From: presley@oahu.cs.ucla.edu (Matthew Presley)
Subject: Original Basketball Rules
Organization: UCLA, Computer Science Department
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 92 07:25:03 GMT

            Original Basketball Rules (1891)
				--------------------------------

The goals are a couple of baskets or boxes about fif-
teen inches in diameter across the opening and about
fifteen inches deep.  If the field of play is large the
baskets may be larger, so as to allow of more goals be-
ing made.  When the field is 150 feet long the baskets
may be thirty inches in diameter.  These are to be
suspended, one at each end of the grounds, about ten
feet from the floor.  A neat device for a goal has been
arranged by the Narragansett Machine Company, by 
which the ball is held and may be thrown out by pull-
ing a string.  It is both lasting and convenient.

The object of the game is to put the ball into your
opponents' goal.  This may be done by throwing the ball
from any part of the grounds, with one or both hands, 
under the following conditions and rules:

The ball to be an ordinarry Association foot ball.

1.  The ball may be thrown in any direction with one
or both hands.

2.  The ball may be batted in any direction with one
or both hands (never with the fist).

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 who catches the ball
when running if he tries to stop.

4.  The ball must be held by the hands, the arms or
body must not be used for holding it.

5.  No shouldering, holding, pushing, tripping, or
striking in any way the person of an opponent shall be 
allowed; the first infringement of this 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 in-
tent to injure the person, for the whole of the game, no
substitute allowed.

6.  A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, viola-
tion of Rules 3, 4, and such as described in Rule 5.

7.  If either side makes three consecutive fouls it shall
count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means
without the opponents in the mean time making a foul).

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 edge, and the
opponent moves the basket, it shall count as a goal.

9.  When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be
thrown into the field of play by the person first touching
it.  He has a right to hold it unmolested for five seconds.
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 presists in delaying the game the umpire shall call
a foul on that side.

10.  The umpire shall be judge of the men and shall
note the fouls and notify the referee when three con-
secutive fouls have been made.  He shall have power to 
disqulaify men according to Rule 5.

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.

12.  The time shall be two fifteen minute halves, with
five minutes' rest between.

13.  The side making the most goals in that time shall
be declared the winner.  In the case of a draw the game
may, by agreement of the captains be continued until
another goal is made.

-- 
Matthew Presley (UCLA CS Grad. Student) & (JPL CS dude)
Internet (presley@cs.ucla.edu) or (matt@ruby.jpl.nasa.gov)
"I am an unexplained crop formation."
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro