Pelican Rapids Public Schools
Pelican Rapids, Mine.

Office of F
br 20, 1940
The Superintendent oor + e

Coach Phog Allen,
Lawrence ,Kansase

Dear Mr Allen :

I understand that you are interested in new ideas about basketball
and that you are on the Rules committee. I also suppose that you receive many
freakish ideas about changing basketball. However I have an idea that we tried
out in basketball- in practice= that I think has possibilities. Wetaped the
floor according to the drawing made on the floor drawing inclosed, with the
different scoring zones counting one,two and three points. The advantages of
this are many,with the only drawback being that one might think it difficult
to determine from what zone the score was made. However this does not prove
to be a difficulty when the game is actually phayed,as we discovered. One man
is free to watch the play and the other the zone lines.

The principal advantage of this is that it takes most of the play
away from the basketp&brings the middle of the floor into the game. It makes it
easier for the officials because the men are in the open more and not crowding
the basket where the basket counts only one point. It makes the boys think more,
as they have to determine for themselves where they want to shoot from, It gives
the shorter boy a chance with the taller ones if therg-are as good shots. It
develops basket shooting which after all is what basKetball should be. It is more
interesting for the spectators. Physical freaks are not at a premium as they i
the present game. It would really give coaches womething to work on in Bhs
an offense and also am defense. In fact it would make the game more interesting
al11 round. Most of the baskets would be of the 2 point variety but there would
be enough of the others to add zest to the play.

What do you think of this idea? I have talked this over with
several coaches in this territory and several of them have suggested that I

write you. What do you think of ite?
(FZ yy Ain