It was played both ways. I played 2 guards, 2 forwards and two rovers. Rovers were allowed to run the whole court whereas forwards and guards were restricted to their half of the court.

But I've heard of other areas where it was 3 and 3.

Rita

My understanding of the division line was to limit the amount of space that the offensive team had in which to play keep-away.

Before returning to the backcourt became a violation and the 10 second limit in the backcourt was established, it was nearly impossible for the defending team to get the ball away from the offensive team if they didn't wish to try for goal.

The game needed a proper balance between the offense and the defense so the amount of space in which the offensive team could operate was reduced. This restored the balance and gave the defending team a legitimate chance to steal the ball.

Where?

I agree with this description. The 6v6 discussion has actually been quite interesting. Years ago, whenever I had a player who didn't like to play defense, I would tell them they went to school in the wrong state -- and would end up explaining the "Iowa Girls Basketball Rules" at a high level.

I would have to look it up, but I believe 6-on-6 basketball actually started before the division line rule in 1933, which means it's original intent was for 6-on-6. Also, I believe Iowa was the first state to use it, then others adopted it but made modifications. Iowa's was 3 offense and 3 defense, because I remember the defense having to pass the ball to their offensive players across the division line. I'll look up the date on 6-on-6's creation to make sure, but then again, I could be wrong.

Thanks, Rita.
Was there also a 3 dribble limit?

Just looked it up (I'm an academian so the temptation hit me as soon as I posted a few minutes ago). Iowa started playing 6-on-6 girls basketball in 1919-20. It was the only game in the state for the girls until 1984-85, when they added a 5-player class. The 1992-93 season was the last for 6-on-6. The following season (93-94), they split into 4 classes for 5-player ball.

That would be pretty good evidence that the original purpose for the division line was for 6-on-6 basketball, because it predates the 1933 rule change creating the division line for the purpose of the 10-second count.

Yes, Ref Ump, you are indeed correct. You will see another thread concerning the "second" intent of the division line.

Semantics, but, I think you guys are comparing Granny Smith's with Washington Reds. If the boys games never played 6v6, the introduction of the division line had no effect on them regardless of it purpose for the girls game. (It was just another volleyball line in the court). Once the boys decided they needed to limit the space that the offense could work in, they decided that a line that was already marked on the court would work fine.

The line has two original purposes, one for boys and another for girls.

I can tell you in Iowa the limit was two dribbles. There were quite a few other differences (the pivot foot could be lifted prior to the release of the first dribble, as long as the downward motion had started prior to lifting the foot).

I believe there used to be a version (somewhere?) that divided the court into three parts. Two guards, two forwards, and two in the center area for each team.

I had thought they started 5 on 5 in Iowa in the late 70's (with the big schools), but I'll defer on that.

Guadalupe, CA.

Rita

I have no idea what that is. And, I may not remember anyway since I'm so OLD!

Rita

In Iowa 6 on 6, a dribbler could only legally bounce the ball two times (thus two dribble limit) before she had to stop and hold the ball.
Outside the lane, it was illegal use of hands to touch the ball while being held by an offensive player.

I do remember it wasn't uncommon for scoring averages to be obsurdly high since all the offense was spread just three ways instead of five.

Yes, both team and individual scoring averages were ridiculous. Just take a gander at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's website. They have some historical information there. Some of the girls teams were scoring in the 60's and 70's before the boys were. Some girls were even averaging 60's before Wilt Chamberlain was. But it was a fun game to watch, because it really made one think about their fundamentals more.

Except dribbling. :)

One of the main selling points in pulling them into the late 20th century was the fact that the rules were costing a lot of girls college basketball scholarships. They were too specialized; forwards couldn't play defense, guards couldn't shoot the ball, and none of them could really handle the ball.