Girls and Athletics / Giving a brief summary of the activity, rules and method of administration of the following games in girls' schools and colleges, women's clubs, etc.: archery, basket ball, cricket, fencing, field day, field hockey, gymnastics, golf, hand ball, ice hockey, indoor base ball, rowing, soccer, skating, swimming, tennis, track athletics, volley ball, walking, water polo, water basket ball.

by Unknown

Water Basket Ball

[Reprinted from Spalding’s Athletic Library No. 361—Intercollegiate Swimming Guide.]

Water basket ball may be played in any pool, or if played in the open should not cover more than 2,500 square feet of space. The water should be of swimming depth, that is, the players must not be able to stand on the bottom. There should be lines drawn “across the bottom of the pool and up the sides 15 feet from the ends, called 15-foot lines.”

Equipment.—The necessary equipment is a regulation water polo ball and two regulation Spalding baskets with a firm background, 6 feet by 4, extending at least 3 feet above the top of each basket. The baskets shall be hammock nets of cord, suspended from metal rings 18 inches in diameter. The rings shall be 5½ feet above the water in the center of the ends of the pool. The inside rims shall extend 6 inches from a rigid supporting surface.

Teams.—Each team consists of six players-three forwards and three backs. Captains toss for goals.

Start.—Each team lines up at its own end; the ball is thrown into center of the pool; the forwards swim after the ball; the backs must play back and not swim up after ball. The forwards are the offensive players and should be the fastest swimmers. They should also be able to throw goals. The forwards advance the ball toward the opponents’ basket. The center forward should feed the two side forwards and guard the opposing center back.

Score.—A goal thrown into the basket from the field counts two points, and a free throw granted for a foul by opposing side counts one point. Teams line up as in beginning after a score has been made. The backs each guard an opposing forward and try to prevent their scoring.

Officials.—There is a referee who is in entire charge of game, calling fouls, free throws, time out and goals. There is a scorer, also a timer.

Time.—There are two halves, not less than five minutes nor more than eight minutes each, with five minutes intermission. Ends are changed at the beginning of the second half. Time is taken out for disputes, accidents, free tries.

Out of Bounds.—When the ball is sent out of bounds by one team it is given to a player of opposing team at place where it went out. Player must throw ball within five seconds or it is given to opposing side.

Free Throw.—A free throw is granted to a forward upon a foul made by opposite side. The free throw is taken from the fifteen-foot mark by one of the forwards, who is unguarded at time of throw. If the goal is not made, the ball is in play. If goal is made, play begins according to start.

Fouls.—The penalty for a foul is a free throw for opposing side. There are rough fouls such as kicking, striking, tackling, holding, deliberate splashings.

When an opponent has the ball she may be tackled and “ducked” under the water by one of the opposing players.

A player may not be held under water after she has let go of ball. A player may not tackle by or hold to opponent’s clothing, although blocking is allowed. There should be no holding with hands or legs. A player may not hang on to sides when she has the ball. The ball may not intentionally be held under water.

Tie.—A tie may be played off in another three-minute period. If game ends after foul is made, the free throw is taken. No goal is counted after whistle has blown.

In both water basket ball and water polo the swimmer should use the easiest and least tiring stroke. Whenever there is an opportunity, a rest either by hanging on to sides or treading water (see Swimming) ought to be taken. Both games afford opportunity for team work in passing and dribbling. In dribbling, the ball is kept in front of body within easy reach for a good pass if the dribbler is attacked.