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The simple rectangular shape was adapted to unskilled methods of construction. It
was not uncommon for country schools to construct backboardsby using the bumpboard
from a corn husking wagon or some similar contraption. The simplest type of car-
pentry is required in the making of a rectangle. It merely required 2 hammer, a

aw and a square. In fifty years many changes have occurred. More care is given
the accurate construction of playing equipment and inoxpensive boards made of stecl,
plywood, bakelite or other synthetic materials have been developed. An improved
type of basket without projecting brace rods has been perfected and engincers have
designed flanges which made attachment of baskets to the backboard a simple matter.
There is no difficulty in producing any shape and there seems no good reason for not
eliminating the waste space which is found at the corners and margins of the old
rectangular boarde

, Changes in the location of the backboard with reference to the end wall and the end
line and the development of new skills in throwing field goals from behind the plane
of the backboard have made the waste space on the large board a detriment. It also
interferes considerably with the vision of spectators who may be compelled to sit
in parts of the building which are not between the planes of the two backboards.

The game has developed in such a way that it is a real problem to provide a suf-
ficient number of seats from which the game may be viewed. Basketball courts have
a maximum cf only eighty six fect for seats on the sidelines between the planes of
the two baskets. There is almost no other game that has this handicap in visibil-
ity. Anything that can be done to relieve this difficulty is worthwhile.

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The Transition Period

 

The transition to the smaller backboard may be gradual. As far as expense is con-
cerned, there should not be a great deal of waste in making the change. Very few
schools, clubs or playgrounds have a sufficient number of backboards. In case new
ones are to be installed, the old boards can be moved to a cross court to permit
additional use of the playing space by greater numbers of players. Players adjust
themselves quickly to the slight differente in appearance and a few minutes practice
is usually sufficient to allow the players to make proper adjustments.

In order to make easy transition from the rectangular board to the smaller board,
the National Committee recommends that where boards of the rectangular size are
used, the space which is not to be fowmd on the smaller type board be painted with
a dark paint so that the white portion on the large board is the same size and
shape as the entire smaller board. This will give the boards somewhat the same ap»
pearance and should remove any handicap which might develop through playing on
courts equipped with boards of different sizes.

All in all, it looks like a great season for the greatest of indoor sports. The
game is keeping pace with developments in related ficlds of endeavor. Progressive
athletic departments are making plans to bring their equipment up to date,