function calculateFTR() {
// Get inputs using var
var ftaInput = document.getElementById('ftAttempts');
var fgaInput = document.getElementById('fgAttempts');
var resultBox = document.getElementById('resultDisplay');
var errorBox = document.getElementById('errorDisplay');
var ftrDisplay = document.getElementById('ftrValue');
var ratingDisplay = document.getElementById('ftrRating');
var ratioDisplay = document.getElementById('ratioValue');
// Parse values
var fta = parseFloat(ftaInput.value);
var fga = parseFloat(fgaInput.value);
// Reset displays
errorBox.style.display = 'none';
resultBox.style.display = 'none';
// Validation logic
if (isNaN(fta) || isNaN(fga)) {
errorBox.innerHTML = "Please enter valid numbers for both attempts.";
errorBox.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
if (fta < 0 || fga = 0.500) {
ratingText = "Elite / Highly Aggressive";
ratingColor = "#27ae60"; // Green
} else if (ftr >= 0.350) {
ratingText = "Above Average";
ratingColor = "#2ecc71";
} else if (ftr >= 0.250) {
ratingText = "Average";
ratingColor = "#f39c12"; // Orange
} else if (ftr >= 0.150) {
ratingText = "Below Average";
ratingColor = "#e67e22";
} else {
ratingText = "Low / Jump Shooter";
ratingColor = "#c0392b"; // Red
}
// Update DOM
ftrDisplay.innerHTML = ftrFormatted + " (" + percentage + ")";
ratingDisplay.innerHTML = ratingText;
ratingDisplay.style.color = ratingColor;
ratioDisplay.innerHTML = fta + " FT attempts per " + fga + " FG attempts";
resultBox.style.display = 'block';
}
How to Calculate Free Throw Rate (FTR)
In basketball analytics, the Free Throw Rate (FTR) is a crucial metric used to evaluate a player's or team's ability to get to the free-throw line relative to their field goal attempts. Unlike Free Throw Percentage (which measures accuracy), Free Throw Rate measures aggression and the ability to draw fouls.
What is Free Throw Rate?
Free Throw Rate answers the question: "For every shot attempted from the field, how many free throws are attempted?"
It is widely used by coaches, analysts, and scouts to identify players who are efficient at drawing contact. A high FTR often correlates with high offensive efficiency because free throws are generally the most efficient shots in basketball.
The Free Throw Rate Formula
The calculation is simple but specific. You do not need the number of free throws made, only the attempts.
FTA (Free Throw Attempts): The total number of free throws a player or team attempts in a game or season.
FGA (Field Goal Attempts): The total number of 2-point and 3-point shots attempted (excluding free throws).
Example Calculation
Let's look at a realistic example from an NBA box score to understand how the math works.
Imagine a player named Jordan has the following stats:
Points: 28
Field Goal Attempts (FGA): 20
Free Throw Attempts (FTA): 10
To calculate Jordan's Free Throw Rate:
FTR = 10 ÷ 20 = 0.500
This result means that for every field goal Jordan attempts, he shoots 0.5 free throws. An FTR of .500 is considered extremely high and indicates a very aggressive offensive style.
Difference Between FTR and Free Throw Percentage
It is common to confuse these two metrics, but they measure completely different skills:
Free Throw Rate (FTA/FGA): Measures how often you get to the line. It is a metric of volume and drawing fouls.
Free Throw Percentage (FTM/FTA): Measures how often you make the shot once you are at the line. It is a metric of shooting accuracy.
A player can have a high Free Throw Rate (gets fouled often) but a low Free Throw Percentage (misses the free throws), or vice versa.
What is a Good Free Throw Rate?
Context matters (guards vs. centers, NBA vs. College), but generally speaking in modern professional basketball:
> .400: Elite. These players live at the line (e.g., prime James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo).
.300 – .400: Great. Very aggressive scorers.
.200 – .300: Average. A balanced mix of jump shots and driving.
< .150: Low. Typically indicates a player who relies heavily on perimeter jump shots and avoids contact (e.g., spot-up shooters).
Use the calculator above to quickly determine the rate for any player or team by inputting the attempts from a box score.