Patent ID: 7507170

Claim:
An improved method of playing basketball, said improved method comprising: providing a rectangular region defining a game play surface, two opposite sides of said rectangular region are an end line, a division line is disposed equal distance between each of said end line, said game play surface dimensions are determined by a team classification; each of an in paint region, a three-point line placed on sides of said in paint region and having a 56.25 degree elliptical arc extending above said in paint region enhancing transition zone play between said three-point line and said division line, said elliptical arc creating approximately nineteen feet to twenty four feet shooting distance between said three-point line and a goal, and a four-point line proximate said division line creating a four-point region are located within and at opposite ends of said game play surface, said in paint region, said three-point line, said four-point line, and said division line are disposed on said game play surface such that said in paint region is located at said end line closest to said goal and furthest from said division line, said three-point line is located around said in paint region, and said four-point line is located between said three-point line and said division line; providing said goal defined by a hoop located over each said in paint region, said hoop is located at a fixed distance above said in paint region, said fixed distance is determined by preseason agreement between competitors and in accordance with said team classification; disposing said in paint region on said game play surface forming a region in close proximity to said goal, said in paint region being positioned to promote skilled and short player game play by deterring tall players from effectuating dunk type shot techniques that result when a player shoots said ball through said goal while standing within said in paint region by rewarding lowest amount of points for such dunk type scoring shots; and scoring points during game play as follows: said player standing, within said in paint region, and shooting said ball through said goal receives one point; said player standing, within region between said in paint region and said three-point line, and shooting said ball through said goal receives two points; said player standing, within region between said three-point line and said four-point line, and shooting said ball through said goal receives three-points; and said player standing, within said four-point region, and shooting said ball through said goal receives four-points.