Basket ball for men

Front matter

i

FOR MEN

BY WALTER E. MEANWELL, M. D., Dr. R H.

Preface

In any competitive sport tAVO factors always require the serious attention of a coach, skill in the technique of the game and perfect balance in the physical functions of those participating. In this volume Dr. Meanwell, basing his opinions on the experiences of years of successful basket ball coaching, gives to the coach and player alike the common sense rules of conditioning and training which are of value not only in emphasizing the importance of proper preparation for this sport, but in correcting many of the fallacies and superstitions of former methods of coaching and training. Basket ball must be considered a major sport in which structural injuries are not common, but in which serious functional damage may occur in the youth unless intelligently and skillfully supervised. Therefore, definite instruction from one who has carried so many teams through seasons of strenuous games is most acceptable to those viii PREFACE

who are interested in interscholastic and intercollegiate sports, not only because of the stimulus of competition, but because of the benefits to the individual in properly directed big muscle activities.

Joseph A. Evai^s, M.D., Professor of Medicine^ University of Wisconsin.

Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

I. History of Basket Ball . . , . 1

II. Equipment of the Player .... 10

Introduction

There has been such a demand for information as to the methods employed in the training and conditioning of my teams, and in teaching the individual and team technique of the pivot and short pass style of game, that I have found recourse to publication of the material advisable.

In this book I endeavor to explain only the type of game that I have employed with my own teams and I exclude from consideration other varieties of basket ball, however efficient and satisfactory they may be. I have found the pivot and pass game to be steadier and more consistent in my hands than other styles of play, and more likely to produce a leading percentage of victories regardless of occasional defeats, usually inflicted by teams trained and pointed for that particular contest, than any other type of game. That this opinion is shared by others is illustrated by the spread of the pivot-pass style of game thru the successful coaching of a number of my former pupils, now xiv INTRODUCTION

in important positions. In fact, at this time, the pivot and pass style of play is being employed in the Western Conference by the Universities of Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Ohio State — a fact that will not lighten my owa problems.

To those who criticise the short-pass game as being too fatiguing I would answer that the records of my teams show them to be materially better in the second than in the first half, and towards the close rather than at the beginning of the season — ^both good tests of condition.

To those who feel that the highly developed individual and team play is too advanced for boys of high school age I cite the fact that I originated the pivot-pass game for Settlement House teams composed of boys 16 years and under, and that those teams played as well and as successfully as any of my subsequent ones.

The training and conditioning methods are based on the principles of the physiology of exercise and of dietetics, rather than on the empirical ideas of old time athletic training. It has been my observation that most players are worked too hard and too often and that many unnecessary and harmful restrictions as to diet

INTRODUCTION xv

are imposed on them; and my experience that men can be brought to perfect condition for athletics, without recourse to unusual methods, and mth a minimum of disturbance of their normal modes of life.

Walter E. Me an well.

Chapter I History Of Basket Ball

Unique Origin — Basket ball is nniqne among the national sports, in that it was a deliberate invention to meet the need for an indoor game which would be the great seasonal game in winter, as football is in Fall, and base ball in Summer.

Basket 'ball was deliberately originated in 1892, by Doctors Naismith and Gulick, at the International Y. M. C. A. Training School, Springfield, Massachusetts. Apparatus work and class exercises, indoor track, recreative games, boxing, wrestling, and other forms of exercise were conducted then, as now, indoors, and while many participated in them, the number was but a fraction of those who played the great outdoor games. Also, there was an evident dearth of interest and enthusiasm for the indoor games of that date as compared to the outdoor games. Something vital and worth while in the latter was lacking in the indoor activities aside from considerations of space and facilities. Stndy and analysis of the great popular games was therefore begun to ascertain the bases of their popularity.

Origin and Characteristics of the Great Games — The origin of the other great team games is obscure. They came into existence as the spontaneous activities of associated youth, and not as the work of any individual or group in particular. They developed gradually, through many years, and finally came to have more or less uniform rules in the course of centuries of play. Thus foot ball dates back a thousand years to its obscure beginning in England, while the other great traditional sports, as Baseball, LaCrosse, Cricket, etc., were practiced, in their original forms, centuries ago. They all present a history of gradual evolution as to style of play, rules, numbers engaged, and the like. They all possess similar play elements and major characteristics, chief of which are :

Competition — A youth delights to measure his strength, endurance, skill, strategy, and daring with his fellows ; Cooperation — or the team element, by which he strives for the success of

HISTORY OF BASKET BALL 3

Hs team rather than for his own individual glory, and wins or loses with his gronp, though still amply able to display ability and initiative and to achieve personal distinction; Personal Contact — the shock of man to man, which requires and encourages in the players the development of speed, strength, skill, courage and endurance, and high powers of co-ordination. All were games played with a ball, which insures by its vagaries a multitude of rapid changes and possibilities, and which in consequence requires numberless immediate decisions and responses.

