How To Fix Dwight Howard's Free Throw Shooting

[MitchellUK]

Magic fan here (it seems like you've been flooded with us already, but I just had something to add) - the problem OP observed in his mechanics is the problem he has right now. I think it was Mark Price (it may have been any one of the other myriad of coaches we had work with him) who pointed out that he doesn't stick with a free throw motion for any length of time. Week-to-week, game-to-game, even consecutive free throws in the same game, his shooting motion changes constantly. I think the general opinion is that it's psychological now - he's too far in his own head when he steps to the stripe in game situations. I don't think it's completely unfixable, you can never say never, but the odds if him becoming even an average free throw shooter now seem very slim.

[lakerz12]

Magic fan here (it seems like you've been flooded with us already, but I just had something to add) - the problem OP observed in his mechanics is the problem he has right now. I think it was Mark Price (it may have been any one of the other myriad of coaches we had work with him) who pointed out that he doesn't stick with a free throw motion for any length of time. Week-to-week, game-to-game, even consecutive free throws in the same game, his shooting motion changes constantly. I think the general opinion is that it's psychological now - he's too far in his own head when he steps to the stripe in game situations. I don't think it's completely unfixable, you can never say never, but the odds if him becoming even an average free throw shooter now seem very slim.

Here's a video from 2010:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kexL_Hh2_04[/youtube]

He's still doing the exact same thing...

Have you ever seen him shoot in one fluid motion without the knees locking, pausing, elbow stopping, etc.?

I haven't . .

He may switch his arm release but he's always had this flaw I'm talking about

[EArl]

Cut off his hands and replace them with Larry Birds's. White mans hands on black mans body.

[rand0m]

I agree his mechanics (legs) are the problem but easier said then done to get the guy to go against a lifelong habit, especially during an nba game. Dwight is among many who struggle with this problem even with the best shooting coaches at hand. I do hope your campaign goes well though.

[Michael Lucky]

The guy has been working on them every year he's been in the league. At this point i'm fine with him going with the motion he used in orlando that had him shoot 60% from the FT throughout the year. Seems like changing his FT release just makes things worse.

[tiderulz]

I doubt he does what I'm talking about it practice. He probably just shoots better in practice with his mechanical focus on hands and arms because there is no pressure on him. In the game, that method falls apart because it's too technical and unnatural.

I am surprised if no one has showed him this either.

There are 2 options: 1) They have showed him and he is unable to implement it, 2) They haven't showed him

I believe it is more likely no one has showed him because it is not difficult to implement

Regarding making millions and other big men, this is a problem I have only noticed glaringly in Dwight and Blake Griffin. It isn't a problem with all bad FT shooters, they have other problems.

And, there would be little use for me after I show him what he's doing wrong .. it's a simple fix that just needs a lot of practicing after it's recognized and implemented

if it is not that difficult to implement, why do you believe that people who are paid for results havent been able to implement it with him. Someone who is paid to help a ball player increase his FT% can do it, but you can? someone who's job it is to break down a players mechanics with regards to this cant see what you do? and you claim it is obvious and easy, so why dont they see it?

With regards to practice, he shots hundreds of FT's in practice, sometimes over a thousand, and had fine results and mechanics, but it all goes away come game time. Again, with him it seems to be mental no one has been able to conquer with him.

[jdkmagic]

I still agree with OP that I don't think anyone has shown him.

The reason I say this is because... I've watched Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic every year without question for the duration of his career.

That's 8 **** years. 8 years... and I never once heard any coach make mention of it. I never heard a Magic commentator say anything. I've never seen an ESPN "analyst" mention it either. Even the current person working with him, Chuck Person, makes absolutely no mention of it despite the fact that he disected/analyzed Dwight's free throw shooting in the press, as evidenced by the quote below.

Howard used to set up at the line with the ball at his waist. Now he starts a bit below his chin. Person also worked to change Howard’s unorthodox release. ‘He would start low and come up and stop the ball in front of his eyes. He only had one eye on the ball so he would move his head to the left, which would make his right elbow come out,’ Person said. ‘He was basically shooting sideways. He would put his thumb on the ball so his rotation was improper every time.’ Sounds like a problem. ‘We lifted the ball straight up, his elbow just below his eye level, so now he clearly has both eyes on the rim,’ Person said. ‘It relaxes his upper body.’”

I'm pretty sure nobody has ever told him, and if they have, they haven't stressed it enough. lol... ridiculous.

[rand0m]

If he is consistently shooting significantly better in practice then it has to be mental

[jdkmagic]

That is simply not true.

Because of the flawed technique, there is no doubt that it's a mental problem at this point. But that is not the main culprit.

It is a basketball fundamental that when you shoot, you jump. When you shoot free throws, you bend your knees and release while coming back up.

