A list of some of the changes and modifications made in basketball rules since 1891 follows, showing how the game changed through the years.

1893 - Three points for a goal and 1 for each foul called; pivoting allowed; two 20-minute halves; 5-man team suggested; center jump initiated.

1895 - Free throw line put on court at 15 feet; double foul defined; backboard introduced; time-out allowed for sickness or accident; 3-man officiating plan adopted.

1904 - Wood backboards adopted; ball out-of-bounds goes to the opponents.

1905 - Basic out-of-bounds and throw-in rules adopted; blocking prohibited.

1908 - Double dribble prohibited.

1909 - Glass Backboards legalized; player could advance with 1 foot without traveling.

1910 - Player with 4 fouls disqualified.

1911 - Two-shot foul adopted; 2-handed dribble eliminated.

1921 - Captain could call time-out only when his team had possession.

1923 - The player fouled must shoot the free throw.

1925 - Players on the same team could not wear duplicate numbers; 3-minute overtime for high school play.

1932 - Ten second back court rule adopted; front and back numbering on uniform; free throw lane space marking adopted.

1937 - Jump ball after each goal was eliminated; only 2 overtime periods are provided for high school play; all jump balls must occur at least 6 feet inside a sideline; 5 time-outs allowed in high school play; player prohibited from touching the ball or basket while the ball is directly above the basket.

1938 - "Sudden death" to decide tie games in first overtime for high school play.

1940 - Recommended players be numbered from (3) upward; fan-shaped backboard legalized; recommend home team wear light-colored suits.

1942 - The referee to toss the ball to start the game; technical foul free throws may not be waived.

1944 - Five fouls permitted prior to disqualification; player permitted to reenter any number of times; double free throw violation results in jump ball; basics of goal tending rule adopted.

1946 - Legalized transparent backboards; if a player stops with neither foot in advance, he can pivot on either foot; clocks starts when the ball is tossed on jump or crosses plane on a throw-in.

1947 - Rectangular target required on backboard; clock stopped for each dead ball in last 3 minutes of the 4th period.

1948 - Recommended that player who fouls should hold his hand above his head.

1949 - All periods started with a center jump; waiving of free throw not allowed in last part of the game.

1950 - Molded ball mandatory; clock is stopped for all jumps; substitute may enter only when the ball is dead and the clock is stopped; no official's time-outs in the 2nd and 4th quarter; all specific rules for the last 2 minutes of the 2nd half were removed; fouled player must raise hand above head.

1952 - Two free throws for non-shooting foul in the last 3 minutes of the game and overtime; 2 free throws for any intentional foul.

1954 - Bonus penalty for common fouls, except last 3 minute overtime periods; time-out may be requested when the ball is dead or in control of a player of the requesting team; minimum court dimensions deleted; attention called to dribbler's responsibility for avoiding contact.

1956 - Offensive goaltending adopted; no handing on the ring.

1957 - Twelve-foot lane mandatory; ball color must be tan or yellow; starters must be designated at least 3 minutes before the game; the single numbers 1 and 2 or a number greater then 5 are illegal; numbers must be 1 single contrasting color.

1961 - "sudden death" overtime eliminated, 3 minute overtime periods; no free throw for a player control foul; coach can instruct or signal players to call a time out; substitutes no longer have to report by position.

1967 - Mid-court lines established; 5-second count for holding and /or dribbling in the mid-court while closely guarded result in jump ball; players benches required on side of scorers' and timers' table; dunking illegal.

1970 - No dunking during warm-ups

1971 - National Federation published a rule book for girls' competition; official book to remain at the table during half-time; 5-second closely guarded count in forecourt; thrower may not leave the circle until restrictions end.

1973 - Solid colored shirts mandatory; padding on bottom of the backboard is mandatory; piping around neck and arm opening limited to 1-inch; head decorations eliminated.

1976 - Player may dunk except before the game or during intermission; bench technicals are 2 shots.

1983 - Two time-outs per half noncumulative; consecutive time-outs by the same team are prohibited; placing a hand on the backboard to gain an advantage is a technical; bench technicals are also charged to the head coach.

1985 - A 1-inch smaller and 2-ounce lighter ball adopted for high school girls which will become mandatory in 1988-89; each state may adopt scoring 3-points for a goal from beyond a 19-foot arc; adopted the "alternating possession" throw in for all jump or held ball situations except the start of the game and each extra period; coaches must remain seated while the clock is running or stopped except for limited specific situations; a fouled player may grasp the basket to prevent injury.

1991 - Three free throws to shooter attempting three-point shot.