These were the chief characteristics of the old games, were the ones selected for incorporation into the new one to be produced, and are the chief bases for its tremendous growth, and popularity. Because of them, basket ball rewards its devotees more generously than does any other sport, with symmetrical physical development, strength, ability, endurance, fine powers of coordination, and habits of correct physical response; For training in initiative, decisiveness, and immediate response, and for developing traits of leadership, basket ball is second to no other play activity. Each member of the team is and must be his own field general, and is chiefly on his own responsibility during play, following out the main plan of the game in general, and cooperating with his fellows along established lines, but meeting the ever changing situations according to his own resourcefulness and initiative. That such a game develops the manly qualities and the essentials of leadership in an unusual degree is well illustrated by the record achieved in the recent war by the basket ball letter men of my six Wisconsin teams, from 1912 to '17 inclusive. There were nineteen in all. Every man but one won a commission in the branch of the service that he entered ; six became captains, and two were decorated or cited for gallantry in action.

Principles — In addition to the play elements enumerated, certain principles were also established for basket ball. These were, first, that the new game should demand of and develop in the players the highest type of physical and athletic development ; second, that it should be so readily learned that any individual could soon make a fair showing at, and gain pleasure from, the play, without a long period of practice; third, that on account of the varying sizes of the buildings available for the purpose, any ordinary hall or gynmasium would suffice, and that the equipment would be simple ; last, that

HISTORY OF BASKET BALL 5

it should be pleasing to beginners and yet be capable of such development as to hold the continued interest of the most experienced and proficient of players.

Evolution of the Game — Peach baskets for goals were at first used, and a football. The present rules and equipment were gradually evolved. The rules for men at one time included the division of the court by lines somewhat as in the present girl's game. Nine, seven, and finally five men have constituted the teams, and generally, basket ball has been gradually improved and modified as were the older team games, excepting that the process has been a much speedier one — just as the game is speedier than its predecessors.

Extension — The adoption and promotion of basket ball by the Y. M. C. A. led to its rapid extension throughout the country and thus, finally, to its acceptance by Colleges, other educational institutions and by athletic clubs generally. Because of its vigorous character, skill, speed, openness, and the beauty of its team play, basket ball has become the major sport of the indoor season. The simplicity and comparative cheapness of its equipment, and the fact that but five are needed on a team, especially adapts basket ball to the requirements of small institutions, high schools, boys clubs, and the like. It is often the only representative game for such organizations. All this has placed basket ball in the lead of all other sports A^ith respect to the number of its players, and of teams engaged.

Rules — For years the Y. M. C. A. teams operated under a code of rules compiled by officers of that organization, while the other principal promoting bodies, the Amateur Athletic Union and the National Collegiate Athletic Association, also had their own distinctive sets of rules. Again, and especially in the East, variations from all three codes of rules mentioned, were observed among the professional and independent teams. Diversity of rules and of types of play so hindered the progress of the game that several years ago a Joint Rules Committee, comprised of representatives from all three of the organizations named, met and formulated one uniform code kno^^ai as the Official Rules. This Committee still meets annually to consider changes and improvements.

The adoption of one official code of rules has done much to advance the game by establishing uniformity of rule, of refereeing, and of type of

HISTORY OF BASKET BALL 7

play throughout the country. The Joint Rules Committee has annually discussed, amended, and improved the rules in accord with suggestions submitted to it, until the present quite satisfactory set as presented in the official guide has resulted. It is decidedly to the best interests of the game that the official code be followed in its entirety, and to the exclusion of all variations.

Championship Divisions — There is no National Championship in basket ball covering all classes of players, and including Collegiate, Y. M. C. A., and A. A. U. teams, despite the frequent claims of various organizations to National Championship honors. The Amateur Athletic Union annually conducts sectional championships in various parts of the United States, and also a National Championship tournament for all teams enrolled or affiliated with it. The Y. M. C. A. does not endeavor to determine its championship team. Many of the colleges of the country are members of so called conferences, or associations, which determine the championships in their respective leagues, of these the Big Ten, or Western Conference, composed of ten large Middle West Universities, the Eastern Association of six, tlio Missouri Valley Coiiferenoe of eight versities, the Paeiiie Coast of six and the jN'orth-- west of seven members, are the greatest in influence and in number of students represented. There is a tendency for tlie champions of these college leagues to play post-seasonal intersectional series, and the practice is helpful and stimulating to the game, and to athletics generally.

