History of Basketball: Rule Development from the beginning up to now (2014)

The history of basketball dates back more than a hundred years to 1891, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.

 

At that time Dr. James Naismith (born November 6th, 1861 – died November 28th, 1939) was a physical educator in the School for Christian Workers (now Springfield College). As the coach of the school football team he was given the task to create an interesting indoor game to occupy the students during the winter months. In a fortnight he came up with the basic rules of a new game.

Mr. Naismith evolved 5 basic principles when he created the rules.

1. The game is played with a round ball and with the hands.

2. A player cannot run with the ball.

3. Any player can take up any position on the playing court at any time.

4. There shall be no physical contact between players.

5. The goal (basket) shall be placed horizontally above the floor of the court.

THE FIRST 13 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 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 a goal for the opponents. (Consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).

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 it is allowed five 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.

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.

http://www.basketref.com/eng_file/history/kosarlabdazas_tortenete.html