In December 1891, a Canadian physical education instructor named James Naismith created a new indoor sport to keep his students active during the harsh New England winter.
Assigned the task by his supervisor at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, Naismith developed a set of rules for a fast-paced game that combined physical activity with teamwork—but without the injuries commonly associated with football. What he came up with would become one of the most popular sports on the planet: basketball.
A Simple Beginning
Naismith’s concept was straightforward. He attached two peach baskets to the lower railings of the gymnasium balcony, one at each end. The game would use a soccer ball, and players would try to score by tossing it into the opposing basket.
The original rules forbade running with the ball and emphasized passing, positioning, and fair play. Teams consisted of nine players each. Every time a point was scored, the game had to pause so someone could climb a ladder and retrieve the ball from the basket. The first game was played in the Armory Street gymnasium on December 21, 1891.
The First Game and the First Goal
Eighteen players took part in that original game, divided into two nine-man teams. William R. Chase scored the only goal of the match, leading his team to a 1–0 victory.
One of the players, Frank Mahan, jokingly suggested calling the game “Naismith Ball,” but Naismith proposed something more descriptive—“basketball.” The game caught on quickly. A few months later, on March 11, 1892, the first public basketball game was played in the same gym, marking the sport’s official debut.
Early Changes and Equipment
As the game evolved, so did its equipment. The peach baskets were originally closed at the bottom, requiring manual retrieval of the ball. Eventually, a hole was cut into the basket so the ball could be knocked out with a stick.
In 1906, metal hoops and backboards replaced the original peach baskets. In 1894, Naismith worked with the Spalding company to create a ball designed specifically for the new sport, replacing the soccer ball.
The Original Rules
Naismith’s 13 original rules included several features still found in today’s game. Players were not allowed to run with the ball, physical contact was penalized, and the game was played in two 15-minute halves.
The focus was on precision, teamwork, and control rather than speed or aggression. Though many aspects have since changed, those first rules laid the foundation for a sport that would grow from a snowy gym in Massachusetts into an international phenomenon.
In December 1891, James Naismith invented a new indoor game to keep students active during winter.
Using a soccer ball and two peach baskets, he created basketball at the YMCA Training School in Springfield.
The first game changed sports history forever…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/KvdsitmXGN
— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) May 30, 2025