Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-12-25
INTERESTING NOTES
ON BASKET BALL
Indoor Game Was Invented Over 20
Years Aeo-lt's Sport Which Re-
quires speed,and Aggressiyeness.

| product Of necessity, having been Ia
vented about twenty years ago in the
Young Mems Christian Association
training school. Springfield. Mass, to
supply a definite need for competitive
indoor winter work The game re
quires, speed, skin. aggressiyeness, en-
! durance, and team work.
| The picking Of a team depends M
on the available material. Every
( team needs a good center, who should
be rangy and a good jumper, for upon
him more than any other player, de-
ponds the success OF the game The
! plays are built around the leaping
ability of the center. II he is a good
jumper he can direct the ball to any
member of his team on the jump eff
an essential factor in the development
of team play by signal This is an adj.
vantage, because It puts the opposition
on the defensive.
On the center falls the brunt of
chasing" the ball; now helping out
the forwards and now the guards.
This necessitates OF the ideal center
accurate throwing and god guard
qualities.
These qualities are -cidom found in
one man, so plans are made to over
come the weakness. 1 rhe center is
a good jumper and good guard, but
not aggressive in following the ball.
he changes position Immediately after
the jump off with a guard who pos
sesses running and goal throwing
abilities.
Or, If he is good goal throw 4r,
the center may change with one of
the forwards, who excels him in run
ming the floor. The change must be
made smoothly and quickly, so as not
to leave men unguarded.
Forwards must be quick starters
and fast on their feet, so as TO escape
from their guards. When the center,
in response to signal, bats the ball In
a certain direction, a forward must be
there to get the sphere and he must
be able to pass accurately from any
position necessary to assume to es-
cape his guard. The best basket
throwers should be chosen as for
wards. They must be fast, as speed,
and the endurance to maintain it for
forty minutes without stop, is wha,
wins games.
Guards should be rangy and good
jumpers. This makes. them valuable
in intercepting passes. 1t is difficult
to make a successful pass over a tall
guards head OF all men on a team. a
guard must not tumble the ball, for il
he be weak in this department his
errors may lose games 'ast guard
is desirable for his ability IL break u2
plays by quick rushing and intercept.
ing passes. But slow, careful gaurG,
who uses his thinker. often shows up
Well
In choosing men their ability for
team work must be considered. Often
star is found who cannot master
team play. Another good quality that
must not be overlooked is aggressive.
ness. A player must not fear col
lision, but must not foul wantonly.
Aggressiyeness, with skill TO avoid
fouling, cannot be valued too highly.
A few excerpts from the national
rules will be of assistance to local
players;
A player shall not--run with the
ball
Kick the ball
Strike the ball with his fists.
Hold. block, push or trip an oppo-
nent.
Use unnecessary roughness.
Intentionally delay the game,
While making free trial for goal.
pass tho ball TO another player; an
honest attempt must be made to cage
it.
Enter a scrimmage in which two