Does anyone know when the prohibition against returning to the backcourt was put in?

It's possible that that rule predates the 10-second limit, and thus could have been the original reason for the introduction of the division line on the boys side.

If that's true, then in order to Ref Ump Welsch's argument to hold up the backcourt restriction would have to have entered the game post 1920. It's possible that he using the wrong rule from the boys' side for comparison.

Yer prolly too young.

Netball?
 

This sounds like Netball, but it has seven players and dribbling is not allowed. It is the most popular womens sport in Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, United Kingdom and South Africa. The USA has a team, but they suck :) most Americans have never heard of the game, let alone played it.

Fwiw
 

Google sez - "Netball is considered themostpopular women’s team sport in the world. Although invented in the United States in 1891, it is considered a “new” sport in its country of origin yet is a high profile, prime-time TV sport in the United Kingdom, the Caribbean, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. It continues its rapid growth in the United States, Africa and Europe, as the strong lobby of Olympic inclusion builds. "

Yeah it's funny, most people think that netball a a derivative of basketball, but it was actually invented first. It is becomi g increasingly popular as a mixed sport in Australia, it is a great sport for basketballers to play to improve their shooting - there's no backboard!

Mick's version was played in VT till about 1970 or so.

I used to know a girl who played 6-on-6 in Iowa. She was recognized as an All-State player, and never scored a point in her career. She was strictly a defensive player. Kind of weird to hear it that way!