Free Throw - Strategy

Strategy

A lot of basketball strategy revolves around free throws and when to foul players. As mentioned earlier, some players are notoriously bad free throw shooters, even star players - historical examples include Wilt Chamberlain, Ben Wallace, and Shaquille O'Neal. This allows a strategy where a team intentionally fouls this player, hoping that they will miss one or both shots and the defending team will re-gain possession of the ball. This strategy was dubbed Hack-a-Shaq when famously used on Shaquille O'Neal. Dwight Howard has been subjected to this strategy as well, as have other players.

It can be advantageous for a trailing team to intentionally foul late in a close game. While this allows the leading team to shoot free throws and increase their lead, it also stops the clock, similar to a time out in football (in basketball, a time out may only be called by a team with possession of the ball). As well, it allows the trailing team the chance to take possession if the second free throw is missed, and if it is made awards possession outright to the trailing team. Therefore, many teams substitute players with high free throw percentages when they are leading late in games to combat this strategy. It is seen as a last resort strategy with little chance of success, but if it is not employed the leading team may run out the clock and end the game.

As well, a team that leads by three late in a game may foul intentionally. If the opposing team has possession with the game clock below 10 seconds, which is not enough time for multiple possessions, and is down three points, the obvious strategy for them is to attempt a three pointer to try to send the game into overtime. The leading team may attempt to foul the trailing team before a shot is attempted. As this leads to only two free throws, which is not enough to tie the game, the trailing team must attempt to intentionally miss the second free throw, secure the offensive rebound (which is harder than normal with free throws, as the defending team is automatically given position), and score before the game clock expires. Theoretically, adopting this strategy makes a leading team four times more likely to win the game than allowing the trailing team to attempt a three pointer.