granny shot
Between the legs
A granny shot is an underhand free throw in basketball, where the shooter holds the ball low with both hands and releases it in an upward arc.
The technique looks awkward compared to the standard overhand shot, hence the dismissive name suggesting it's how a grandmother might throw.
Despite its unfashionable appearance, the granny shot has proven statistically effective—most famously used by Rick Barry, one of the best free throw shooters in NBA history.
He switched to the granny shot and his percentage improved dramatically.
Deceptive and secret
- two-handedRequiring both palms
- arcCurved line segment
- releaseTo let go
- formShape or document
mechanics · execution · accuracy · consistency · precision · control · routine · repetition
Quality from past eras
- retroEvoking recent past
- classicOf lasting excellence
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
bygone · time-honored · old-time · yesteryear · Wilt Chamberlain · 1960s · playground · childhood
Boundary marking violations
- courtTrial venue or sports surface
- hoopsCircular bands or rims
- scoringEarning points in competition
- basketWoven carrying vessel
rim · net · charity stripe · game · points · regulation
Contrary to accepted practice
- noveltyQuality of being original
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
- nontraditionalDeparting from established norms
- old-schoolAdhering to past methods
stigma · mockery · embarrassment · ridicule · courage · confidence · effectiveness · practicality
underhand
Deceptive and secret
- two-handedRequiring both palms
- arcCurved line segment
- releaseTo let go
form · mechanics · execution · accuracy · consistency · precision · control · routine · repetition · wrist action
vintage
Quality from past eras
- retroEvoking recent past
- classicOf lasting excellence
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
old-fashioned · bygone · time-honored · old-time · yesteryear · Wilt Chamberlain · 1960s · playground · childhood
foul line
Boundary marking violations
basket · rim · net · charity stripe · game · points · regulation
unorthodox
Contrary to accepted practice
- noveltyQuality of being original
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
- nontraditionalDeparting from established norms
old-school · stigma · mockery · embarrassment · ridicule · courage · confidence · effectiveness · practicality · results-oriented
- underhand throwshorseshoe toss, bean bag toss, ring toss, gentle toss
- shotsgunshot, B-52, Jagerbomb, Kamikaze, lemon drop
- throwsthrow, toss, hurl, fling, cast
- trick shotsbetween the legs, scorpion kick, bicycle kick, tweener, behind the back
granny shotjump shot
Airborne basketball release
fadeaway · three-pointer · pull-up jumper · turnaround jumper · floater
granny shotslam dunk
Forceful basket from above
ankle breaker · no-look pass · tomahawk dunk · crossover · windmill dunk
granny, shot, gran, grannie, grannies, grandmother, grandma, grand, shots