Type of Play — Basket ball of late years has become an exceedingly fast, scientific and highly organized game. AYhile the type of game differs considerably in different sections of the country, two chief systems may be distinguished — the one calling for a series of short, fast passes in the attack, terminating linally in an attempt at goal from directly under or close to the basket, and the other style encouraging the use of long passes to bring the the ball to a scoring position. Quite frequently the long-pass style requires that at least one man be kept constantly near the basket. A combination of the two styles is more often adopted than is the use of either one alone.

The styles of defense include the more recent ^' five-man-' defense in which each player actively guards an opponent when his team

HISTORY OF BASKET BALL 9

loses possession of the ball, and the older method of keeping at least one and sometimes two men constantly on offense, and the placing the burden of defense on the balance of the team.

Chapter II Equipment Of The Player

Not a great deal need be said concerning equipment; for the advisability of using a neat, well made costnme of pleasing appearance, good serviceability and of protective value, is apparent.

Shoes — The emphasis should be placed on the footwear. An adequate supply of good shoes, socks, and stockings should be provided. Sound feet are especially important in basket ball, and the character of the game, Avith its sudden jumping, starting and stopping on hard floor surfaces, entails great strain on the whole foot structure. The more need therefore that the feet be well cared for and well shod. Arch and other foot weaknesses, ''stone bruises,'' callouses, blisters of various kinds, and the like, are prone to develop and may incapacitate the players except mth best of care.

In equipping college men or players of similar weight, it is well to supply the men with two pairs of shoes apiece. One pair, to be used for

EQUIPMENT OF THE PLAYER 11

all practices, should be of heavy cushion rubber soles. These give the maximum of protection to the feet, lessen the shock to the ankle, knee, and hip joints, and are best for heavy men. Cork insoles may be added for further protection. The other pair should be similar in makeup, but of lighter weight and construction, and should be used for play in the regularly scheduled games only. Two sets of shoes for the team is not an extravagance if they are used for their specific purpose only. The light shoes will last out the games of a season, and will always be in such good condition as to insure against slipping in play or against breaking in a game, as frequently occurs when a well worn practice shoe is used. Furthermore, the change to a lighter shoe for match contests gives a feeling of added strength and spring to the men that is of value. Ball players profit similarly by the swinging of two bats for a moment before stepping to the plate. The heavy cushion soled shoe is not so essential for the play of boys of high school age or younger. These lighter players usually prefer, and can stand, the hard treaded rubber soled shoes. There has been a variety of very satisfactory shoes of this type placed on the market of late. Cork insoles inserted into the shoes that are becoming too loose will add to the comfort of the player. They mil also aid in preventing chafing, callouses, blisters, and the burning sensation that some complain of when wearing rubber soled shoes at the beginning of the season. The use of the soft rubber heel cushion, sold by shoe stores, or of a piece of porous sheet rubber, or of a piece of a red rubber bath sponge placed in the heel of the shoe, affords valuable protection against bruised heel, a common and very painful minor injury. These pads are also useful in cases of blistered heel where the aim is to raise and fix the heel in the shoe.

Laces — Good new linen laces give better satisfaction than the buckskin ones usually sold with the shoes ; the latter are prone to become loose.

Stockings — The heavy, hard worsted, footless stocking is best and most economical in the long run, though costly at first. One pair should last a player an entire season with reasonable care. Beneath these wear cheap uncolored cotton socks or those of mixed cotton and wool materials or, better by far, use the short, all wool athletic socks now available. These should be laundered frequently. Fail-

EQUIPMENT OF THE PLAYER 13

ure in this precaution is responsible in part for the infected blood or water blisters that so commonly aifect and frequently incapacitate players on improperly supervised teams. Collect and launder the socks frequently. If wool socks are used let the men rinse them out in cold water while at their showers every second or third day. Keep them clean. Watch for holes in the socks and stockings. Never let a man play with a broken sock, for the much feared blisters are then a certainty.

