What was (is) the purpose 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. "

[Oz Referee]

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!

[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

[Adam]

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.

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

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.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

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.

[mick]

Originally Posted by Rita C

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

Rita

Yer prolly too young.