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Are do-or-die free throws the most pressure-packed situation in sports? - Feb 23, 2009 | 14:24:44
posted by: Howard Smith
As kids, many of us spent countless hours at our local park or gymnasium, playing out the following situation in our minds: virtually no time remaining in the game, down one point, and two upcoming free throws for the win. Sometimes you'd make the free throws to win the game, other times you'd miss and lose...but hey, it was all for fun. The great majority of us will never get this kind of opportunity in a real-life game. Even most college basketball student-athletes will rarely be faced with this kind of pressure situation. It's one thing to take a last-second shot for a win; it's a whole different animal standing on the free throw stripe with the fate of the game in your hands. Well, Washington University's Cameron Smith was put in that very situation yesterday afternoon in his game against Rochester. With 0.4 seconds remaining and a 70-69 Rochester lead, Smith was fouled, and had two free throws attempts to win the game. Unfortunately, Smith missed both free throws, giving Rochester the road victory. At the time, Smith was an 83 percent free throw shooter for the season (19 for 23). No matter your rooting interest, your heart certainly goes out to Smith. This reminds me of a similar situation which occurred in the 2005 Conference USA Championship game. Facing a two point deficit to Louisville, Memphis freshman Darius Washington Jr. got fouled on a three-point attempt as time was expiring. He made the first free throw, but missed the next two, giving Louisville a one-point win. Obviously, this was a devastating way to lose the conference title and a berth to the NCAA Tournament (Memphis would make it to the semifinals of the NIT that year). While Smith's missed free throws will sting in the short term, don't feel too bad for Wash U. The defending Division III national champions are currently ranked second in the country, and are the only team to have already clinched a NCAA Tournament berth (due to their University Athletic Association regular season title, and the fact that the UAA does not hold a conference tournament). Given this loss isn't a do-or-die situation like it was for Memphis, let's hope Smith gets a chance at redemption sometime later this season. If he does, I'll bet he comes through. In any case, is there a more pressure-packed situation in sports than on the charity stripe with the game completely in your control? What advice would you give for Smith and Washington Jr. to help them bounce back from their failures? 
CommentsI have had this debate before. The scenario we came up with was a golfer having to hit a "routine" 6 foot put for the win. There are more variables in the put, for instance reading the green and weather conditions.....oh well, food for thought. I would tell these players that they had the courage to get themselves in the situation to get fouled by having or wanting the ball in their hands at crunch time. Keep battling. I would want that guy on the line every time. Kelly...I like the 6-foot putt example. As a former college golfer myself, I can imagine this would be as stressful as it can get (unfortunately, I was never in this situation). I would point out that the free throws are with thousands of fans in the stands, and in Washington's situation, millions of people watching on television. The golfing scenario is with only a few people watching, although it is definitely high pressure. I vote for field goals in football. With putts and free throws, at least the responsibility is all on a single athlete. With field goals, the kick has to be preceded by a good snap, a good hold and effective blocking. And there may be rain and wind. Plus, kickers haven't had to make the physical sacrifices throughout the game that others have, so there's that pressure, too. Cameron probably felt extra pressure because it would have been his coach's 500th career victory. I think the pressure is felt a lot more when you're by yourself in the situation. This is why the free throw is so hard when the game is on the line. It's all on your shoulders. It's like coming up to bat in the bottom of the 7th with the bases loaded down by one with two outs. Your teammates have done the job by getting on base, but you are the one that needs to come through. Athletes should live for these moments. They don't come around very often, and win or lose it's the biggest adrenaline rush you will ever have. Post a Comment |
  
It means that two very good teams with very good coaches made it to the final game.
- Marie
   
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