The History of Women's Basketball

The history of women's basketball is almost as old as that of men's basketball. When Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in 1891, he probably didn't realize that women's basketball would begin one year later. Naismith couldn't have predicted the popularity and following women's basketball enjoys. The game has changed along the way, baby, to get where it is today.

Regulated Rules
In 1892, Senda Berenson, a gymnastics instructor, wondered if basketball would be a fitting activity for those of the female persuasion. Victorian morals required women to show little skin. And, most people thought women were too fragile to play the game.

Berenson adapted Naismith's invention by dividing the court into three areas. Next, she restructured rules so women could not steal the ball, hold it longer than three seconds or dribble the ball more than three times. She believed that this would prevent women from developing nervous tendencies.

By 1918, the rulebooks were written, and the game more closely resembled the men's game. In 1925, the sport's popularity grew to cover 37 states, which hosted state tournaments. And by 1971, a five-player, two-court system became the norm. 26 years later, the WNBA season kicked off.

WNBA Takes the Court
The WNBA was founded in 1996 as a counterpart to the NBA. Regular season games take place from June to September. Playoffs begin in mid-September and are completed sometime in October.

Teams competing in the U.S. include: Atlanta, Chicago, Connecticut, Detroit, Indiana, Los Angeles, Minnesota, New York, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, Seattle, and Washington.

The History of Women's Basketball Rules
A few differences exist between men's and women's round ball rules.

• In women's basketball, the ball has a maximum circumference of 29 inches and a minimum of 28.5 inches. The weight of the ball will be no less than 18 or no more than 20 ounces.
• The standard court size is 94 feet long by 50 feet wide. For WNBA competition, the three-point line extends 20 feet, 6.25 inches from the middle of the basket.
• Women's teams use a shot clock, too. WNBA players have 24 seconds to shoot the ball.
• A women's basketball game consists of four 10-minute quarters.

Women's basketball has adapted its style of play throughout the years, and provides spectators with a fast and furious game.