Technique increases free-throw shooting
With Air Force struggling at the free-throw line early this season, assistant coach Dave Pilipovich came to coach Jeff Reynolds with a suggestion.
At the end of practices, Air Force puts half its players at one basket and half at the other and, one by one, they shoot free throws. Pilipovich wanted the players around the key to say "Win the game," when the ball was passed to the shooter.
Pilipovich said he got the idea from Michigan coach John Beilein. Reynolds implemented it.
"We want them thinking, ‘Win the game. Win the game. Win the game,'" Reynolds said. "I think it's given our players a little more rhythm and more relaxation and it's keeping it simple, and it's worked for us."
Indeed, after making just 30 of 47 free throws (63.8 percent) in their first two games, the Falcons have hit 70 of 101 (78.2) in their past five heading into tonight's game at Northern Colorado. Air Force made 69.6 percent of its foul shots during the 2007-08 season.
Sophomore guard Evan Washington said players have been staying after practice and shooting more free throws. And some players tweaked their shooting forms in the offseason. Senior guard Anwar
Johnson adjusted his, and he has the highest free-throw percentage on the team this season among players who have taken four or more. Johnson is shooting 78.3 percent from the line (36 for 46) after entering the season a 60.7 percent free-throw shooter.
But while practice and form help, free throws often are more about mental toughness. And now, thanks to Pilipovich, the Falcons have a mental note on which they can lean.
"I think it's created a mentality that when we step up to the line that's what we have to do," Johnson said of the "Win the game" saying.
"Maybe it's a situation where the kids think back to practice and block everything else out," Pilipovich said. "Maybe it relaxes them and calms them down a little bit and therefore leads to better shooting. ... Whether it's helped or not, I don't know. But we've shot free throws better."
