Kristian Ferrell
The granny shot is a legal shooting style in basketball, but it is rarely used due to the negative perception associated with it. The style, also known as the underhanded free throw, was famously used by NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry, who retired as the all-time leader in free-throw shooting percentage. Despite its proven effectiveness, players often avoid using the granny shot due to concerns about their image and embarrassment, with some considering it uncool or not manly. This perception has led to players refusing to adopt the style, even if it could improve their performance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality | Legal |
| Popularity | Uncommon |
| Reasons for Unpopularity | Perceived as unmanly, embarrassing, and silly |
| Notable Practitioners | Rick Barry, Canyon Barry |
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What You'll Learn
- The granny shot is legal in basketball, but it is unpopular because it is deemed to be an “unmanly” way to shoot
- Some players have tried the granny shot, including Wilt Chamberlain, who made 61% of his free throws using the technique
- Rick Barry, an NBA Hall of Famer, is a proponent of the granny shot and taught it to his son, Canyon Barry
- Canyon Barry is the only one of Rick Barry's five sons to shoot the granny shot
- A scientific analysis has concluded that the granny shot is the optimal way to take a free throw in basketball
The granny shot is legal in basketball, but it is unpopular because it is deemed to be an “unmanly” way to shoot
The "granny shot" in basketball refers to an underhanded free-throw shooting style. While the granny shot is legal in basketball, it is unpopular among players, especially in the NBA, due to its perception as an "unmanly" way of shooting.
The granny shot is considered to be an effective shooting technique. NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry, a proponent of the granny shot, retired as the all-time leader in free-throw shooting percentage in both the NBA and the ABA. Despite its proven effectiveness, the granny shot is rarely used in the NBA due to the perception that it is not a "manly" way to shoot. This perception has been publicly shared by NBA legend and notoriously poor free-throw shooter Shaquille O'Neal, who refused to adopt the granny shot despite advice from Barry, stating that he would shoot "zero percent" before shooting underhanded.
The negative perception of the granny shot as being "unmanly" or sissy has been a significant factor in its lack of adoption by players. The use of the underhanded technique often invites ridicule and is seen as embarrassing, with players expressing concerns about looking silly or not wanting to deviate from the traditional shooting style. This was also the case for Barry, who initially felt self-conscious about using the granny shot as it was associated with how "girls were known to shoot".
The avoidance of the granny shot due to its perceived lack of masculinity has led to a trade-off between maintaining a traditional masculine image and potentially improving performance. While players may prioritize their image and avoid potential ridicule by sticking to the traditional overhand shot, they may be sacrificing the potential benefits of the granny shot, which has been mathematically proven to be a more effective way to shoot.
Despite the stigma surrounding the granny shot, there have been some players who have successfully utilized this technique. In addition to Rick Barry, his youngest son, Canyon Barry, has prominently used the underhanded shooting style in his professional career. Canyon refined the technique to suit modern times, such as holding the ball further away from his body to accommodate longer, baggier basketball uniforms. By embracing the granny shot, Canyon has achieved remarkable success, scoring an average of 86% of his free-throw shots during his last two seasons with the University of Florida Gators, surpassing the NBA average of 76% during the same period.
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Some players have tried the granny shot, including Wilt Chamberlain, who made 61% of his free throws using the technique
The granny shot, or underhanded free throw, is a legal shooting technique in basketball. However, it is often seen as a shameful approach and is not commonly used. Some players have tried the granny shot, the most notable example being Wilt Chamberlain, who made an impressive 61% of his free throws using the technique during the 1961-62 season. This was a significant improvement from his usual free throw percentage of just above 50%.
Chamberlain's use of the granny shot is particularly noteworthy as he was one of the greatest basketball players of all time. During his record-setting 100-point game, he made 28 out of 32 free throws using the granny shot. This was the only game in his entire career where he employed this technique, and it played a crucial role in his historic achievement.
Despite the success Chamberlain found with the granny shot, he ultimately abandoned it due to social pressure and concerns about his masculinity. In his autobiography, Chamberlain expressed that he felt "like a sissy" when shooting underhanded. This sentiment was shared by other players, including Shaquille O'Neal, who infamously rejected the idea of using the granny shot despite his poor free throw shooting percentage.
The decision to prioritize masculine image over performance highlights the complex psychology at play in sports. It also raises questions about the impact of societal expectations and peer pressure on athletes' choices, even when those choices may hinder their success.
