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James Naismith Invented Game of Basketball
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Rules of the Game
When basketball was first invented, there were 13 rules to the game. -
Equipment Used to Play
When the first game was played, they had to use a soccer ball and baskets nailed to a balcony since they didn't have basketball hoops. The court they played on was 54 by 35 feet. -
Teams
The first game was a class of 18 that got divided into 2 teams of 9. -
First Basketball Game
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The First Ball
The first ball used to play basketball was a soccer ball. Now, we actually play with basketballs. -
Scoring
Originally, a successful goal was counted as one point, and one point was also given to a team anytime three consecutive fouls were called on the opponent. Free throws were first introduced in 1894. Both a made field goal and a made free throw were counted as one goal. In 1896, rules were changed to count a made field goal as two points. In 1961 the short lived American Basketball League played with the three point shot. In 1967, the three point shot was introduced. -
Timing
The first games were played in two fifteen minute halves. Shortly later this was increased to two 20-minutes halves. There was no provision for extending the game if the score was tied. In fact, the first game ever played ended in a 2-2 tie. However, once leagues started to be formed, ties needed to be broken. The first tie breakers were "sudden death," with the first team to score a point, either a field goal or free throw, winning the game. -
Substitution
Initially, players were not allowed to re-enter the game. The rule was changed in 1920 to allow a player to re-enter the game one time. In 1934, the rule was expanded to allow players to re-enter the game twice, and, in 1945 the rule was finally changed to permit players to return to the game an unlimited number of times. -
NBA
National Basketball Association. Basketball is one of the most watched sport in the U.S today. The professional players get paid $5.8 million a year to play in the NBA(2015 today).
