The Free Throw Shootout is a high-pressure competitive drill where players take turns shooting free throws in a knockout or team-based format. Designed to simulate late-game pressure situations, this drill improves focus, routine consistency, and mental toughness. It can be used as a tiebreaker, end-of-practice competition, or team challenge to build intensity and accountability from the line.
Objectives
- Perfecting the Free-Kick.
- Work routines before the Free Kick.
- Habituate to the launch of the Free-Throw with a psychological burden extra.
Recommended age
- From 12 years onwards.
Number of players
- Challenge group that can be played from 2 players two teams.
- Playable also with 3-4 teams.
Recommended time
- A single round of 5 minutes. You can last longer in case you do not have good shooters of Free-Throws (or according to the number of players).
Equipment and facilities
- 1 ball of basketball courts and a half Basketball court (or field as a whole).
- 1 basketball player in the case of COVID-19 (see games adapted to the situation of COVID-19).
Initial layout and description of Free Throw Penalty Shootout
Form two teams (you may already be formed, in case of 5×5 just before). This gives a plus of rivalry if they keep the computers that were already made.
Before you start, you set the shifts of equipment. This can be done two captains, either talking or playing a quick game of rock, paper, scissors.
Once certain shifts (both teams as of release in each team), the game starts.
First, launch a player of the first team. Then launch another player from the other team and they will be replaced so on.
Once you have released all the players, we will look at the score from free kicks and there will be a winning team. In case of tie, will continue to be throwing free throws until you undo the tie. It is essential to note that the two teams will have to make the same number of pitches.
The team lost you will need to perform some physical loading. We might think that being a return to calm is a little less convenient, but for the players of that team return to the calm of the will in the stretch.
Variants
- The players of the team that no spear can make noise while you are preparing to pull the player of the opponent team.
- Launch the free throws two at a time (2 players on the team and then the 2 players from team B, and so on).
- Penalty loaded: If a team fails a free throw, you will need to dial the next to continue to compete. In case of failure of a second free throw, the team will lose.
Cedric Arregui Guivarch
National Coach of Basketball (CES 2014)
