CHAPTER XXX

BASKET BALL

With the opening of the basket-ball season the girls are all wide-awake, interested, and eager to enter the teams; there is an exciting dash and life about the game which renders it very fascinating.

If you can organize a set of ten players and divide the

=Cost of an Outfit=

among the girls, each contributing an equal portion, the individual expense need not be exorbitant.

The price of a good basket ball is four dollars, and a pair of goal baskets the same amount, making in all eight dollars, just eighty cents each, a small amount when compared with the fun, health, and general benefit to be derived from the sport. The expense will be even less if shared by the officials.

It is optional whether you play indoors or out of doors; the game is suited to either place. The size of a

=Playing Ground=

varies in different localities, being regulated according to available space, but it must not exceed 3,500 square feet.

Mark out your field, making the width less than the length, according to Fig. 614. If indoors, use black paint for marking the inch and a half wide boundary lines; if out in the open air have the lines white, of the same width as the black, and made with either whitewash, chalk, paint, or plaster-of-paris.

You must have the side boundaries of the field at least three feet from the wall or fence, and the end boundaries directly below the pole or wall surface against which the basket goals are placed. The inclosed field is divided into three portions (Fig. 614). Two more inclosures are necessary, called foul limits; make them inside the two end divisions, Figs. 614. The boundary line of the curved end must be equally six feet distant all around from station line indicated by a short straight line in the centre of the inner end of foul limits in both divisions; the station line must be fifteen feet from the goal or outer edge of basket; the space across from the straight lines of the foul limits must measure six feet.

Mark centre of field with a circle of a foot and half radius (Fig. 614), or two lines one and a half feet apart. If marked by circle the girls playing centres must stand within it; if two lines are used they must toe the lines. Hang your

=Baskets=

ten feet above the ground on the centre of each extreme end boundary line (Fig. 614, C and C). Be perfectly sure that the basket goals are firmly fastened in place and rigidly supported either on a strong upright pole, or on a wall [Illustration: Fig. 615.] surface. If on poles it is better to have a screen six feet wide and four high as a background, though this is not absolutely necessary. During practice and ordinary games leave the netting open at the bottom of the basket, that the ball may fall through the basket to the floor or ground beneath, it being difficult for girls to get the ball out of the basket when it is closed at the bottom. Using a pole to push the ball out is not always attended with satisfactory results, and the effort consumes valuable time and strength.

The baskets are called the goals; usually they are hammock nets of cord, sometimes metal chain links; they are always suspended from metal rings eighteen inches in diameter (inside). The back part of the metal ring is fastened to an iron bar which extends six inches from the pole or wall to which it is attached (Fig. 615). The

=Ball=

is round and hollow, composed of two layers, an inside rubber bladder and an outside cover of leather. The rubber is tightly inflated and the cover so laced that it cannot be caught or held by the lacing. The ball measures from thirty to thirty-two inches in circumference and weighs from eighteen to twenty ounces (Fig. 616).

The usual

=Set of Players=

is ten, making five on each side, though the game is occasionally played with more. The set sometimes numbers as many as twenty members, ten on each side; but such teams are rare, and generally undesirable. Large teams crowd the field to such a degree that very little skill is required to reach the goal, and action to a great extent is rendered almost impossible.

Each side chooses its own

=Captain=

who must be one of the five girls constituting the side. There are always two captains in a game, and they should be selected with care, as much depends upon their proper qualifications for holding the office. In addition to other duties, the captains toss for the choice of goals, are active players in the game, represent their respective sides, and are entitled to call the attention of the officials to any violation of the rules which they may think has occurred; it is their further duty to furnish the scorer with lists of their sides, giving the positions of the players. The captain appoints the forwards, guards, and centre.

The game calls for nine more girls; these do not take active part in the play, but hold positions as officials. The officials with a set of ten players necessitate nineteen girls for the usual game. The nine

=Officials=

are one referee, two umpires, a scorer, a time-keeper, and four linesmen. Always choose your

=Referee=

at least four days before the game. She must be absolutely neutral and perfectly impartial; to her belongs the honor of holding the most important office in the game. It is the referee’s duty to see that the regulations respecting the ball, goal, and grounds are adhered to.

By mutual agreement of the captains, the referee may allow alterations in the rules regarding time and grounds, but not as regards goal, ball, or team. Before the commencement of the game she must ascertain the time for beginning, or any other arrangements that have been made by the captains.

