Constantly Practice New Free-Throw Rule

After years of waiting for the ball to hit the rim on a free throw, now you must condition players to go after rebounds on the release – it all comes down to repetition

WHY USE IT
Your players aren’t used to entering the lane so early on a free throw. Teams not running through these motions in the preseason are more apt to fall asleep and give up an easy rebound during a game.

SET UP
Players align as they normally do on a free-throw attempt. In this instance there are four defenders on the lane but if your team only uses three and drops an extra player back, then do that too [1].

HOW TO PLAY
The free-throw shooter takes the shot and players enter the lane on the release. The defensive players must establish early position because now there is more time for an offensive player to maneuver his or her way into position [2]. Have offensive rebounders also work on stunts in which they circle around inside defenders in the hope to secure the bouncing ball [3].

TECHNIQUE
It all comes down to repetitions at this point. Your players are used to waiting, you need to condition them to be aggressive on the release. Until you feel comfortable with their aggressiveness, yell “Go!” as the ball is released to add another trigger for lane entry.