Shooting power is supposed to come from your legs, not your arms. That is where the consistensy comes from.

I'm sorry that you don't realize that, and that apparently people getting paid millions of dollars don't either.

What the hell happened to the NBA? Why are fundamentals such a **** rocket science?

[lakerz12]

^^^^

Thank you jdkmagic, I agree with you 100%

...

tiderulz, I already answered your question and jdkmagic did it again... we don't think anyone has showed him the specific problem we are addressing.

Your argument that since they are highly paid and knowledgeable coaches that surely they have shown him every possible solution, etc. just doesn't hold any water in this case...the fact is right in front of you that he still has the same glaring mistake he has had his whole career

So, (as I already said), either they showed him and Dwight fails to implement it or they haven't shown him . .

I believe it is more likely they haven't shown him since it is not difficult to fix (unless you think it's impossible for Dwight to ever show signs of releasing the ball in one motion without locking his knees, pausing, then shooting with wrist only?)

Dwight would have to have a serious twitch like Charles Barkley's golf swing to be unable to implement this simple change.

Maybe he does, I just think it's much more likely he isn't aware of the true problem.

Chuck Pearsons is talking about the head position, elbow position, etc. .. that isn't the main culprit . maybe he's so engulfed in knowledge of the shooting stroke that he has lost his common sense and ability to recognize the most simple problem

[Kobean]

You can't really say what happened to the nba there have always been bad free throw shooters Wilt Chamberlain shot 51% from the line....

[Orium]

You're focusing too much on the flawed bio-mechanics and ignoring the underlying cause. He's straightening his knees and pausing because he's over thinking the shot at the last second. Over thinking the shot is due to a lack of confidence. Dwight's entire game relies solely on his freakish athleticism and the instincts that accompany it. Any time his head gets involved he only suffers.

Dwight needs a shrink, not a shooting coach.

[lakerz12]

You're focusing too much on the flawed bio-mechanics and ignoring the underlying cause. He's straightening his knees and pausing because he's over thinking the shot at the last second. Over thinking the shot is due to a lack of confidence. Dwight's entire game relies solely on his freakish athleticism and the instincts that accompany it. Any time his head gets involved he only suffers.

Dwight needs a shrink, not a shooting coach.

It's a combination of the two.

If he does what we're suggesting, he will immediately improve and his confidence will grow.

The reason his confidence is so low is probably because his coaches are having him mess around with his elbow and eye position, etc. Trying to focus on all those little technical things is debilitating him at the line

You're proposition that the reason he's pausing is because he's over thinking is just conjecture at best. None of us can look inside Howard's mind and conclude the psychological reasons he's doing things.

The clear physiological cause that we can clearly see is the pausing.

I don't think his mental block is so severe that he could not fix the pause .. I think it is more likely he just isn't aware that the pause is the problem.

If he was, then his shooting coaches and him would be pointing to the pause as the problem, not the position of his elbow, etc. unless they were conspiring together to cover it up.

Which is more likely? Unaware OR conspiracy to hide the problem?

[Orium]

You're focusing too much on the flawed bio-mechanics and ignoring the underlying cause. He's straightening his knees and pausing because he's over thinking the shot at the last second. Over thinking the shot is due to a lack of confidence. Dwight's entire game relies solely on his freakish athleticism and the instincts that accompany it. Any time his head gets involved he only suffers.

Dwight needs a shrink, not a shooting coach.

It's a combination of the two.

If he does what we're suggesting, he will immediately improve and his confidence will grow.

The reason his confidence is so low is probably because his coaches are having him mess around with his elbow and eye position, etc. Trying to focus on all those little technical things is debilitating him at the line

You're proposition that the reason he's pausing is because he's over thinking is just conjecture at best. None of us can look inside Howard's mind and conclude the psychological reasons he's doing things.

The clear physiological cause that we can clearly see is the pausing.

I don't think his mental block is so severe that he could not fix the pause .. I think it is more likely he just isn't aware that the pause is the problem.

If he was, then his shooting coaches and him would be pointing to the pause as the problem, not the position of his elbow, etc. unless they were conspiring together to cover it up.

Which is more likely? Unaware OR conspiracy to hide the problem?

With as many shooting coaches that he's had over the years you don't think any of them have noticed a fundamental glitch in his legs? As soon as you show him what's wrong with his legs, he'll start focusing on his legs during the shot. Presto, like magic, something else will go wrong. He shouldn't be thinking about his legs or any bio-mechanics when he steps to the line. He shouldn't be thinking period.

[lakerz12]

You're focusing too much on the flawed bio-mechanics and ignoring the underlying cause. He's straightening his knees and pausing because he's over thinking the shot at the last second. Over thinking the shot is due to a lack of confidence. Dwight's entire game relies solely on his freakish athleticism and the instincts that accompany it. Any time his head gets involved he only suffers.