While the granny shot has fallen out of favour, there are still some who advocate for its effectiveness. Rick Barry, a career 89.3% free throw shooter, favoured the granny shot and proved its success. His son, Canyon Barry, has also prominently displayed the underhanded shooting style in professional basketball, carrying on the legacy of his father's technique.
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Rick Barry, an NBA Hall of Famer, is a proponent of the granny shot and taught it to his son, Canyon Barry
The granny shot is a legal shooting style in basketball, but it is unpopular due to negative perceptions about its lack of masculinity. NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry, one of the best free-throw shooters in history, is a strong advocate for the granny shot, which he learned from his father and refined during his career. Despite facing initial self-consciousness about the technique as a teenager, Barry went on to have tremendous success with it, retiring as the all-time leader in free-throw percentage in both the NBA and ABA.
Rick Barry's five sons all played professional basketball, but only his youngest, Canyon Barry, has prominently used the granny shot. Canyon initially resisted the style due to its association with femininity and the potential for ridicule from peers. However, he eventually adopted the technique during his senior year of high school, recognising the logic of learning from one of the greatest free-throw shooters ever. Canyon has achieved remarkable accuracy with the granny shot, with an average free throw percentage of 86% during his last two seasons, outperforming the NBA average of 76% during the same period.
Canyon's success with the granny shot continues a family tradition spanning around 50 years and demonstrates the effectiveness of the technique when mastered. While the style may invite ridicule, as seen in the case of Chinanu Onuaku of the Houston Rockets, the accuracy and results achieved by the Barrys challenge the negative perceptions associated with the granny shot.
Despite the proven success of the granny shot, it remains a rarely used technique in basketball, with players prioritising their image and avoiding potential ridicule over the potential benefits of improved accuracy. This reluctance to adopt the granny shot highlights the power of peer pressure and the influence of masculine stereotypes in shaping behaviours and strategies within the sport.
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Canyon Barry is the only one of Rick Barry's five sons to shoot the granny shot
The granny shot is a legal shooting style in basketball, but it is rarely used. NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry is the most prominent player to use the "granny shot", and he is also the only one of his five sons to pass the style down to his son, Canyon Barry.
Rick Barry is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and he led the Golden State Warriors to the championships in 1975. All five of his sons played basketball, including his youngest, Canyon Barry, who played in college. While Rick Barry is known for his underhand free throws, or the "granny shot", his other four sons did not adopt this style of shooting. Canyon Barry, however, did adopt the "granny shot" and has used it throughout his career.
Canyon Barry's decision to use the "granny shot" may be due to the influence of his father, who had more time to work with Canyon on his basketball skills than his other sons. In an interview, Canyon Barry stated that logic dictated that if he had one of the greatest free-throw shooters of all time as his personal coach, he should use the same style. This decision paid off, as Canyon shot 88% from the free-throw line during his senior year at the University of Florida, setting a new school record.
The "granny shot" is often perceived as not being a "manly" way to shoot, which may be why Rick Barry's other sons did not adopt the style. Canyon Barry himself has acknowledged that image is important to people, but he prioritises effectiveness over how he is perceived, stating that it is more important to him to help his team win games than to be considered "macho".
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A scientific analysis has concluded that the granny shot is the optimal way to take a free throw in basketball
The research, led by Madhusudhan Venkadesan of Yale University, considered the chances of the ball going in the basket based on the style, speed, and accuracy of a throw. It found that if the player can control the release angle and speed, the underarm throw has a slightly better chance of going in. This is because, with a typical underarm throw, the ball approaches the net from directly above, resulting in a larger cross-section of the target from the ball's perspective.
However, the underarm throw is not without its challenges. For amateurs with less refined control, the overarm shot is safer as it reduces the risk of the ball going wildly off course. Additionally, the underarm throw is often perceived as less masculine or embarrassing, which may deter players from adopting it.
Despite these social and cultural barriers, some players have found success with the granny shot. NBA legend Rick Barry, a pioneer of the underarm free throw, retired as the all-time leader in free-throw shooting percentage in both the NBA and the ABA. His youngest son, Canyon Barry, has also successfully employed the underarm shooting style in his professional career.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, granny shots are legal in basketball.
The granny shot is considered to be uncool and not manly, which may be why more players don't use it. It also requires players to master two shooting motions, which can be a deterrent.
NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry is known for using the granny shot, and his son Canyon Barry has also used this technique. Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O'Neal also briefly tried the granny shot.
A scientific analysis has shown that the granny shot is the optimal way to take a free throw in basketball, as it can result in marginal gains for professional players.
