Helena Frye
In basketball, free throws are unopposed attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line. While there is no rule against shooting underhand, it is uncommon in professional basketball due to the perceived lack of coolness and individuality. Despite this, some players have successfully used the underhand technique, such as Rick Barry, who shot 89.3% of his career free throws using this method.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is underhand throw legal in basketball? | Yes |
| What is an underhand throw called in basketball? | Granny style |
| Who is known for using the underhand throw? | Rick Barry, Wilt Chamberlain, Chinanu Onuaku, Canyon (Rick Barry's son) |
| Why don't more players use the underhand throw? | Fear of ridicule, cultural reasons, lack of pragmatism in basketball culture |
| What are the benefits of the underhand throw? | Marginal gains for professional players, better odds of the ball going in if the player can control the release angle and speed |
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What You'll Learn
Underhand throw is legal in basketball, but players avoid it
In basketball, free throws are unopposed attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line. While the underhand throw, also known as the "granny-style" throw, is perfectly legal in basketball, players tend to avoid using it due to various reasons unrelated to performance.
The underhand throw has been proven to be more effective, and a scientific analysis by Yale University even concluded that using the "granny style" underarm technique is the optimal way to take a free throw in basketball. However, players often refuse to adopt this technique because of the fear of ridicule and the desire to maintain their coolness and individuality. Shaquille O'Neal, for example, famously stated in an interview, "I told Rick Barry I'd rather shoot 0% than shoot underhand. I'm too cool for that."
The underhand throw requires a different shooting stroke than regular shots, and players may be reluctant to master a new technique, especially if they already have a successful overhand shooting style. Additionally, basketball culture values style and expression, and players may prioritize these aspects over a more pragmatic approach.
Some players have successfully used the underhand throw, such as Wilt Chamberlain, who increased his free throw percentage by nearly 11% using this technique, and Rick Barry, who is known for his underhand free throws and had a career free throw percentage of 90%. However, despite the clear improvement, Chamberlain eventually switched back to his regular technique. Overall, while the underhand throw is legal in basketball, players often avoid it due to concerns about style, individuality, and the potential for ridicule.
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Rick Barry, a pioneer of the underhand throw
Rick Barry is widely known for his unorthodox underhand free-throw technique. His career .880 free throw percentage ranks No. 1 in ABA history, and his .900 percentage was the best of any NBA player at the time of his retirement in 1980. Barry was a career 89% FT shooter, ranking him No. 3 in NBA history. He also holds the #8 and #15 spots for the season FT%.
Barry pioneered the underhand throw in the 1960s and 1970s, and despite its effectiveness, the technique has been largely dismissed by other players due to its association with looking uncool or different. Shaquille O'Neal, for example, famously stated that he would “rather shoot 0% than shoot underhand" because he was "too cool" for that style.
Barry's underhand technique was highly effective, and he was even able to teach his son Canyon the technique, who initially refused to adopt it due to potential embarrassment. Canyon eventually came around and achieved an 88% success rate from the line as a senior at the University of Florida.
Despite the success of Rick Barry and his son Canyon, the underhand throw has not gained widespread popularity in the NBA. Players often refuse to adopt it because of the perceived embarrassment or ridicule, despite the potential for improved performance.
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Wilt Chamberlain, another player who used the underhand technique
While underhand free throws, also known as "granny-style" throws, are perfectly legal in basketball, they are not commonly used by players. This is due to the stigma associated with the technique, which is considered "uncool" and embarrassing. However, one player who did use the underhand technique was Wilt Chamberlain, also known as "Wilt the Stilt".
Chamberlain was a dominant force in the paint but struggled with free-throw shooting, converting just 51.1% from the line. During his historic 1961-62 season, where he averaged 50.4 points per game, Chamberlain experimented with the underhand free-throw technique. This decision paid off, as he shot a career-high 61.3% from the line that season. Notably, in his 100-point game, he made 28 out of 32 free throws using the underhand method.
Despite the success of the underhand technique, Chamberlain abandoned it the following season and reverted to his traditional overhand shooting style. In his autobiography, Chamberlain admitted that he never felt comfortable shooting underhand and that it made him feel "silly" and like a "sissy". This discomfort outweighed the benefits of improved accuracy, and Chamberlain was not able to fully embrace the underhand technique, even though it had proven effective for him.
