On Dec. 21, 1891, Canadian Dr. James Naismith introduced his invention of the game of basketball.
With the introduction of this new game that would be played with peach baskets, Naismith created 13 simple rules.
Fast-forward 120 years and the game has gone through significant changes. Today, the National Basketball Association has 12 sections of rule categories, with dozens upon dozens of subsections.
To celebrate basketball’s birthday, here is a look at the sport’s 13 original rules and how players still continue to ignore them after 120 years of practising them.
Rule No. 1: The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
A rule that Canadian Joel Anthony of the Miami Heat took too literally.
Rule No. 2: The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands, but never with the fist.
In other words, don’t punch the ball. Only bad things can come from it, as Kobe Bryant found out in 2008.
Rule No. 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 running at good speed.
We all know LeBron James is notorious for travelling, but he’s got a long way to go (pun intended) to match Roy Hinson of the 1987 Philadelphia 76ers.
Rule No. 4: The ball must be held by the hands. The arms or body must not be used for holding it.
This rule is rarely broken during game play. However, if this rule was strictly applied to all forms of basketball, the Harlem Gloebtrotters would be out of a job and commercials like this one starring Steve Nash wouldn’t exist.
Rule No. 5: No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent. 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 substitution shall be allowed.
Thanks to former San Antonio Spurs gritty forward Bruce Bowen, kicking was later added to Rule 5.
Rule No. 6: A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of Rules 3 and 4 and such as described in Rule 5.
Players like Rasheed Wallace are known for their ability to stockpile fouls. Wallace is the NBA’s all-time leader in technical fouls. If Los Angeles Lakers centre Andrew Bynum keeps making plays like this one from last year’s playoffs, he could find himself climbing the flagrant fouls list.
Rule No. 7: If either side makes three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).
This rule is bad news if your team plans to use a “Hack-a-Shaq” game plan. Case in point: the San Antonio Spurs.
Rule No. 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 edges, and the opponent moves the basket, it shall count as a goal.
This is an excellent defensive play from Orlando Magic centre Dwight Howard. Too bad it’s against the rules.
Rule No. 9: When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first person touching it. In case of dispute the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in 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.
Jump balls are an interesting aspect to Rule 9, especially when there is a size discrepancy between the two players. Anyone remember Vince Carter vs. Yao Ming?
Also, someone please remind Lakers forward Lamar Odom of this rule.
Rule No. 10: The umpire shall be the 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.
The referee’s job is to remain objective (unless his name is Tim Donaghee). Sometimes, they need to make tough decisions, which could mean ejecting a player or coach. That doesn’t mean those decisions are always the right one, though.
Rule No. 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.
A basketball referee’s job is difficult. They’ve got to make quick judgment calls in regards to fouls and rule violations. But, can refs call fouls on other refs?
Rule No. 12: The time shall be two fifteen-minute halves, with five minutes rest between.
If the NBA still used this system, a five-minute break might not be long enough to mop up after Shaq has been on the court for 15 minutes.
Obviously today’s game is played with four 12-minute quarters. And with longer quarters come a longer halftime, allowing fans to enjoy such entertaining acts like the human slinky. Yes, you heard that correctly.
Rule No. 13: The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winner.
This rule is perhaps the most obvious one, but the Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets pushed it to the limit in 1983 with the Pistons winning 186-184.