Dwight needs a shrink, not a shooting coach.

It's a combination of the two.

If he does what we're suggesting, he will immediately improve and his confidence will grow.

The reason his confidence is so low is probably because his coaches are having him mess around with his elbow and eye position, etc. Trying to focus on all those little technical things is debilitating him at the line

You're proposition that the reason he's pausing is because he's over thinking is just conjecture at best. None of us can look inside Howard's mind and conclude the psychological reasons he's doing things.

The clear physiological cause that we can clearly see is the pausing.

I don't think his mental block is so severe that he could not fix the pause .. I think it is more likely he just isn't aware that the pause is the problem.

If he was, then his shooting coaches and him would be pointing to the pause as the problem, not the position of his elbow, etc. unless they were conspiring together to cover it up.

Which is more likely? Unaware OR conspiracy to hide the problem?

With as many shooting coaches that he's had over the years you don't think any of them have noticed a fundamental glitch in his legs? As soon as you show him what's wrong with his legs, he'll start focusing on his legs during the shot. Presto, like magic, something else will go wrong. He shouldn't be thinking about his legs or any bio-mechanics when he steps to the line. He shouldn't be thinking period.

I'm not sure if they have. I would like to think that they have, but operating on the evidence we have (that he still shows the same glaring flaw for the past 8 years, and all his shooting coaches talk about is elbow position, etc.) it suggests that they haven't... this argument of yours has already been exhausted by other people and it's really weak and based on nothing except a belief that experts must be incapable of mistake

It's not just his legs. It's the extension of the legs, the pause, the stopping of his elbow, and the all wrist release. It's the whole wrong sequencing and rhythm.

There is no reason to think that making one motion will cause something else to go wrong.

i'm not asking him to change technical positions, I'm just asking him to use them all at once without pause

That will not have any effects on technical positions. .it will just make them work together to result in good distance control

As far as thinking about nothing...sorry if you don't think at all you're still going to revert to the same bad habits of pausing, etc. or whatever your deal is.

That's why professional athletes spend years perfecting their technique. So that once it is ingrained as habit and muscle memory, then they can "not think" because it is now natural and in their subconscious.

Dwight can't do that yet. He needs to practice and ingrain the single motion rhythm, then he can stop thinking and make shots

[Orium]

With as many shooting coaches that he's had over the years you don't think any of them have noticed a fundamental glitch in his legs? As soon as you show him what's wrong with his legs, he'll start focusing on his legs during the shot. Presto, like magic, something else will go wrong. He shouldn't be thinking about his legs or any bio-mechanics when he steps to the line. He shouldn't be thinking period.

I'm not sure if they have. I would like to think that they have, but operating on the evidence we have (that he still shows the same glaring flaw for the past 8 years, and all his shooting coaches talk about is elbow position, etc.) it suggests that they haven't... this argument of yours has already been exhausted by other people and it's really weak and based on nothing except a belief that experts must be incapable of mistake

It's not just his legs. It's the extension of the legs, the pause, the stopping of his elbow, and the all wrist release. It's the whole wrong sequencing and rhythm.

There is no reason to think that making one motion will cause something else to go wrong.

i'm not asking him to change technical positions, I'm just asking him to use them all at once without pause

That will not have any effects on technical positions. .it will just make them work together to result in good distance control

As far as thinking about nothing...sorry if you don't think at all you're still going to revert to the same bad habits of pausing, etc. or whatever your deal is.

That's why professional athletes spend years perfecting their technique. So that once it is ingrained as habit and muscle memory, then they can "not think" because it is now natural and in their subconscious.

Dwight can't do that yet. He needs to practice and ingrain the single motion rhythm, then he can stop thinking and make shots

You, like every shooting coach he's had, can break down his form all you want and get nowhere. Dwight is a nervous wreck at the line because he's a nervous wreck in life. He's a scared little boy, and thinking that his free throws are the cause of all of that is the same mistake that Dwight makes. Get Dwight to stop being a nervous wreck and he'll blossom into the offensive player Orlando always wanted him to be.

He needs a shrink, or the right women to calm those nerves of his.

Edit:
As recently as the lockout Dwight was shooting 80%+ with his shooting coach, and he's not bending his knees at all. Sorry, but it's a head thing.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_cg08SXrQ0[/youtube]

[Timo Cruz]

His form at least looks a lot better than Shaq.

Shaq looked like he was shooting a dumbbell for a free throw

[lakerz12]

With as many shooting coaches that he's had over the years you don't think any of them have noticed a fundamental glitch in his legs? As soon as you show him what's wrong with his legs, he'll start focusing on his legs during the shot. Presto, like magic, something else will go wrong. He shouldn't be thinking about his legs or any bio-mechanics when he steps to the line. He shouldn't be thinking period.

