What was (is) the purpose of the division line?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Don't hear the term "rover" much anymore, do we? (Iowa folks might be the only ones who remember that).

I grew up watching this sport, but don't remember the term. Care to enlighten me?

[mick]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I grew up watching this sport, but don't remember the term. Care to enlighten me?

6-on-6 -> 2 defenders, 2 forwards, 2 rovers. = 4-on-4 each side.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by mick

6-on-6 -> 2 defenders, 2 forwards, 2 rovers. = 4-on-4 each side.

Not how they played when I was in school.

3 on 3 on each side. No rovers. 3 forwards, 3 guards, none of which could cross the division line.

[mick]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Not how they played when I was in school.

3 on 3 on each side. No rovers. 3 forwards, 3 guards, none of which could cross the division line.

I've been wrong before.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by mick

I've been wrong before.

Maybe they did it different in Oklahoma (the last state to do it aside from Iowa) or Michigan (did they ever do 6 on 6?) or before I was around in Iowa.

[deecee]

so the trail official knows when to stop moving forward?

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by mick

I've been wrong before.

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

[Nevadaref]

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.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

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.

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.

[mick]

Originally Posted by Rita C

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

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

[Adam]

Originally Posted by mick

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

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.

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by mick

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

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

Rita

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Not how they played when I was in school.

3 on 3 on each side. No rovers. 3 forwards, 3 guards, none of which could cross the division line.

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