Excerpt from Scientific Basketball

With the increasing interest in basketball as the game advanced in years came a wider experimentation in different styles of play. Where leagues and tournaments are formed and championship series for cups are played, teams invariably' make an annual house cleaning. Reviewing their record and making comparisons, they manage to find that in this manner. Their defense was inefficient, that by use of other formations their offense might have been strengthened, and generally invent new systems or experiment with those essayed by other teams. The game has consequently advanced. With every season it has grown more scientific, more complex, and more difficult to master. On the offensive, teams have attempted systems built around dribbling, others around long distance shooting and wholesale following up of shots; some have specialized in the long passing game; others have made use of no special system whatever but have relied upon individual strength. But in general the tendency of late has been to de velop the short, conservative passing game.

Concerning styles of defensive play there have been even wider differences of opinion and greater experimentation. Many have advocated and made use of the zone defensive; some the first man thru system; others have believed in taking one's nearest unguarded Opponent. In recent years, the system which has rapidly gained in favor is the five-man style of defense in which each player is responsible through out the game, with but few exceptions, for the guarding of his Opponent. The five -man game has always been m use inprofessional circles and has only recently come over to the amateur class where it has met with only mediocre success owing to lack of experience and capable teaching.

It seems inexplicable at first consideration of the subject why the amateur basketball player, as represented on the college and larger athletic club teams, is so much inferior to the man who makes the game of basketball a profession. We occasionally witness the graduation of a college baseball star right into the ranks of the Big Leagues and also note that the majority of the professional football elevens are recruited from amongst college stars of the so-called all-american cali bre. This sort of thing does not exist in basketball. I have never seen a college player in all my years of association with collegiate basketball who has had the ability, the polish, the experience required of a successful professional player. A great many collegiate court stars have the potential ability of great basketball players, but at the very height of their amateur game they seem to lack the fundamental groundwork which professional men carry on to the court with them.

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