rey | NEW TYPE BACKBOARDS TESTED

‘During the New York meeting of the Rules Galak ies, three new types of
backbeards were exhibited and tested in the gymnasium of New York University
$e +tf% members of Committee.

One of the boards was of the conventional ' x 6' size with a convex
surface; the second board was substantially the same but with the four corners
rounded; and the third board, which was built on specifications drafted by the
research body of that Committee, differed considerably from the backboards in
use today. :

As illustrated, this 'fan shaped' board, which also has a convex surface,
is approximately 8" wide x 27" high and has a curved 2," radius top. The lat-
ter board received considerable attention. Use of the convex surface increases
the scoring zone for a straight shot to the goal by 27 sq.ft. and will un-
doubtedly overcome many of the complaints that have resulted from the optional
use of the ' end line in relation to the many of fensive a daaniis that have
been developed inthe past several years.

Likewise, the use of a rounded surface reduces considerably the mental
hazard of a player in direct line with the edge of the conventional flat sur-
face board. Increased visibility for spectators is likewise a favorable fac-
tor of this backboard. It is thought that much of the space in the conventional
lt x 6' backboard is seldom used and could be eliminated, by the possible adop-
tion of a board approximately of the size mentioned above.

The clean cut, streamlined appearance of this new thought in backboards,
received considerable favorable comment, and further investigation of the smaller
and convex surface idea in backboards is being made by the noun Se of the

Rules Committee.