Thirteen Rules of Basketball - James
fouls (five in a quarter for NBA play) now award bonus
Naismith
Basketball is an original American game invented by Dr.
James Naismith in 1891. He designed it with rules of its
own. These are the rules published in January 1892 in the
school newspaper where he instituted the game.
The rules set out a game that is a non-contact sport played
indoors. They are familiar enough that those who enjoy
basketball over 100 years later will recognize it as the
same sport. While there are other, newer rules, these still
form the heart of the game.
Original 13 Rules of Basketball by James Naismith
1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or
both hands.
Current rule: This is still a current rule, except that now
the team isn't allowed to pass it back over the midcourt
line once they have taken it over that line.
2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or
both hands, but never with the fist.
Current rule: This is still a current rule.
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 running at good speed.
Current rule: Players can dribble the ball with one hand as
they run or pass, but they can't run with the ball when
catching a pass.
4. The ball must be held by the hands. The arms or body
must not be used for holding it.
Current rule: Still applies, it would be a traveling
violation.
5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping
in any way of an opponent. The first infringement of this
rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall
disqualify him until the next goal is made or, if there was
evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the
game. No substitution shall be allowed.
Current rule: These actions are fouls and a player may be
disqualified with five or six fouls or get an ejection or
suspension with a flagrant foul.
6. A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of
Rules 3 and 4 and such as described in Rule 5.
Current rule: Still applies.
7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls it shall
count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means
without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).
Current rule: Instead of an automatic goal, sufficient team
free throws attempts to the opposing team.
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 no touch or disturb
the goal. If the ball rests on the edges, and the opponent
moves the basket, it shall count as a goal.
Current rule: In the original game, the basket was a basket
and not a hoop with a net. This rule evolved into the
goaltending and defense pass interference rules.
Defenders can't touch the rim of the hoop once the ball
has been shot.
9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown
into the field and played by the first person touching it. In
case of 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 persists in
delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.
Current rule: The ball is now thrown in by a player from
the opposite team of the player who last touched it before
it went out of bounds. The 5-second rule is still operative.
10. The umpire shall be the judge of the men and shall
note the fouls and notify the referee when three
consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have the
power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.
Current rule: In NBA basketball, there are three referees.
11. The referee shall be the 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.
Current rule: Timekeepers and scorekeepers now do some
of these tasks, while the referee determines ball
possession.
12. The time shall be two fifteen-minute halves, with five
minutes rest between.
Current rule: This varies by the level of play, such as high
school and collegiate. In the NBA, there are four quarters,
each 12 minutes long, with a 15-minute halftime break.
13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be
declared the winner.
Current: The winner is now decided by points. In the
NBA, five-minute overtime periods are played in case of
a tie at the end of the fourth quarter, with the point total at
the end determining the winner. If still tied, they play
another overtime period.
Dr. James Naismith's Original 13 Rules of Basketbal
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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 at a good speed if he tries to stop.

4. The ball must be held in or between 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 intent to injure the person, for the whole of the
game, no substitute allowed.

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

7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls, it shall count 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 edges,
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. 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 persists 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
consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have power to disqualify 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 15-minute halves, with five minutes' rest between.

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

Note: Basketball was originally two words and these original rules were published January 15, 1892 in
the Springfield College school newspaper, The Triangle.