In 1891, the birth of Basketball.

• Naismith’s 13 original rules:

  • The Ball may be thrown in any direction by one or both hands.
  • The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands (never with the fist).
  • 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 man who catches the ball when running, if he tries to stop.
  • The ball must be held by the hands; the arms or body must not be used for holding it.
  • No shouldering, holding, pushing, tripping, or striking in any way the person of an opponent shall be allowed; the first infringement of the rule by any player 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 game, no substitute allowed.
  • A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violation of rules 3, 4, and such as described in rule 5.
  • 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.)
  • 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.
  • When the ball goes out of bounds it shall be thrown into the field of play by the person first touching it. In case of a 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 that team.
  • 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 the power to disqualify men according to rule 5
  • The referee shall be the 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 the referee usually performs.
  • The time shall be two 15-minute halves, with 5 minutes rest between.
  • The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winner. In case of a draw, the game may by mutual agreement, be continued until another goal is made.

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