"Girls' Basketball - Including Summary of the Official Rules"

I went to the library today. I love to read, but I very infrequently visit the library. Ashamedly, I did not get my student ID activated to check out books at the Asbury library until April. I do, however, know where all the hockey related books are in the Asbury library -- oh yeah, all six of them.

Today I was at the Greencastle library. Oh, now, you must realize that Greencastle is a bustling metropolis -- and thus, the library is quite fantastic. haha. They seem to always be fund raising, and currently you can buy books the library has discarded for a donation. What. a. freakin'. gold. mine.

I found this book -- "Girls' Basketball. Including Summary of the Official Rules" It was published in 1965... and it is quite...enlightening.

I plan on filling this book with sticky notes and highlighting my favorite sections and gifting it to my high school's girl's varsity basketball coach. Everyone deserves to know this information... so I would like to share with you my favorite sections...

#1. "A good outfit for the game" (picture included) - Your clothes for basketball should be fairly loose fitting to allow for easy movement. A blouse with shorts, or a tunic, are the most common uniforms, and socks and tennis shoes are a "must." I wish I could scan in the picture, it's priceless... The girl is so cute, so... 1965.

#2. Two teams of six players each compete in girls' basketball. Two players on each team are offensive players, two are defensive, and two are roving players. Six players?!? I honestly never knew that girls' basketball was once played this way. Best thing is, the players had positions, the defensive/offensive players aren't allowed to pass the center line... Woah.

#3. The purpose of jumping is to gain height. Here is the way you accomplish it: Assuming you are stationary, start with your feet in a narrow stride position, your toes pointing directly forward, your ankles flexed, and your knees bent (step 1). Your hips should be crouched, as shown in step 2. The amount of crouch will depend on your leg strength. A very low crouch usually assures a higher jump, but, of course, it requires greater energy. Pushing off from the balls of your feet and, at the same time stretching your arms forward and upward (step 3), make the jump by a forceful extension of your arms, ankles, knees, and hips (step 4). Pretty sure the pictures are the best part of learning how to jump, but I can't share them with you. Sad day.

At the back of the book there is an FAQ section, which is again, filled with extremely interesting information... haha Here are some of my favorites.

Q: What happens if both teams appear for a game with the same color uniform?
A: Players on the home team wear cloth coverings, called pinnies, of a contrasting color.

Really??? What a splendid answer.

Q: What happens if neither team is ready to play within 15 minutes after the game is scheduled to start?
A: The game is cancelled.

Great answer. Perfect solution.

Q: What happens if, due to an error, the free throw is directed at the wrong basket?
A: The free throw does not count.

Attempted at the wrong basket? Seriously? Why in the world would that happen??

After ready through this book, I can honestly be glad for the progressions that have been made in girls basketball over the last 50 years. Most importantly, the game is now played with five players... instead of six.

I'm sure the basketball coach who I plan on gifting this book to will be very happy to now have it in his collection... Although, it might be quite difficult for me to part with it. Just having step by step instructions on how to jump (complete with pictures documenting each step) is a great addition to anyone's library. There are also step by step instructions (with pictures) to several ways of passing, shooting, throw ins, subs, etc. (The back of the book informs the reader that 221 step-by-step live-action photographs are included) Like I said before, this book is a gold mine.

Oh, and the author's name is Mildred. Which adds to the awesomeness of this book by about 1000%.