The 13 Original Rules of Basketball

Basketball rules over the course of years have changed a lot. When James Naismith invented the game he came up with 13 rules that players were to follow. Here they are!

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
2. You can't hit the ball with your fist.
3. A player cannot run with the ball.
4. The ball must be held by the hands.
5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent. If anyone does this towards the opponent will recieve a foul. The second time someone does this results in taking the player out of the game until the next basket is scored.
6. A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of Rules 3 and 4 and such as described in Rule 5.
7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls it will result in a goal for the opponents.
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 no touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edges, and the opponent moves the basket, it will count as a goal.
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.




This is the original document that contains Dr. James Naismith's rules.


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.

11. The referee shall be judge of the ball and will decide when the ball is in play, in bounds, to which side it belongs, and will keep the time. He will decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals, with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.
12. The time will be two fifteen-minute halves, with five minutes rest between.
13. The side making the most goals in that time will be declared the winner. 

 Do you think any of the rules should still be kept today? Do you think some of the rules today should be changed?