Girls' Basketball in Iowa - The Six on Six Rules

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The first girls' athletic union in the country was started by a group of men who relaunched the state tournament. By 1934, the union codified a set of rules for the girls' game. Only forwards shoot, guards only play defense and everyone has to stay on their assigned half of the court. Lisa Bluder is head coach of the women's basketball team at the University of Iowa.

In the 20th century, Iowa high school girls basketball was HUGE but it was not the game we know today. In 6-on-6 basketball, the three forwards only play offense. And the three guards only play defense. No one is allowed to leave their assigned half of the court. 6-on-6 still uses the full length of a basketball court, but in a different way than 5-on-5. In 6-player, three forwards from one team and three guards from the opposing team play at one end of the court. Meanwhile their teammates wait at the half court line. This basketball variant made for high scores, quick action, and the girls who played it were local superstars.

Six-on-Six Basketball