The referee must watch the ball constantly, following it wherever it goes. She must know at all times the whereabouts of the ball, as her office constitutes her judge of it, and she must decide when the ball is in play, to whom it belongs, and when a goal has been made. Every time the ball is put in play the referee tosses it up, she alone having the right to do so. The referee calls time, when necessary, by blowing a whistle, and she must always call a foul when any player addresses an officer. No player is allowed to talk to the officials, though anyone may speak to the captain and the captain can address the officers; in that way only are the players able to communicate with the officers.

The referee decides all questions not definitely falling to the umpires and linesmen, scorer and time-keeper, but is powerless to alter a decision of the umpire or linesmen regarding matters under their jurisdiction.

The referee instructs the team when to play, and either side refusing to begin the game within three minutes after the whistle sounds forfeits the game.

The referee’s term of office expires at the conclusion of the game, and her decision awarding the game must be given then, as she no longer has power to act as referee. The referee must disqualify members when they are guilty of shouldering, tripping, striking, kicking, hacking, or of intentional or unnecessary roughness of any kind. These constitute fouls, and the referee overlooks the first offence, but not the second. When a player is disqualified she must drop from the game and a substitute take her place. A foul is a violation of the rules, whether committed unintentionally, ignorantly, or otherwise; the only guide an officer has is the cold fact that a foul has been made.

Each team chooses its own

=Umpire=

who must be a thoroughly competent and impartial girl. The umpires call all fouls except cases coming under the authority of the referee; when the fouls are made by players crossing the field lines, linesmen judge them.

Each umpire makes her own decision independently of the other, but a foul called by one umpire cannot be questioned by the other. The umpire calls time by blowing a whistle when stating a foul and indicating the offender; she reports to the scorer the player at fault and the nature of the foul. The referee appoints the

=Scorer=

who must keep the score. She must be perfectly neutral. It is the scorer’s duty to notify the referee when a player should be disqualified for any kind of roughness. The referee appoints the

=Time-keeper=

who must be exact about the time, noting when the game starts, and blowing her whistle at the expiration of the actual playing time in each half previously agreed upon by captains and referee. The time-keeper must take out time when called upon to do so by the referee. The captain is privileged to ask the referee to call time for an injured player or when a difference has occurred between the captain and an official. The half game is generally fifteen minutes, making the entire game thirty minutes, not counting the intermission. The playing time may be shortened to ten minutes for each half or lengthened to twenty for each half. The referee only may order time deducted for necessary stoppages, should any occur during the game. The four

=Linesmen=

are appointed by the referee; two for each side. These four girls usually stand at the four corners of the centre division, and it is their duty to report if any of the players step on or cross over the dividing lines. Such offences are counted fouls. When the ball happens to be thrown outside the field boundary lines the players are allowed to rush after it, but are not allowed to go beyond the dividing lines when in the field.

All the girls should be in their

=Places on the Field=

ready to begin the game at the appointed signal. Fig. 617 will assist you in gaining a clear understanding of the different positions occupied by the various members of the team when in position to commence play. The object of the game is to _throw the ball into the opponent’s basket_, and this is best accomplished by the girls being coupled with opponents and stationed at various places all over the field. In [Illustration: Fig. 617.] Fig. 617 the girls on one side are represented by circles, those on the other side by crosses. We will suppose that the two captains have tossed for goals, and that to the circles has fallen the goal G and to the crosses the goal H. In the centre of the field are grouped three girls, one player from each side, and the referee, who is here indicated by a triangle.

The referee stands with the ball in her hands, facing the other two girls, having her back turned toward the side of the field (Fig. 617).

It is optional on which side of the centres the referee is stationed.

The two players stand facing each other with their sides turned toward the referee, and each has her back toward her own goal (Fig. 618). These two players, circle and cross, are known as

=Centres=

There are always two centres in a game, and it is their duty to jump quickly for the ball as it leaves the hands of the referee, who opens the game by tossing the ball vertically in the air immediately between and not more than two feet [Illustration: Circle Centre. Triangle Referee. Cross Centre.—Fig. 618.] from the centres. Fig. 618 shows the referee ready to toss the ball. Each centre endeavors to catch the ball and pass it to one of the forwards on her own side, with the hope that it may, sooner or later, land in her opponent’s basket; at the same time she tries to prevent the ball from being passed by the opponent’s guards across the centre of the field toward her basket.

