Dean Oliver’s Four Factors of Basketball Success is a fascinating read for both coaches and fans of the game. In close games, one factor seems to matter more than others: Free Throws, which carries a total weight of 15%. While it’s the smallest slice of the formula, free throws have an outsized impact when every point matters.
Free Throws Win Close Games
The free throw line is where composure meets opportunity. Teams that consistently get there, and convert, control the pace, punish defenders, and finish games strong. But historically, free throw data has been limited to simple percentages, offering little insight into how trips to the line connect to shot selection or offensive style.
That’s where SportsVisio’s Coach Mode adds new depth to this classic metric.
From FT Rate to Real Impact
Oliver’s preferred measure of this factor is Free Throw Rate, which tells us how often a team gets to the line relative to its field goal attempts:
FT ÷ FGA
A high free throw rate suggests a team that plays aggressively, drives the lane, and puts pressure on the defense. Coach Mode automatically calculates this, showing how frequently your team generates free points compared to overall shot volume.
More importantly, it connects that number to Offensive Rating, Points in the Paint, and Field Goal Efficiency, helping coaches see how attacking the rim directly leads to free throw opportunities and scoring efficiency.
Connecting Aggression to Efficiency
With every game uploaded, Coach Mode captures the full offensive picture: highlighting how certain lineups or play styles influence free throw production.
Instead of relying on gut feel, coaches get data-backed clarity. You can see how team aggression fluctuates across games or how your players perform under pressure from the line.
Even small improvements in free throw rate, or accuracy, compound over a season. For many teams, that’s the difference between a narrow loss and a statement win.
Building a Culture of Pressure Poise
Over time, Coach Mode tracks Free Throw Rate, Free Throw Percentage (FT%), and their correlation with Net Rating. Coaches can use these insights to:
Measure team aggression and efficiency getting to the line
Connect free throw trends to shot selection and paint attacks
Reinforce composure and confidence in late-game scenarios
Highlight players who draw contact and convert consistently
With every game, Coach Mode builds a clearer picture of how free throws reflect discipline, toughness, and team identity.
The Takeaway
Dean Oliver’s fourth factor, Free Throws, may carry the smallest weight, but it carries the biggest consequences when the game’s on the line.
With SportsVisio’s Coach Mode, coaches can track how often their teams get to the line, how efficiently they convert, and how those moments shape the final score.
Free throws reward focus, effort, and consistency and with SportsVisio, those qualities finally show up in the data.
Because in the end, the teams that win the close ones aren’t just shooting better, they’re finishing stronger.