Free Throw: 7 Steps to Success at the Free Throw Line [Paperback]

Tom Amberry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 13, 1996

On November 15, 1993, a white-haired, 72-year-old gentleman named Dr. Amberry stepped up to the free throw line and into the Guinness Book of World Records by sinking 2,750 shots in a row. He ended his 12-hour streak without a miss, stopping only because they had to close the gym for the night.

In Free Throw, he reveals his secrets. Beginning with the proper mechanics of the shot, he then explains the importance of the mental game and shares his techniques to help players stay on target even while under pressure. Combining these mental and physical elements, he presents a unique and straightforward 7-step method that teaches readers how to become a 90% free throw shooter.

The free throw is the Achilles heel of the basketball player -- many players are great from the floor but lousy at the line. Free Throw is the only book to address this important skill. Clearly written, with principles that are easy to put into practice, it is an indispensable manual for all basketball players and coaches.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Tom Amberry was a podiatrist for 40 years, publishing many articles about various aspects of his profession. On November 15, 1993, following his retirement, Dr. Amberry shot his way into The Guinness Book of Records by sinking 2,750 free throws in a row. Since then he has become internationally known as, in the words of one announcer, "the best free throw shooter ever to touch a basketball." Dr. Amberry travels constantly, teaches shooting clinics and makes frequent radio and TV appearances. He has been featured on NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, ESPN, Dateling, Day One, The Late Show with David Letterman, NBA Inside Stuff, and ABCs World News Tonight. On his college basketball team, Tom Amberry was twice the nation's high scorer. He was an All-American two years in a row, turning down a two-year, no-cut contract with the Lakers to pursue a career in medicine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; 1 edition (September 13, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062734342
• ISBN-13: 978-0062734341
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #530,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Readable, concise, enjoyable - and it works!, July 17, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Somerset, Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Free Throw: 7 Steps to Success at the Free Throw Line (Paperback)

Dr. Tom Amberry and Philip Reed have provided us with the key to success at free throw shooting. This book is easy to read - I provided it to middle and junior high school boys at my basketball camp. The text is concise and enjoyable, filled with important lessons that can help in basketball and in life. Dr. Amberry teaches us how to focus and concentrate on the process not the results. This is something that is important to players, coaches, and to each of us in our lives. For those that need additional support, Dr. Amberry's video "Make Every Free Throw" provides his lessons in an excellent visual format. As a coach and teacher, I would and do highly recommend "Free Throw" to everyone. It is the most influential book in my coaching career. Not only do his ideas make sense- they work!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Tom Amberry Is Also The Doctor Of Free Throws, October 13, 2002

By 

JAMES H. LISTER (DENTON, MARYLAND USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Free Throw: 7 Steps to Success at the Free Throw Line (Paperback)

Dr. Tom Amberry has written one of the best books on the psychological and physical mechanics analysis of basketball free throw shooting. Unlike some instructors he doesn't over-intellectualize the free throw shot: which creates the impairment of "analysis paralysis".
He was in his seventies when he originally sank 2,750 consecutive free throws. Considering the fact that this was achieved at such an advanced age this has to be rated as one of the greatest athletic feats of all time.
I personally know Tom Amberry and I must confess to you that his story has greatly inspired me. I perform my own basketball shooting exhibition shows and Tom's sagely shooting advice has improved my own shooting skills.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This method really works--try it and you will see why, May 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Free Throw: 7 Steps to Success at the Free Throw Line (Paperback)

What an unbelievable accomplishment! This is a great book for anybody who has ever tried to make a free throw. Forget what any coach ever told you about how to make free throws--any other method is a waste of time. Anybody who can do something for 12 hours and not make one mistake is somebody that is worth copying. Even if he missed a lot, the physical act of doing deep knee bends for 12 hours at age 71 is something that Jack LaLanne would be proud of! I bought the book and I have given Dr. Amberry's approach a serious try. My percentage has improved to over 90% for my last 1000 attempts, this week I made 97 out of 100. This book is priceless-see for yourself.