The centres must confine their play within the central space; they cannot step across the dividing lines running from side to side of the central division of the field. In each of the end divisions are stationed two girls called forwards and two others known as guards; their duties are implied by their titles. The forwards endeavor to forward the ball to their opponents’ basket, and the guards guard their own goals, striving to prevent the opponent forwards throwing the ball into their basket. In Fig. 617 the circle

=Forwards=

are in the end near their opponents’ basket H, that they may have a better opportunity of sending the ball into it, and the cross forwards are on the other end of the field near the circle’s basket trying to engineer the ball into that goal. You will notice that the guards on each end protect their own basket. Standing by each cross forward is a circle

=Guard=

who endeavors to prevent an opponent from succeeding in her efforts for the goal, and on the cross end of the field the two cross guards are trying to protect their basket from the circle forwards.

The stars in Fig. 617 stand for the four linesmen, who must be continually on the _qui vive_ and report if a girl steps over the dividing lines.

Each umpire watches both sides; generally one umpire walks about just outside the field boundary line on one side of the field, and the other walks just outside the boundary on the other side of the field. It is optional which side they take, but they should not both be stationed on the same side. Fig. 617 shows the circle umpire on the right hand, and the cross umpire on the left hand of the field. The umpires are designated by circle and cross, with rays extending all around them.

The time-keeper stands outside of the field, that she may not interfere with the action of the players; other than that restriction, she may move as she pleases. In Fig. 617 the time-keeper is denoted by a round black spot.

The scorer must also keep out of the field proper and have her mind on her portion of the work. In Fig. 617 the scorer is designated by a square.

When all stand ready the

=Game=

begins. The referee tosses up the ball, and every one of the players on the field eagerly watches the two centres as they strive to catch the ball. The centre, gaining the advantage, endeavors to toss it to a girl on her own side, while the other centre does all in her power to prevent the ball from reaching its destination, often running in front of the victorious centre, blocking the way and still further interfering by throwing up her arms. If the first centre succeeds in tossing the ball to one of the forwards on her side, that forward immediately strives to get the ball in the opponent’s basket, but is constantly followed and opposed by the opponent guard, who endeavors to frustrate the play. Should the forward decide that the chances for gaining the goal are better if she throws the ball to another girl on her side, she does so with the hope that the other forward will succeed in caging the ball. If, however, the last forward be baffled, she tosses the ball either to her own centre, back to the first forward, or over across the field to one of her own guards, anywhere the rule permits in order to keep the ball from the hands of the opponents.

If one of the opponent forwards succeeds in capturing the ball she tries either indirectly, with the aid of others on her side, or directly, by her own exertions, to cage the ball in the basket of the opposite side.

The centre catching the ball from the referee is privileged to throw it to any player on her own side, either forwards or guards, at one end or the other of the field, her action depending upon circumstances. Sometimes it is more advantageous to toss the ball in one direction, again it is better to throw it in another. Therein lies the secret of good playing, the ability to see opportunities in time to profit by them and quickness and accuracy in measuring distances, so that the ball may land where the player intends to send it, not falling short or getting too far. The opponent centre constantly follows the centre having the ball, and is ever at her side trying to obtain the ball or prevent it from reaching its destination.

The forward catching the ball after it has been advanced to her by her own centre or by guards from the other end of the field, or obtaining it from an opponent, generally throws for the basket, and she must be able to make the goal under many difficulties and from various positions. Should the ball miss the basket the forward will have no time for regrets, it being necessary for her to turn her immediate attention to regaining possession of the ball or to preventing it from falling into the hands of the opposing guard.

The forward must have a cool head, must be calm, and able to decide and judge quickly; she must take the situation in at a glance and make the most of any, even the slightest, opportunity of forwarding the interest of her side.

The guard’s principal duty is to prevent opponents from getting the ball into the basket belonging to the guard’s team, and when possible to obtain the ball and throw it to the centre on her side, or across to her own forwards.

The guard’s position requires that she be very skilful and constantly on the watch to defend her goal.

The players are on the field in couples, but the two standing together are always opponents; a player is never stationed by one of her own side. The game is thus in part played in couples, that is, the two placed together pay especial attention to each other and are, for the time being, each the particular opponent of the other, trying to foil all efforts of the other to gain any advantages in the game, at the same time endeavoring to assist the players on her own side.

