Then and Now on the Court: teacher key

Basketball, grade 5 edition, written for 5th grade. The first basketball rules were very different from today's. Compare the game of 1891 with the game played now.

Read the book. Print this page for the key.

Questions and answers

1. How long were the first games' halves?
   • 15 minutes (answer)
   • 12 minutes
   • 10 minutes
2. What happened under the first rules after three fouls in a row?
   • The game ended
   • The other team was given a goal (answer)
   • The player left
3. How many minutes are in an NBA game?
   • 40
   • 60
   • 48 (answer)
4. Who got the ball back out after a goal in the first games?
   • A person by the basket (answer)
   • The coach
   • Nobody
5. How were the first rules different from today's rules?
   • A player could not run with the ball (answer)
   • Players could run with the ball
   • There were no teams

Words

• invented: made up
• batted: hit with hand
• fouls: broken rules
• backboard: board behind hoop
• periods: game parts