The Complete Book of Games

I found this interesting book in my church's library last night entitled "The Complete Book of Games," by Clement Wood and Gloria Goddard, copyright 1938.

They have an interesting article about basketball. It reads: Basketball is the youngest of major team contests. It was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith, as a synthetic cross between Soccer and Lacrosse. It took hold at once, Yale organizing a team as early as 1893. The idea was to design an indoor variation of Football. Kicking was prohibited, and also running with the ball; the latter rule eliminating tackling and interference. The ball is advanced by passing or by dribbling--that is, a player's bounding the ball against the floor, or tossing it in the air once and retaining possession of it. It has given birth to more minor and practice variation than any other major sport.

Equipment: An official basketball is used, round and slightly larger than a soccer ball.
The Players: A team consists of five players; two forwards, a center, and two guards. (check to see the way that KU's line up is today). The forwards lead the attack and specialize in goal-throwing. The center puts the ball in play and assists forwards and guards. The guards safeguard the goal.
After the ball is put in play, it may be batted, rolled, bounced or thrown in any direction, with one or both hands. A player is not allowed to kick the ball, strike it with closed fist or run with it (note no traveling is allowed!). Dribbling against the floor is permitted and the ball may be tossed in the air once during a dribble. When a player who is running receives the ball, he may take not more than one step with it before getting rid of it, on penalty of being charged with a violation of the rule forbidding running with the ball.
Minor infractions of the rules are called violations (a foul is a foul!) More serious violations are called fouls, whether technical or dealing with bodily contact.

Now here's where it gets interesting describing basketball for women.
When basketball is played by women, team consists of six players each; or they may consist of nine (NINE!! Wow!) . The ball is advanced as in the boys' game, except that it may not be rolled, and may not be handed from player to player. It must be caught with two hands, but may be retained or thrown with one. A player may bounce the ball in air once or dribble it against the floor once; but may not do both without an intervening play with the ball by another player. It is not permissible for a player to place a hand on the ball when an opponent holds it. (Watch for those steals!).

So now you know!!