Evolution of the Game: A Look at the Changing Rules of the NBA Through the Decades

Basketball as we know it today has evolved drastically over time. If you look at the NBA rulebook now, there are 14 rules listed. Unlike the original rules, the 14 NBA rules each have many situations listed, going very in-depth.

These cover everything from the basics of the game to complex situations and incidents. However, this understanding of the game took years of time, experience, and play: which has forced the sport to adapt and change since its creation.

In 1891, the structure of the game was created by James Naismith. 13 rules were formed that laid a simple foundation for the game to grow and change. Published in the Springfield College school newspaper, The Triangle, in January of 1892, the original rules by Naismith were as follows:

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.

2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands (never with the fist).

3. A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, allowance to be made for a man who catches the ball when running at a good speed.

4. The ball must be held in or between the hands; the arms or body must not be used for holding it.

5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, tripping, or striking in any way the person of an opponent shall be allowed; the first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul, the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made, or if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game, no substitute allowed.

6. A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violation of rules 3 and 4, and such as described in rule 5.

7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls, it shall count a goal for the opponents (consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).

8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the grounds into the basket and stays there, providing those defending the goal do not touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edge and the opponent moves the basket it shall count as a goal.

9. When the ball goes out-of-bounds it shall be thrown into the field, and played by the person first touching it. In case of a dispute, the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds, if he holds it longer it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.

10. The umpire shall be judge of the men, and shall note the fouls, and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.

11. The referee shall be judge of the ball and shall decide when the ball was in play, in bounds, and to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made, and keep account of the goals with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.

12. The time shall be two 15-minute halves, with five minutes’ rest between.

13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winners. In case of a draw, the game may, by agreement of the captains, be continued until another goal is made.

Many of these rules resemble what we have in the NBA. Naismith’s first two rules have remained largely unchanged over the century between its creation and now. Players can still throw the ball in any direction with any amount of hands. Also, players cannot punch the ball.

While the first two remain largely unchanged, the third rule has seen some variation. A player still cannot run with the ball, but has gained the ability to move with the ball. This movement is dissimilar to what the original rule says. There are no specific exception if the player catches the basketball, “when running at good speed.”

To combat this circumstance, players now are able to take two steps after catching the ball before they must shoot or pass. This third rule has evolved into the ‘traveling’ rule we see today. If they continue to move after their two steps whilst holding the ball, the rule ends play and the other team receives the ball.

The forth and fifth rules have remained mostly the same. Rule four says that you cannot use your body to hold the ball. However, players now are allowed to use their body to shield the ball from defenders.

In the modern NBA rules, players still cannot push, shoulder, hold, or trip opponents. There has also been the addition of specific restrictions against striking an opponent with an elbow or other body parts. The fouls called from these has changed.

Fouls described in rule six have seen drastic adaptation over-time. A foul today is not called for the violation of rules three and four. Although, rule five still calls for a foul, but depending on the circumstances dictates what kind of foul.

The modern NBA includes a more complex system of fouls. Players can receive technical fouls and personal fouls, but each of these has its own long list of situations that have been created as the game has been played over time.

Depending on the type of foul- results can range from free throws, to penalties, to even ejection from the game. This is different from the original guidelines of the rule which says the other team gets a point after someone makes three fouls. However, the three fouls described in rule seven had to be consecutively made, but today there is no requirement for fouls to be uninterrupted.

Amount of fouls has also changed. The then three fouls has become five in high school and college play, and the NBA allows for six.

Rule eight has remained mostly as is, although the definition of a basket has been adapted to the varied shots possible. Then you saw a point-per-basket, but now you can get a single point from a free throw, two points from shots within’ the three-point-line, and three points from shots outside the three-point-line.

The basket cannot be moved though. Those rules circulated the once peach basket that was used for the game. Now, there are metal baskets connected to a backboard that remain stable throughout the game.

When the ball becomes out-of-bounds, as listed by rule nine, it still gets thrown into the field by the opposite team of the player who knocked it out. However, there is no dispute case where an umpire throws the ball into the field.

Players still get fives seconds on the side-line. Also, there are still fouls called on delaying the game.

Rule ten holds little structure and definition on purpose. The lack of understanding of the sport at the time required a rule like this. The addition of the expansive rulebook the NBA has now has mostly diminished any need for this rule.

The referee roles described in rule eleven has mostly stayed the same. Multiple referees and more responsibilities have evolved the position.

In rule twelve, the two 15-minute halves became four twelve-minute quarters. A halftime in-between the sets of quarters has replaced the five-minute break. The clock stops for fouls and time-outs which extend the game, as well as overtimes.

Typically, a regular season NBA game lasts about two and a half hours.

Lastly, the thirteenth rule that governs the case of a tie lists that play shall continue until a point is scored. The NBA now has overtimes which are five more minutes of play and begin with a jump-ball. Team with more point after the five minutes wins, but if they tie again another overtime can be played. Infinite overtimes can occur, although fatigue might limit that extent.

The rules of the NBA that govern play have developed to improve the quality and flow of the game. Each rule has a story of the circumstance that it was needed to be implemented. While the rules are distinctly different, the goal of the game has remained consistent through the test of time.

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