Ankle Braces — Some coaches do not permit the use of any ankle support whatever, except to men with definitely sprained or weakened ankles. I prefer to make the wearing of ankle braces optional with the men, but require the routine use of a piece of unbleached muslin about two inches mde and three feet long wrapped in a figure eight around the instep and then around the ankle, much as track men apply them. This is a cheap little bandage that gives both arch and ankle valuable support, tight or loose, as the individual feels the need, and affords protection to the arch of the foot, and to the ankle as well. These protectors should be worn in all practices. But when the ankles have been definitely sprained or weakened, then they should be strapped with adhesive as will be described later. In individual cases, laced leather braces are valuable. However, the elastic ankle bandage is the most commonly preferred, and the most satisfactory one for stock or routine purposes. Surgeon's adhesive tape splints are the most valuable supports for badly weakened ankles, but taping takes lots of time, quite a bit of skill in application, and is expensive.

Knee Braces^^ext to the care of the feet and ankles, the knees are of most importance, and should be well protected. Serious injury to the joint may be incurred from falls on the hard floor. Infections, often serious and incapacitating, frequently follow ^* floor burns,'' bruises and abrasions, resulting from falls. The commonly used elastic knee bandage or support, does not aiford sufficient protection. It is mainly useful as a support to the joint and as a garter. The best knee protector is the padded canvas guard with circular bands of elastic above and below the knee. Eegardless of variety, the chief point aimed at, protection, should be secured. The type I have last recommended has given my men the greatest satisfaction.

Supporters — The all elastic bike jockey strap is the best stock strap. As with socks,

EQUIPMENT OF THE PLAYER 15

tliese should be washed frequently, and it is well to have them innnersed in a five per-cent solution of carbolic acid after each practice, and wrung out before being hung up for the night. This will absolutely prevent the socalled ^'Gym itch'' or reddened, itching, chafed areas in the folds of the skin at the groin.

^^Gym itch'' is due to a fungus which lives and thrives in the skin, and is readily transmitted from one person to another by infected towels or clothes. The carbolic acid readily kills the parasite in the clothes and it is also a good deodorant, reducing the body odors of the dressing room markedly. Do not understand that this solution will prevent chafing. True chafe mil still continue to occur until the skin surfaces are hardened to the work but is soon recovered from with the use of a bland salve, such as zinc oxide, or boric acid, ointment, or plain vaseline, followed by talcum powder. It is often advisable to wear patches of woolly sheep skin under the supporter, and in contact with the chafed areas until these have healed.

Suits — The style of shirt or pants worn is relatively unimportant. Shirts should be of vivid color so as to contrast with the dark apparel of the spectators.

Chapter III Training, Conditioning, And The Care Of Injuries

The term framing embraces all the exercises engaged in to produce individual skill and technical ability, and the development of team play. Conditioning means the upbuilding and developing of the body to a high degree of physical efficiency, by means of exercise, the application of sane rules of living, and by the use of helpful measures in the care and treatment of injuries and physical weaknesses. The training and conditioning of the team are the most important factors in the success of the season, more so even than the quality of the material. They are best discussed simultaneously, and are so here. The care and treatment of injuries will be treated separately. Methods differ materially, even successful ones ; however, one can usually pick the old and seasoned coaches from the young inexperienced ones, and the successful from the unsuccessful,

16:

by a few minutes' observation of their routine work.

Overwork — In general most of tbe inexperienced coaches and practically all of the unsuccessful ones, train or exercise their men too much, too long, and too hard. When the men have gained good physical condition and reasonable skill for the practice experienced, and are in the midst or towards the close of their schedule, long, fast, and gruelling practice should be abandoned. It is difficult for the inexperienced coach to recognize when to ease up, when to cut the practice in half, or less, or even when not to practice at all; and especially when not to scrimmage. More teams are overtrained than are undertrained. Also, teams that are out played towards the close of a game, after leading at first, are apt to be overtrained, as also are those that lose frequently towards the close of the season after a successful start.

Training Exercises — Basketball is so very vigorous, and requires such a characteristic quick, sudden start and stop, that any effort to train the men by means additional to the practice of basketball, such as running on the track, calesthenics or setting up exercises, etc., is useless and detrimental. This wastes time and energy that should be spent with the ball. All and often more exercise than is needed can be obtained in the practice of the rudiments of the game, and in the team scrimmages. In my own early days of play we often preceded the night's practice by calesthenic work and ended it by a long run, sometimes out of doors, to develop endurance, not realizing that the step and stride of the runner and of the basketball player are radically different, as well as are most of the muscular coordinations involved in the two activities. Our calisthenics and wind up run should have been omitted during the season, tho valuable at other times. Running is often useful for men who have been so injured that actual practice is inadvisable, but who must exercise to maintain condition and weight. Once three of my regulars on a university team were quarantined because of the presence of a scarlet fever case in their boarding house. They returned to the team at the close of the quarantine on the day of an important game and played throughout at top speed, having maintained good condition during the lay off by means of slow, graded, cross country runs late at night. In general, however, exercises should be confined to the practice of basketball.

