November 21, 2005

Grannie Basketball: Grannies in eastern Iowa have formed a basketball league of their own, reviving the game as it was played in the 1920s. They wear vintage uniforms and play by vintage rules: six-on-six ball with no running or jumping (no WNBA jokes, please).

posted by dusted to basketball at 03:47 PM - 15 comments

Via Obsure Store and Reading Room.

posted by dusted at 03:48 PM on November 21, 2005

Obscure, I mean... This is pretty cool:

posted by dusted at 03:51 PM on November 21, 2005

awesome. thanks dusted.

posted by goddam at 04:05 PM on November 21, 2005

This is cool. Iowa was one of the last states to play the six on six format. The modern day six on six was a little different that the six on six decribed in the article. The third court was done away with and basically it was a three on three game. One teams three gaurds played the other team 3 forwads. The guards only played defence. Growing up in Iowa, it was the only Girls BB game I knew. In the late sixties early seventies, very very colleges let alone high schools, played girls basketball of any kind.. Iowa was one of the few states that has a long history of Girls BB. Thanks for the post

posted by daddisamm at 04:07 PM on November 21, 2005

That is really neat. I think my mom who is 70 would like to do something like that. I would enjoy going and watching her play. I tell you they have more heart than alot of us (me included) couch potatoes. I sure do enjoy watching sports but as for playing them that ended when I hit 30. Swim class at the Y and riding my bike is all the activity these knees can see anymore. Well there is the once a year softball game at church. I stand and applaud anyone who continues to live their dreams into old age.

posted by skydivemom at 04:40 PM on November 21, 2005

GO LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted by countrygirllostinLA at 05:50 PM on November 21, 2005

Good on 'em for getting out there and doing it.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 06:21 PM on November 21, 2005

That is so flippin cool Go Grannies

posted by Dav at 06:33 PM on November 21, 2005

When they say "no running", does that mean they can only walk as they dribble? Or is it really like the original rules, which allowed no movement with the ball whatsoever, making it entirely a passing game (like Ultimate)?

posted by DrJohnEvans at 12:20 AM on November 22, 2005

Looks and sounds like netball to me. Which is still going strong in parts of the world. But the 'no running' rule does cause a few knee injuries with all the sudden stopping.

posted by owlhouse at 01:16 AM on November 22, 2005

One thing I've wondered about in this format: Is there a half-court inbounds pass after baskets, given the no-crossing-the-line rules. If not, from where does the ball enter play? And good on 'em for playing!

posted by ajaffe at 07:35 AM on November 22, 2005

This is great: the original spirit of the game. You can't be a ball hog here.

posted by tadley86 at 08:07 AM on November 22, 2005

In the "modern version of "six on six" you were allowed two dribbles at a time. I am not sure as to what the 1920 rules were. Passing was indeed encouraged.

posted by daddisamm at 09:14 AM on November 22, 2005

Granny on the right is showing a little knee-cap during that lay-up. Anyone else a little aroused?

posted by HATER 187 at 10:36 AM on November 22, 2005

Yup, sounds like netball to me.

posted by salmacis at 01:23 PM on November 22, 2005

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