A plea on behalf of 1,000,000 coaches: Practice your free throws

I know it’s the boring part of the sport.  I know it doesn’t win over the fans; you’ll never hear of any “oohs” or “aahs” in reaction.  I know practicing it can be repetitive, tedious and even frustrating, and all without the guarantee of eventual success.  I know there are a plethora of things about it that just plain stink.  I hear you.

But guys, seriously, practice your free throws.

Coaches harp on it every single day, and if I’ve had the privilege of your company for more than 30-minutes you’ve no doubt heard me extolling its virtues.  And yet there are still some fans and even players who don’t buy into the importance of shooting a high percentage from the charity stripe.

Which is fine.  I mean, I certainly understand the relative mundaneness of shooting it again and again from the same spot, without dunking or dribbling between one’s legs or anything.  Where’s the fun in that?  But then, don’t be surprised when you lose to a team of lesser talent because of inadequate free-throw line performance.

Take Muskegon Heights for example, who lost on Tuesday to a Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills team who, while undeniably talented, should not have beaten them.  However, when you shoot a combined 8/22 from the line you’re opening yourself up as a team to be beaten.

With that door open, or even ajar just a smidge, all it takes is a spunky Ottawa Hills team playing loose and with nothing to lose to dethrone a regal champion like Muskegon Heights, who legend had it was untouchable.  At this point in the season the Tigers can luckily recover. But this could as easily happen in March, and prematurely end even the most promising season.

So guys — even (or perhaps especially) those of you who will undoubtedly go on to play at the collegiate level, accomplishing amazing things with a round bouncy-ball and a hoop — after you’re done practicing that turnaround fadeaway, and after you’ve perfected the legendary Shake-n-Bake move, remember to toe the foul line before you head to the showers.

That could be the difference between winning and losing.  Ask Muskegon Heights.

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