Early Practice— At the beginning of the season the candidates for the team will report in varying physical condition. Some will be overweight, some soft and easily winded, and again there will always be some who, through over conscientiousness and desire to make good, already have gone beyond mid-season weight and condition and are under weight and run down. All these candidates are enthusiastic and anxious to make the team and the practice starts off with a burst of speed and energy. It is here that many are practically put out of the running, or, at best, badly handicapped for weeks or all season, by the results of unrestrained work in the first few practices. Never permit unsupervised practice or allow the men to work except under direction. Check them, restrain them, keep them all moving all the time— but with moderation as to the character of the work and the length of it. Cease practice before they are tired and send down early and in advance of the main squad any individuals who may show signs of distress. Watch the men for signs of marked fatigue; make the practice short and peppy; engage

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entirely in the fundamentals of the game for at least two and preferably four weeks. Eegardless of the early physical condition of the candidates or of the positions for which they are trying out, give the same preliminary work to all. This, while moderate, will be difficult enough for the overweight lads, to whom even light work will be trying and will reduce them, will harden the soft ones, and will increase the weight and strength, and improve the condition of the thin, over worked fellows, by normally stimulating their appetites and digestive powers, and inducing restful sleep. The man already in fair condition does not need more than the moderate practice given the others, and it will leave him with worlds of energy and good nature — ^good things to have on the squad.

Weight Sheet — A record of the weights of all players throughout the season, taken before and after practice, is of great value to the coach. The men should weigh stripped. A record sheet with the names of the men alphabetically arranged on the left and with ruled columns for the weights for each practice at the right of the names, should be posted in the dressing room close to the scales. Insist on exactness as to the taking and recording of the weights. Comparison of the weights lost through different kinds and lengths of practice will afford the coach valuable knowledge as to the severity^ of his various training exercises, and as to the amount to require. In general one can also determine the fellows who are easing up in their work, or who are overdoing, by the comparative loss of weight in each individual case. Once the men are in fair condition there should he no further reduction in iv eight as the season progresses^ and the loss of weight through a practice should be regained the foUomng day. These are fundamental considerations in conditioning teams, and should be observed strictly. Especially among high school and young boys' teams one sees very many cases of players who have lost from eight to fifteen pounds during a season. In one high school tournament I attended, all but three of the players had lost over five pounds each and some up to seventeen pounds. Most of the boys had the white, thin, drawn look that signifies over work. It is the exception to see ruddy, plumpcheeked boys towards the close of the playing season whereas it should be the rule. It can not be over emphasized that continued loss of weight during the playing season is a positive indication for a cessation or a decided let up in the amount of work required.

After a few practices, depending upon the number of candidates out, and the amount of time available for training, the squad should be cut to a good working number, usually about fifteen men. Those dropped should be encouraged to join secondary teams so as to secure further practice and development in preparation for further tryout. I have twice had men make the varsity squad for the first time in their senior year after failing in previous seasons, and then become regulars on the team. Such boys develop and mature slowly, and lack sufficient strength and stamina until an additional year or two of age has come to them. Therefore, have a second squad, or a similar group, to which such men can be assigned. Keep first class men only on the first team, for the fewer they are the more individual instruction can be given them. This is the most productive of results. When the squad has been cut to good working proportions, the boys should be called together for instructions and the rules for the season announced. The general policy and aims of the coach should be stated at this time, and what he will require of the players and why.

Diet — As to diet, it is unnecessary to impose restrictions on those living under home conditions. The ordinary every day diet to which these players are well accustomed is usnally the very best that can be secured for them. Advise moderation at the meal preceding the regular practice, and heartier eating at the other meals. Let the appetite guide as to what to eat excepting that highly spiced and strong tasting foods should not be eaten at the meal preceding practice, and not at all on the day of a game. What is eaten at meals prior to the one before practice is of little consequence providing it is good wholesome food. A good deal of unscientific hodge-podge still clings to the athletic dietary, and many coaches still deprive their players of butter, sugar, desserts, ice cream, milk, certain vegetables and many other articles, that have absolutely no detrimental eifects, and have, on the contrary, decidedly beneficial ones, if eaten in ordinary moderation.