What Are the 13 Original Rules of Basketball?

Have you considered signing up your child for basketball classes for kids? Or perhaps you’re thinking of getting them private basketball coaching lessons. Whichever the case, they’re a great way for your kids to spend their free time. The benefits of basketball coaching are quite numerous and significant to your child’s growth. This is especially true in this day and age where many parents are content to leave their offspring to the care of digital devices and TV screens, which can lead to unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles.

With that said, if this is your youngster’s first time to attend basketball camp, then you may want to look at giving them a history lesson about the original rules of the game. While this is not necessary, having them acquainted with the first rules of the game as written by the game’s inventor, Dr James Naismith, will help your child have a better understanding of basketball as a whole. Moreover, it will also enable them to appreciate the modern changes made in improving the game’s flow and play.

So what are the 13 original rules of basketball? Here they are in full:

  1. Proper ball throwing or passing

Players can throw, toss, or pass the ball in any direction within the designated game area, using either a single hand or both to do so. There are no penalties for throwing the ball with one hand in one moment and with both the next. It is up to the player’s discretion.

  1. Proper ball interception or defence

Whether in defence or offence, players can bat away the ball into any direction using one or two hands. However, the hands used must always be open while doing so, with all five fingers spread, and never closed or clenched into a fist.

  1. Proper ball possession

A player is forbidden from running with the ball. Instead, the player should immediately stop and throw it from the spot where he caught it. If the player has been running full-speed before catching the ball, they will be allowed to take a few steps in order to stop safely.

  1. Proper ball handling

A player must only use his hands to hold the ball, either in or between them. They must not use their arms or any other part of the body to remain in possession of the ball.

  1. Proper defensive and offensive behaviour

There will be no deliberate rough play during basketball. This means no blatant physical attacks or assaults towards an opponent during play, such as shouldering, pushing, grappling, holding, striking, or tripping. The first violation shall be counted as a single foul, the second will disqualify the offending player until the next goal is scored. If the referee or umpire finds that there was a clear intent to injure while committing a foul, then the disqualification will last for the entire game.

  1. Grounds for Fouling

Fouls are committed by a player committing the following acts: hitting the ball with a closed fist, as well as flagrantly violating the third, fourth, and fifth rules.

  1. Consecutive fouls

If one team makes three consecutive fouls, the opposing team will be given a goal point. This is only if all three fouls are made in succession, and without the opposing team committing a foul of their own in between any of those fouls.

  1. Proper Goal-scoring

A goal is scored when the ball is thrown or batted into the basket and remains inside the net. If the ball ends up resting on the edge of the basket, it will not count as a goal unless one of the defending players moves or interferes with the basket. In such an occurrence, it will count as a goal.

  1. Proper Out-of-Bounds Ball Handling

In the instance that the ball goes out of bounds, whoever makes physical contact with the ball first shall be given the right to throw it back into the field of play. The player throwing the ball will be allowed five seconds to do so. Failure to throw the ball within this time limit results in possession being awarded to the opposing team. Consecutive delays in this fashion will result in a foul being called on the offending team. Also, any disputes on the first-contact rule may result in the umpire throwing the ball straight into the field instead.

  1. Umpire Authority

The umpire has full authority on judging the actions of the players, especially when it comes to fouls. He will keep track of the fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made by a team. His authority also extends to disqualifying players as outlined in the fifth rule.

  1. Referee Authority

The referee has full authority on judging the state of the ball, such as deciding whether it is in play, out of bounds, or who is rightfully in possession of it. His responsibilities also include keeping time, declaring when goals are made, tallying up the goals made by both sides, and other refereeing duties.

  1. Proper Game Duration

A single game of basketball must only last for 35 minutes in total. This time limit constitutes of 15 minutes for each half, combined with a single period of rest in between that should last for five minutes.

  1. Grounds for Winning

The team with the most goals at the end of the duration of the game is declared the winner. In case of a tie, the game can continue until a single tie-breaking goal is made.

Knowing Basketball’s history results in a better appreciation for the sport

The rules listed above may seem primitive and even archaic when compared to the rules of today’s basketball, but we can definitely see what Dr Naismith was going for—to develop a sport that’s both physically engaging and thrilling, while still being safe and professional.

Teach your child about these rules before beginning basketball classes and he’ll have a better understanding of the game itself. This will lead to him appreciating the sport more. As for where your child can get the quality private basketball coaching Melbourne residents trust, Tomorrow’s Stars Basketball is an easy recommendation to make. It has superior quality training programs and capable basketball trainers, so you can rest assured your child will be trained by the very best.

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