The inner divisions for fouls, Fig. 614, are ignored except when a foul has been made; then the side opposed to the one committing the foul has a free throw for the basket and the foul court is in use. The player having the free throw stands on the line in the centre of the circle of the foul division (Fig. 614), and must be allowed to take time to aim well and throw for the basket. No other player is permitted to stand in or pass through the limits of this court while the player with the ball is trying for the goal. The object in marking the inclosure is to prevent any other girl approaching nearer than six feet to the player throwing for the basket. The foul court must be absolutely free from all obstruction during a free throw, nor shall the player having a free throw step from the station line until the ball has entered or missed the goal.

When a player is given the privilege of a free throw, the ball cannot be tossed to any other player; it must be thrown for the basket. Should this rule be violated, the goal will not count if made, and the referee takes the ball and tosses it up in the centre as at the beginning of the game. If by chance the free player is interfered with in any way, and she fails to make the goal, she can try again, and then, in case the ball does not land in the basket, the ball is in play and the game continues.

The ball may be thrown or batted with the flat part of the hand in any direction, either with one or both hands.

While in the field a girl cannot carry the ball nor hold it longer than three seconds; she must play it from the spot where she catches it, unless she happens to be running. If while running she catches the ball, she must stop as soon as possible; should she fail to do so, in the opinion of the umpire, the umpire may call a foul. When the player captures the ball she either throws it at once or stops running as soon as possible. Allowance is made in such cases, but the player cannot consume time by turning around without making progress in the game.

A player cannot bound the ball on the floor more than three times, and never lower than the height of the knee; however, this does not interfere with her throwing for a goal twice or more in succession.

The player who has the ball is the only one in the field who may be intentionally blocked in her way; all other players must be free from intentional interference.

The foul which disqualifies a player counts against her side.

The ball is

=Out of Bounds=

when it completely crosses the boundary line of the field. Should it bounce or roll back again the game continues, except if the whistle of the referee is blown; then the ball is put in play as if it had not returned to the field.

The time allowed for a game is always divided; when the first part has been played, time is called for a rest by the whistle of the time-keeper. Generally the intermission lasts ten minutes, sometimes longer, the game being resumed after the recess. While resting the players wrap themselves up to keep from taking cold, and are not permitted to drink cold water.

After each goal the referee puts the ball in play in the centre of the field; this she must also do at the commencement of the game and at the beginning of the second half of the game. At the end of the first half the sides change goals, except in case of a tie, when the game continues without changing goals until either side has made two additional points. These points may be made either from field or from fouls. The game is won by the side scoring the greater number of points during the entire game.

If the goal (in case of uprights) is moved by an opponent when the ball is on its edge, one point is scored by the side throwing the ball.

The game is decided by the winning of the most points in the actual playing time. When there are two fouls at once on opposite sides, each side has a free throw for the basket; afterward the ball is put in play from the centre by the referee. Whenever it becomes necessary for the referee to call “time,” because of illness or accident to a player, play must be resumed in five minutes. If the injured player is unable to resume play

=A Substitute=

may take her place, or the game may start at once without her. If a substitute takes her place she cannot play again during that game.

=Rules=

A goal made from the field counts two points; made from a foul, one point. If a player by mistake should throw the ball in her own basket, it counts for the opponents.

After time has been called the referee puts the ball in play by tossing it up in such a manner that it will drop near the spot where it was when time was called, unless it was held out of bounds. In this case play is resumed at the whistle of the referee as if time has not been called.

The two opponents nearest this spot when time was called vie with each other to obtain the ball after play is resumed. They are indicated by the umpire.

When the ball is held by two or more players for any length of time the referee blows her whistle, stops the play and throws the ball up from where it was held.

Whenever the ball is put in play the players who are to first touch the ball must not stand further than two feet from the spot where the ball is to fall.

When the ball goes out of bounds and remains there, it must be returned by the player first _touching_ it. There can be no interference with her returning it; that is, no portion of the person of an opponent may be outside of the field of play. The ball cannot be touched by an opponent until it has crossed the line. If either of these rules is violated, the ball is to be returned to the player who had it and the ball again put in play at the original place.

