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 Innovator Dr. James Naismith initially set forth 13 rules the game still adheres to today
It was called "duck-on-a-rock." That was where Dr. James Naismith came upon the idea for the game we know as basketball. Playing outside his one-room schoolhouse with his classmates in Ontario, Canada, Naismith and company attempted to knock a duck off the top of a large rock by tossing another rock at it. After attending and serving as athletic director at McGill University in Montreal, Naismith transferred to a YMCA training school in Springfield, Mass. in 1891. It is there he developed the concept of basketball. The idea for the game stemmed from trying to find a sport suitable for play inside during the cold Massachusetts winters.
Naismith wanted his students to partake in a game of skill, instead of one that relied solely on strength. But he needed a game that could be played indoors in a relatively small space. At first, the game was played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets used as goals (legend is correct).
In developing his new game, Naismith devised a set of 13 rules – principles that are still coveted today. Following are the original rules he set down. Trivia buffs, you can now start taking notes.
1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or
both hands.
2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands, but never with the fist.
3. A player cannot run with the ball; he must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, with an allowance made for a man running at good speed.
4. The ball must be held in or between the hands; the arms or body must not be used for holding it.
5. There will be no shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping an opponent. The first infringement of this rule is a foul; the second will disqualify him until the next goal is made or if there is evidence of intent to injure the person. He may be removed from the game, in which case, no substitution will be allowed.
6. A foul will occur when a player strikes at the ball with his fist (violations of Rules 3 and 4, and such as described in Rule 5).
7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls it will count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).
8. Goals are made when the ball is thrown or batted from the ground into the basket and stays there, providing the defenders do not touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edge and the opponents move the basket, it is a goal.
9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown onto the court and played by the first person touching it. In case of a dispute, the referee shall throw it straight onto the court. The player who throws the ball will be allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer, the ball goes to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the referee can call a foul.
10. The referee will serve as judge of the players and will note the fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He has the power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.
11. The referee shall be the judge of the ball and decide when it is in play in bounds, to which side it belongs and keep the time. He can decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.
12. The time shall be two 15-minute halves with five
minutes of rest between.
13. The side making the most goals in that time wins
the game. OC
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a new series on the history of basketball. Each month, we’ll bring you an insightful look at how the game we love got its start. We invite you to tell us your favorite basketball story or what the game means to you at: editor@oncourtonline.com. Send us your story and we’ll put it online. |
