Therefore, practicing free throw shots while missing the basket frequently without changing the form or mindset might be equivalent to Einstein’s saying about insanity. Thus, players need to find habits that help them practice and perfect their styles of shooting foul shots.
For instance, some players may dribble the ball once before shooting. Other basketball athletes may dribble two or three times before attempting their shots. Other NBA players, like Jason Kidd, wind the ball around his back before making the free-throw shot.
You might wonder, “What’s the purpose of these habits?”
The answer to that question tends to be unique for each player. One NBA athlete might tell you that blowing a kiss to the audience before free-throwing is a way to calm the nerves. After all, foul shots tend to be nerve-wracking, particularly if the team needs the points from the free throws to catch up to opponents.
Remember, basketball games tend to be all about running, jumping, blocking, and making quick decisions. Then, the aura becomes tenser than before as players attempt free throws. At this moment, no one will stop that player from attempting a free shot (hence the name).
Hence, it’s in repetitive movements and constant practice that this specific moment becomes less nerve-wracking.