The player holding the ball may throw it in any direction into the field of play from any spot (outside of bounds) on a line drawn at right angles to the boundary line at the point where the ball crossed it. The ball must be _thrown_ into the field of play. When either of these rules is violated the ball goes to the opponents at the same spot. The ball must be thrown to some player and disposed of before the player who passed it can again play it.

When a player obtains possession of the ball outside the limits of the field she is allowed five seconds to hold it; if the ball is held longer it goes to the opponents. In case of doubt in the mind of the referee as to which player first touched the ball, she tosses it up into the field of play at the spot where it went out.

When the ball is _batted_, _rolled_ or _passed_ from the field of play, in order _to claim exemption_ from interference it must be given to the opponents at the point where it left the field of play. When it is passed to a player out of bounds the ball is given to the other side. _Carrying_ the ball from the field of play is a foul. When the centres are jumping for the ball and one of them bats it to out of bounds, it is in play and goes to the other side.

A goal scored by a player while any part of her person touches the ground out of bounds shall not count. In such a case the ball is put in play in the centre of the field.

If a player throws for the goal and the whistle of the referee, umpire, or time-keeper sounds while the ball is in the air, and the throw results in a goal, it is a count.

When the umpire’s whistle sounds simultaneously with either the referee’s or time-keeper’s, the umpire’s takes precedence.

A goal scored before the whistle can be blown for a foul made by the side scoring, does not count; but if a player while throwing for the goal is fouled by an opponent and succeeds in scoring, both count.

Two hands on a ball are necessary to secure it. In case of doubt in the mind of the referee as to which player first put her two hands on the ball, she shall toss it up at the spot where it was held by the players. In no case may a player remove the ball from the hands of an opposing player, either by _snatching_ or _batting_.

The ball may not be held longer than three seconds.

The ball may not be “juggled”; _i.e._, tossed into the air and caught again to evade holding.

Crossing field lines with any part of the body constitutes a foul.

No player may lean over or reach over another player.

No player may hand the ball to another player. The ball must be _thrown_ to another player.

=General Fouls=

Players addressing officers.

Kicking or striking ball.

Carrying ball.

Bounding ball more than three times, lower than the knee.

Holding longer than three seconds.

Delaying game.

Tackling, holding, pushing opponents.

Snatching or batting ball from hands of opponent.

Juggling.

Crossing or stepping on the field lines.

Leaning or reaching over another player.

=Fouls for Which Players May be Disqualified.=

Roughness.

Striking.

Kicking.

Shouldering.

Tripping.

Hacking.

Unnecessarily rough play.

Should any question come up not covered by these rules the officers may decide the matter in accordance with the spirit of the game.

These official rules are intended especially for girls' basket ball as played in most of the well-known colleges, Vassar, Bryn Mawr, Smith, Wellesley, etc., and by the majority of schools except in and around New York, in which section both girls and boys play the boys’ game. This differs from the girls’ in having greater freedom and consequently more action, players being allowed to run to any part where they think they can be of most use within the extreme limits of the field. The dividing lines from side to side of the field are omitted, and the girls must be equal to greater exertion and more violent action for the boys' game.

The girls’ game is considered the safest and best for them, being adapted for girls; yet some champion players prophesy that ere long the boys’ game will be the one generally played by both girls and boys. If girls enter into the boys’ game they must keep in training that their strength may equal the demands. They must not shed one tear when occasionally hurt, though such accidents need not occur if all rudeness is avoided. Should one girl unintentionally run against another during the game, precious moments cannot be wasted in apologies, there being no time for either excuses or tears. While the sport is going on the player’s mind should be all earnestness and determination, too intent upon the game to allow thoughts for other things. Girls will soon acquire greater moral and physical courage by playing basket ball, and sufficient nerve to keep back the tears. Their self-control will be vastly improved and their endurance, strength, quickness of action, and judgment rapidly strengthened. All these qualities are essential, not only in basket ball, but in helping one to understand the art of living.

Players should wear tennis

=Slippers=

in order to avoid slipping, sliding, and injuring one another with heavy heels, should one player accidentally step on the toes of another. The

=Gymnasium Suit=

of short, full, divided skirt, gathered zouave fashion at the knee, and a loose woollen blouse or sweater, forms a comfortable, sensible uniform for basket ball. If desired a knee-length skirt of stout material may take the place of the divided skirt, but never attempt to play in a long dress or tight clothing.