Basketball was invented in the late 1800s by Dr. James Naismith, and within his lifetime the sport had acquired a worldwide popularity, first appearing in the Olympics in 1936. Basketball was born of the need for a team sport that could be played indoors during the winter months. Its equipment, including the backboard, has gone through a number of changes since the first game.
Early Backboards
The first basketball backboards featured were made of wire mesh and were only erected to prevent spectators from interfering with shots, the HoopTactics website explains. These mesh backboards, introduced in 1895, were replaced in 1904 by wood backboards, then, in 1909, by plate glass versions; the modern game features less-breakable Plexiglas or other transparent synthetic material. Initially, the backboards were erected flat against gymnasium walls, but to prevent injuries to players driving for lay-ups, a 2-foot gap was created between the backboard and the wall in 1916.
Current Dimensions
Today's backboard sits 4 feet in front of the out-of-bounds line — a change instituted in 1939 to free up movement underneath the basket, according to HoopTactics. The backboard is 6 feet wide and 42 inches tall, the SportsKnowHow website adds; the inner shooter's square is 24 inches wide by 18 inches tall and is oriented in the center of the backboard, immediately above the rim. The outline of the square is 2 inches thick.
Role of the Square
The primary function of the square on a basketball backboard is to aid in aiming a shot. With the proper spin on the ball, shots placed in, on or near the square on the backboard have an increased likelihood of going through the hoop and scoring points. The exact placement of the ball in regards to the square depends on the location of the shooter on the floor, but players can use it it from anywhere on the basketball court to improve aim when shooting. The genesis of the original square on the backboard, however, remains unclear.
Modern Play
Modern basketball players use the backboard much less than players from past generations. Although players dispute whether using the backboard and the shooter's square boosts the accuracy of shots, some great players of recent decades were known for their frequent use of the backboard and backboard square to make their shots. Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen and longtime San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan have both been recognized for their ability to make shots using the backboard. For the most part, however, using the backboard is increasingly becoming a lost art.
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