromise as it still uses the conventional shooting motion with just a slight adjustment. You wouldn’t have to learn completely new mechanics (how many granny shot experts/coaches are there?) and it mostly avoids the “goofyness” issue.

[BleedsRedUte]

I think Loverings mechanics are actually pretty good and he shoots it fairly straight, as evidenced by his bank shots (accidental?) falling sometimes. He has very strong arms and hands, which is a good thing in general for rebounding, catching and passing, etc. Just not good touch in harnessing that strength for shooting.

IMHO, if he stood further back from the basket and did everything the same, his percentage would improve. Start practicing a foot back, foot and a half, two foot, until he finds a sweet spot. I have seen quite a few players that used this method.

I think he hits the back of the rim most often, and is hardly ever short. My two cents.

But yes, I think it is true that the Utes, who are playing pretty good defense, would have a few more wins if they could have hit foul shots a higher percentage of the time. Even Ausar has improved and it is making a difference.

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