The Basketball Attic: History

Basketball is one of America's most popular sports. Most people play it, and therefore have a basic understanding of the sport. Likewise, with those who watch it. However, not nearly as many people know about how the game originated. If you are one of those people, then fear not. You will soon be educated in the history of basketball.

In The Beginning...

Basketball today is a fast paced sport, played all around the world. However, it originated as a simple Physical Education game developed by a Dr. James Naismith, at Springfield College, in Massachusetts. At that time, there was a need for an indoor winter game that could keep students interested in physical training. Naismith, as well as other physical education instructors were told to experiment with their classes. This little experiment spawned basketball. At first Naismith tried a different version of football where the students were told to tackle their opponents by grabbing the runner above the waist and holding him down. The students did not like it. Naismith then developed the game of basketball, in the year 1891. Naismith had two peach baskets attached to the balcony at the ends of the gymnasium. They happened to be 10 feet high, which has not changed. Naismith then developed thirteen simple rules:

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 (never with the fist).
3. A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it; allowance to be made for a man who catches the ball when running at a 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. No shouldering, holding, pushing, tripping, or striking, in any way the person of an opponent shall be allowed; the first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul, the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made, or, if there was evident intent to injure the person for the whole of the game, no substitute allowed.
6. A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violation of Rules 3, 4, and such as described in Rule 5.
7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls, it shall count as a goal for the opponents.
8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the grounds into the basket and stays there providing those defending the goal do not touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edge and the opponent moves the basket, it shall count as a goal.
9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the person first touching it. In case of a dispute, the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower in is allowed 5 seconds. If he holds it longer it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.
10. The umpire shall be judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.
11. The referee shall be judge of the ball and shall decide when the ball is in play, in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall 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 fifteen minute halves, with five minutes rest between them.
13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winners. In case of a draw, the game may, by agreement of the captains, be continued until another goal is made.

Naismithball was a suggestion, however the actual name came from a student. He suggested since they had a basket, and a ball, the sport should be named basketball. Thus, basketball was created. At first, the baskets had no holes in them, so someone had to climb up and get the ball whenever a goal was scored. Then Dr. Henry Kallenberg, a friend of Naismith's, suggested cutting holes in them. The first basket to be sold (produced by the Narragensett Machine Company in 1893) is shown at the left.

The actual basketball did not come into existence until 1894, three years after the game was originated. Originally, a soccer ball was used. But the games first governing system, the Basketball Co-Operating Committee, decide the ball should be a bit larger. No less than 30 inches and no more than 32 inches in circumference. The goals presented a different problem. You see the peach baskets still had bottoms in them, and every time a basket was made, someone had to climb up and get the ball. As you can guess this considerably slowed the game. It wasn't until 1906 that open baskets were used to let the ball fall through. Backboards were orignated because fans would try to help their teams by batting the balls away. In 1909, glass backboards were introduced.

For information on the birth of the NBA, look at my NBA Birth and Origins page.

Answer to this month's trivia question:

Earl Manigault. He was also famous for his 720 degree dunk.

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