History of Basketball: Dr. James Naismith's Original 13 Rules Quiz

Game Rules

• If the ball rests on the edge of the court and the opponent moves it, staying there, and providing a basket, it counts as a goal.
• When the ball goes out of bounds, it is thrown into the field of play by the person who touched it last.
• The thrower has the right to hold the ball for five seconds; if they hold it longer, it goes to the opponent.
• If a dispute arises, the umpire shall throw the ball straight into the field.

Umpire and Referee Roles

• The umpire judges the players, notes fouls, and notifies the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made.
• The umpire has the power to disqualify players according to Rule 5.
• The referee judges the ball, decides when it is in play, in bounds, and to which side it belongs, and keeps the time.

Game Structure

• The game is divided into two 15-minute halves, with a 5-minute rest between.
• The side making the most goals in that time is declared the winner.
• In case of a draw, the game may be continued until another goal is made, by agreement of the captains.

Player Positions

• Point Guard: ball handler, dribbler, team organizer, playmaker.
• Shooting Guard: creates shots on offense, best perimeter defense.

Dr. James Naismith's Original 13 Rules

• A player cannot run with the ball.
• The ball must be held by the hands.
• No physical contact between players is allowed.
• A foul is striking the ball with the fist.
• If a side makes three consecutive fouls, it counts as a goal for the opponents.

Types of Passes

• Bounce Pass: used in pivot plays when the passer is passing to a teammate guarded from behind.
• Overhead Pass: commonly used for passing the ball into the high and low post area.
• Baseball Pass: a long-distance pass that usually covers more than half the court length.
• Push Pass: a quick pass made with one hand to a short distance.
• Behind the Back Pass: a fancy pass that has become a normal offensive weapon.

Basic Elements of Basketball

• Dribbling: progressing with the ball by an individual player to get free from their opponent or to get in good passing or shooting position.
• Kinds of Dribbling:
  • Low Control Dribble: used when the player is closely guarded, keeping the ball low to the floor and in full control.
  • High or Speed Dribble: used when the player is in the open court and needs to go fast.
  • Cross-Over Dribble: dribbling with one hand, getting close to the defender, and pushing the ball out in front of them over the other hand.
  • Behind the Back Dribble: used when the dribbler changes direction to get loose from their opponents.
  • Between the Legs Dribble: a quick way to move the ball from one hand to another between the legs when the dribbler is closely guarded.
  • Reverse Dribble: to change direction by bouncing the ball from one hand to another.

Shooting

• Final movement to complete the offensive action in order to score a basket.
• Kinds of Shooting:
  • Set Shot: commonly used only when executing free throws.
  • Lay-Up Shot: laying up the ball directly towards the basket.
  • Underhand Shot: special type of lay-up shot when the shooter after taking their jump towards the basket extends their arms and lifts their hand upward.
  • Jump Shot: most widely used player's offensive arsenal.
  • Hook Shot: soft, accurate shot, and excellent low-post move.
  • Dunk Shot: a special attraction of the tallest players.
  • Reverse Lay-Up Shot: has the benefit of the rim and backboard to help protect the shooter from defenders trying to block their shot from behind.

Basketball Terminologies

• Jump Ball: putting the ball into play by having an official toss upward.
• Assist: pass of hand-off directly resulting in a basket or score by a teammate.
• Jump Shot: the ball is released at the top of a vertical jump.
• Backcourt: half of the court away from the basket.
• Lay-Up: shot from alongside the basket using the backboard as a guide.
• Basket: iron hoop to which goals are scored.
• Blocking: foul by defensive player who blocks the legal path of an offensive player.
• Charging: a foul by the offensive player who charges into a defensive player who has legal position.
• Dribble: continuous bouncing of the ball.
• Eight-Second Rule: when the ball is advanced into the frontcourt and the offensive team takes more than eight seconds to shoot the ball.
• Man-to-Man Defense: a team defense in which each player is assigned one specific opponent to guard.
• Offensive Foul: personal foul committed by a member of the offensive team.
• Three-Pointers: made by a player who is fouled in the act of shooting, plus a free throw that they make.
• Tip-In: made by tipping the ball into the basket while airborne for a rebound.
• Traveling: illegally moving the ball by violating the dribbling rules.
• Turn Over: loss of possession of the ball without attempting a field goal.
• Twenty-Four-Second Rule: requirement that a team make a field goal attempt within 24 seconds.
• Violation: any infraction not classified as a foul.

Test your knowledge about Dr. James Naismith's original 13 rules of basketball with this quiz. Learn about the early regulations that shaped the game we know today.