Chamberlain's decision to ultimately forgo the underhand technique highlights the psychological factors that can influence sports performance. While the underhand free throw can lead to better results, players may be deterred by the perceived embarrassment or ridicule associated with it. This case demonstrates how athletes' decisions are influenced by a complex interplay of performance, comfort, and peer pressure.
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Underhand throw is proven to be more effective
Underhand free throws, also known as "granny-style" throws, have been proven to be more effective than overhand throws. This is because, during an underhand throw, the ball approaches the net from directly above, resulting in a larger cross-section of the target from the ball's perspective. Consequently, if the throw is close to the target, it has a very high chance of going in.
Despite this, many basketball players are reluctant to adopt the underhand throw due to the stigma associated with it. Some players believe that it makes them look like a "dork", "sissy", or "less skilled". They would rather focus on the style and individuality embedded in basketball culture than adopt a more effective technique.
NBA player and underhand free-throw pioneer Rick Barry retired in 1980 with a 90% free throw record, ranking first in NBA history at the time. Wilt Chamberlain, another famous player, also experimented with the underhand technique during his career, increasing his free throw percentage by nearly 11% and achieving his career-high of 61.3%. However, he eventually switched back to the traditional overhand technique due to the pressure of his peers and his own perception that the underhand style looked bad or weak.
In modern basketball, there are very few examples of underhanded free throwers. One of them is Chinanu Onuaku, who brought his underhanded shot to the NBA, improving his shooting percentage from 46.7% to 58.9%.
While the underhand throw may be more effective in terms of making the shot, players also consider the ritual and routine of their free-throw shooting. They perform actions that give them confidence and a sense of control. For many, the underhand throw does not provide the same psychological benefits as the overhand throw, which is a significant factor in their decision to stick with the traditional style.
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Social and cultural reasons for not using the underhand throw
While the underhand throw in basketball is not prohibited by any rules, it is rarely used by players due to various social and cultural factors.
One of the primary social reasons for the aversion to the underhand throw is the perceived lack of "coolness" and masculinity associated with it. Some players and fans consider the underhand throw to look “weird," “silly," or “unmanly." This perception of the underhand throw as being less masculine or less aesthetically pleasing may deter players from adopting it, even if it could improve their performance.
Additionally, the underhand throw goes against the grain of basketball's culture of individuality and self-expression. Basketball players often value standing out and showcasing their unique skills and style. As a result, they may be reluctant to adopt a technique that is seen as unconventional or unusual, even if it provides a competitive advantage.
The underhand throw also faces resistance due to the potential for ridicule and peer pressure within the basketball community. Players may fear being mocked or judged by their teammates, coaches, and fans if they deviate from the traditional overhand shooting style. This fear of negative perception can be a powerful deterrent, even if the underhand throw is more effective in certain situations.
Furthermore, the underhand throw's reputation as a “granny shot” or a technique associated with women and children may contribute to its lack of adoption. This nickname carries connotations of weakness or a lack of athleticism, which could influence players' decisions to avoid using it.
Lastly, the underhand throw's decline can be attributed to a generational shift in coaching and muscle memory. Many modern coaches teach the traditional overhand shooting technique, creating a disconnect from the underhand style. This results in a lack of familiarity and practice with the underhand throw among younger players, who are more likely to stick with the techniques they know, even if the underhand throw has proven benefits.
In summary, the underhand throw in basketball is avoided due to a complex interplay of social and cultural factors, including concerns about masculinity and coolness, a desire for self-expression, fear of ridicule, and the influence of coaching traditions and muscle memory. These factors collectively contribute to the underhand throw's rarity in modern basketball, despite its potential effectiveness.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, an underhand throw is legal in basketball. However, it is not commonly used due to the fear of ridicule and concerns about looking uncool or ridiculous.
The underhand throw, also known as the "granny-style" throw, is often perceived as less cool or stylish compared to the traditional overhand throw. Players may prioritize style and individuality over pragmatism, especially at the professional level.
Yes, Rick Barry, who shot his free throws underhanded, is a famous example. He had a successful career, retiring in 1980 with a 90.0% average for successful free throws. Wilt Chamberlain also temporarily switched to an underhand technique and saw an improvement in his free throw percentage.
The underhand throw has been proven to be more effective for some players, potentially increasing their success rate. It can also reduce the risk of injury, as mentioned in a Reddit comment where a user switched to an underhand throw due to wrist pain.
While there are no specific rules mandating the use of an underhand throw, it can be advantageous in certain situations, such as when a player is injured and unable to perform a traditional overhand throw comfortably.
