Basketball in 1891: Play by Naismith's 13 Rules

The class plays basketball with the original rules James Naismith wrote in 1891: no dribbling, accumulated fouls and a center jump after every basket. Then they compare that game with today's and analyze how tactics and intensity change when the rules change.

How to play

1. Read aloud a summary of the 13 rules from 1891: no running with the ball, pass with one or two hands, no hitting with the fist, two consecutive fouls give the other team a basket (4 min).
2. Play 7-on-7 games with the original rules on two courts; each team names an official and a scorer, like the umpire and referee of the era (10 min).
3. Analysis break: teams note what tactics emerged, such as short passes and constant cutting (3 min).
4. Second half with modern dribbling rules and five players per team, rotating players every 3 minutes (9 min).
5. Final comparison: which rule changed the game most and why dribbling was introduced, linking it to how the sport has evolved (4 min).

Rules

• No holding, pushing or hitting opponents, just as the original rules said.
• Don't rip the ball out of an opponent's hands.
• Two consecutive fouls by the same team give a point to the other team.
• Officials rotate every game.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair user: the 1891 rules ban moving with the ball, which makes taking part easier; the ball may rest on the lap.
• Autism: have the rules written with picture symbols and a go-to teammate on the team.
• Hearing impairment: officials use hand signals and a colored flag along with the whistle.

Learning goals

• Learn the origins of basketball and how its rules have evolved.
• Adapt tactics to the rules in force.
• Officiate fairly by applying a historical rulebook.

Equipment for a class of 25

• balls: 2
• pinnies: 14
• worksheets: 4
• stopwatch: 2

Teacher tip

With the no-running rule, intensity goes way up because of all the cutting: use this to talk about how rules shape effort.

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