YouTube Gold: A New Free Throw Style Emerging?

Could this catch on? Depends on how much it helps.

Basketball has now spread across the world and we’re at the point now where styles have, to an extent, diverged. There is the OG US model, which we’re all used to. The Europeans spawned a much more three point, running attack. In Argentina, the era of greatness produced a type of basketball that could be compared to how Brazilians see soccer - as the beautiful game. When you watch Manu Ginobili, you’ll get it. It was gorgeous basketball, daring and free.

Some things really don’t change much from region to region and chief among them are free throws.

In the days of yore, free throws were shot underhanded. Rick Barry was a very late proponent of the style and over the years, he’s gotten a few younger players here and there to try it. For the most part though, you step up, shoot, and everyone does it pretty much the same way.

Except for the Koreans.

In South Korea, players have begun to bank their free throws in. It’s strange to watch, but it seems effective. There’s a technical explanation in the video, but it comes down to what it always comes down to: whatever works and doesn't look so goofy you would be embarrassed to do it.

Don’t be surprised if someone stateside starts to experiment with this.