I'm not sure if they have. I would like to think that they have, but operating on the evidence we have (that he still shows the same glaring flaw for the past 8 years, and all his shooting coaches talk about is elbow position, etc.) it suggests that they haven't... this argument of yours has already been exhausted by other people and it's really weak and based on nothing except a belief that experts must be incapable of mistake

It's not just his legs. It's the extension of the legs, the pause, the stopping of his elbow, and the all wrist release. It's the whole wrong sequencing and rhythm.

There is no reason to think that making one motion will cause something else to go wrong.

i'm not asking him to change technical positions, I'm just asking him to use them all at once without pause

That will not have any effects on technical positions. .it will just make them work together to result in good distance control

As far as thinking about nothing...sorry if you don't think at all you're still going to revert to the same bad habits of pausing, etc. or whatever your deal is.

That's why professional athletes spend years perfecting their technique. So that once it is ingrained as habit and muscle memory, then they can "not think" because it is now natural and in their subconscious.

Dwight can't do that yet. He needs to practice and ingrain the single motion rhythm, then he can stop thinking and make shots

You, like every shooting coach he's had, can break down his form all you want and get nowhere. Dwight is a nervous wreck at the line because he's a nervous wreck in life. He's a scared little boy, and thinking that his free throws are the cause of all of that is the same mistake that Dwight makes. Get Dwight to stop being a nervous wreck and he'll blossom into the offensive player Orlando always wanted him to be.

He needs a shrink, or the right women to calm those nerves of his.

Edit:
As recently as the lockout Dwight was shooting 80%+ with his shooting coach, and he's not bending his knees at all. Sorry, but it's a head thing.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_cg08SXrQ0[/youtube]

My solution is really simple.. I'm not breaking down his form .. His form is fine the way it is, he just needs to shoot in one motion instead of pausing and shooting with all wrist

You seem to have a deep understanding of Dwight's psyche, maybe you want to be his shrink?

Regarding the video...The reason he isn't bending is knees is because they are focusing solely on his arm and wrist positioning and release. It's more of a rehearsal than an actual real free throw that he is doing in that video

And you do nothing but prove my point further in that video, because not using his legs and one motion he may shoot 80% in practice but he shoots like crap in games because its very hard to produce consistent results with that technique

[Orium]

Regarding the video...The reason he isn't bending is knees is because they are focusing solely on his arm and wrist positioning and release. It's more of a rehearsal than an actual real free throw that he is doing in that video

And you do nothing but prove my point further in that video, because not using his legs and one motion he may shoot 80% in practice but he shoots like crap in games because its very hard to produce consistent results with that technique

You're a master of contradiction aren't you? 80% but its hard to produce consistent results with that. 80%. Not consistent. 80%. Heavens no, don't do that during a game. Do it my way. 80%.

It doesn't translate to a real game BECAUSE HE'S A MENTAL MIDGET. You'll learn this soon enough Lakers fans.

[lakerz12]

Regarding the video...The reason he isn't bending is knees is because they are focusing solely on his arm and wrist positioning and release. It's more of a rehearsal than an actual real free throw that he is doing in that video

And you do nothing but prove my point further in that video, because not using his legs and one motion he may shoot 80% in practice but he shoots like crap in games because its very hard to produce consistent results with that technique

You're a master of contradiction aren't you? 80% but its hard to produce consistent results with that. 80%. Not consistent. 80%. Heavens no, don't do that during a game. Do it my way. 80%.

It doesn't translate to a real game BECAUSE HE'S A MENTAL MIDGET. You'll learn this soon enough Lakers fans.

No, I'm not contradicting anything.

For one, he probably shot better around that video period because he wasn't pausing his elbow and shooting just with his wrist. His form actually looks better in that video. Now, if he made it a real shot and one motion starting with his lower body, he would have a good consistent free throw.

If he can do that method and shoot 80% in games then go ahead! That's fine. But has he? No, because that method won't hold up in the game because under PRESSURE it is tough to judge distance consistently with arms only. He was just rehearsing the stroke in that video, he was probably bending his knees at least somewhat when they counted his 80%.

How can you debate this when you can put 1000s of good free throw shooters next to Dwight and not one single person will lock their knees, pause their elbow, and shoot with wrist only???

And yet Dwight does, but NO that can't be the problem .. it's all his mental game .. .

I may well be his mental hesitation that is causing him to pause .. fine, how are you going to fix that?

you're not offering any solutions

I am offering the solution that he should at least try to make 1 single motion (the correct technique) since no one seems to be telling him this ..

You love to try to poke little holes in my argument and say Dwight is a mental midget .. well where does that leave us? Still a broken problem.

So offer a solution or go somewhere else instead of trying to tear down those of us who actually have a possible solution and are trying to share it, thanks.