Here are a few free throw drills and challenges (individual and team) for players when you want to do something besides “go shoot 20 free throws”.

These drills add progress tracking, pressure, and unique scoring that make them more focused, engaging, and interesting for players.

Try them out and let me know what you think!

NOTE: Don’t forget the HC Master Playbook/Drill Book raises from $10 to $20 on TOMORROW!

1. Streaks FTs

   1. Put 3 minutes on the clock

   2. One player shoots free throws for 3 minutes in a row

   3. Whatever the highest STREAK is before the clock goes out…is your score.

   4. If you want, you can allow players to keep shooting if they have a streak of 5+ at the buzzer

2. Free Throw Golf

   1. Player shoots 18 free throws

   2. Swish = birdie (-1), make with rim = par (0), miss = bogey (+1)

   3. Low score wins

3. Bubba FTs

   1. Put 80-80 on the scoreboard.

   2. If you make the free throw, you get 1 point. If you miss, your “opponent” gets 2 points.

   3. Play to 100.

   4. To increase difficulty, give the opponent +3, +4, and so on

   5. You can do this one individually or as a team/small group

4. 16-in-6

   1. Shoot a 1-and-1.

   2. If you miss the first shot, do a weak hand 4-touch/suicide.

   3. If you make the first shot and miss the second shot, run 2 up and backs (while dribbling with weak hand).

   4. If you make both, run 1 up and back (while dribbling with weak hand).

   5. The goal is to make 16 free throws in 6 minutes.

5. Basket Game

   1. This is ideal for when you have a decent amount of players and if your gym has 6 rims.

   2. Spread players out - when a player makes a free throw, they rotate to the next basket. If they miss, they have to go back to where they started.

   3. The goal is to make 6 free throws in a row (one at each basket). When a player does this, they go to the winner’s circle (half court).

   4. Once you have 2, 4, or 6 players (or however many you want) in the circle, you have a shootout.

P.S. - Whenever you’re ready, there are a few ways I can help you as a coach!

1. Hoops Companion Master Playbook/Drill Book with over 600 pages of plays and drills

2. Hoops Companion Ultimate Bundle - $63 value for $40 - Master Playbook/Drill Book, Program Audit, Creating Your Coaching Portfolio Course (self-paced), 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Playbook, Forms and Templates

3. Follow us on social media (we are everywhere)

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