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

[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.

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.

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.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

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.

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

[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.

[Oz Referee]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

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.

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.

[mick]

Originally Posted by Oz Referee

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.

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. "

[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