WORLD SERIES BASKETBALL
Imagine


WELCOME TO WORLD SERIES BASKETBALL

Congratulations! You're in the middle of the World Series Basketball
competition. Everyone's out to beat you, especially the skillful
computer team. So if you want to win the series then you'd better
read this official program. With the right combination of passing,
shooting and strategy you may even become a World Star Player!
Have fun.


WORLD SERIES BASKETBALL
Its program code, graphic representation and artwork are the
copyright of Imagine Software (1984) Limited and may not be
reproduced, stored, hired or broadcast in any form whatsoever
without the written permission of the above named company.
All rights reserved worldwide. The program runs on the 48K
Spectrum.


LOADING
Type LOAD "" <ENTER> (Note there is no space between the
two quotes.) The " is obtained by pressing SYMBOL SHIFT and
the P key simultaneously. For further instructions consult the
section of your manual which deals with loading programs.
Now press PLAY on the recorder. The screen message should
appear and the game will load automatically. If this does not
happen try adjusting the volume and tone controls up until
loading occurs.


USING THE MENU
Once the program has loaded the menu screen can be
accessed from the demo mode or title screen by pressing a
key.
There are four status boxes: first, one displaying the present
number of players, or if practice mode is in operation; second,
one showing the skill level; third, the largest base displaying
the current control option for the players; and finally one
showing the colour of the players on-screen.
Further to this there is a list of keys which perform various
functions when pressed;
S - to start play;
I - to go to the screen instruction pages;
P - to alter the number of players and also practice mode;
L - to alter the skill level of the game;
C - to go to the controls editor;
G - choose between different colour options.
The practice mode can be accessed by pressing 'P' until
"Practice" appears. This facility allows you to practice the
different techniques required when playing Basketball.


CONTROLS
When C is pressed during the menu the controls editor will
appear. Player 1 is given the opportunity to redefine his control
keys or select a joystick. There are three function keys shown;
'ENTER' when complete; 'J' to select a joystick (continue
pressing to loop through options); or 'D' to redefine the keys.
When redefining keys a cursor will flash beneath the option to
be redefined, then the key you wish to define.

NOTE 1. When a two player game is selected, Player 2 has
the opportunity to use the controls editor after player 1 has
pressed 'ENTER'.
NOTE 2. The game hold button is defined as 'H'. This cannot
be changed nor can either player define 'H' as a control key.
NOTE 3. In a one player game player 1 has complete freedom
to select any control keys except 'T' or 'H,' but in a two player
game Player 2 cannot select a key used by Player 1.
NOTE 4. With a Sinclair ZX Interface 2 the port to be used is
indicated by 'LHS' (Left Hand Side) or 'RHS' (Right Hand Side).
World Series Basketball is one of a few games which allows
two players to play simultaneously with a joystick each.
NOTE 5. During play the game can be aborted at any time by
pressing 'T' and 'H' ('T' must be pressed first or the game will
halt).


THE GAME
The game is divided into two halves of 3 minutes each. The
game watch is stopped when the whistle is blown, so no
playing time is lost during stoppages.
A game cannot end in a draw. An extra period of 30 seconds
is played, plus as many extra periods of 3O seconds until a
result is obtained.


SIGNING ON
When you press 'S' to commence play you will be asked to
input your name, up to a maximum of 8 letters.
There is a delete facility using the Spectrum delete keys or the
Spectrum Plus delete key. If you opt not to enter a name the
computer will automatically call you "Player 1" or "Player 2".
When you complete the process press 'ENTER'. The computer
will now initialise the Screen. Player 1 controls the team in the
dark Strip and Player 2 (or the computer in a one player game)
controls the team in the light strip.
Play will now commence.


BASKETBALL the AIM
The aim of the game for each team is to throw the ball into
their opponent's basket, so scoring a goal, and to prevent the
other team from securing the ball or scoring. To achieve this
both teams play a "percentage" game. The team to attack
endeavours to move the ball to position from which they will
have a high percentage chance of scoring, while the
defending team attempts to stop the attacking team gaining
a position fora good shot thereby trying to give the attacking
team only the poor percentage shots, which are the long
range shots and those taken by closely marked players.


STARTING PLAY
The game is started by a "jump ball" at the centre when the
ball is thrown into the air between the two players standing in
the centre circle. Once the ball has reached the highest point
the two players may jump and tap the ball in any direction.
From then on, when the ball is in play it may be passed,
thrown or dribbled in any direction. Both quick passing and/or
dribbling should be used to move the ball into a scoring
position.


RULES INFRINGEMENT
The game is stopped when certain rules haw been infringed.
There are 2 important aspects of play controlled by the rules;
these concern contact and certain time rules.


CONTACT
When a player who is in control of the ball comes into contact
with a player of the other team, the "foul count" of the
offender's team is increased by one, and the ball is given to the
non-offending team fora throw in from out-of-bounds at the
side line nearest the place where the foul occurred. If a player
is fouled whilst shooting, and the goal is made then the goal
counts, the "foul count" of the offender's team is increased by
one and one free throw is awarded. If, however the goal is
missed then two free throws are awarded and if either or both
these are unsuccessful, one extra free throw is awarded. If
however the offending team has already committed four or
more fouls then two or three free shots are awarded.


TIME RULES
In the game three time rules apply; the 5 second rule, the 10
second rule and the 30 second rule.


5 SECOND RULE
This states that a player on a throw-in from out-of-bounds
must throw the ball to another in the court within 5 seconds
of receiving the ball. In the event of this rule being infringed
the computer will automatically make the player pass the ball
in the direction he is facing.


10 SECOND RULE
This states that when a team gains control of the ball in its half
of the court it must cause the ball to go into its opponents half
of the court within 10 seconds of receiving the ball. A failure to
do so results in a loss of possession.


30 SECOND RULE
This rule states that a team in possession of the ball must
attempt to score a goal within 30 seconds of receiving the ball.
A failure to do so results in a loss a possession.


"BACK TO FRONT"
A team will also be penalised with a loss of possession if a
player runs from his opponent's half into his own half while he
is in possession of the ball.




IMPORTANT

PLAYING HINTS TO MAKE THE MOST OF WORLD SERIES BASKETBALL

Learn to control your players quickly and develop your playing ability
with the following tips.

Whichever colour you choose for your players and court, you will notice
that one team has a solid strip and the other a clear strip. The Active
player (ie. the one being controlled) on each team has the same solid
or clear strip but is a different colour. You will notice as you move
the ball around the court that the active (ie. different coloured)
player changes not only for your side but also for the opponent. As you
get used to the playing techniques this switch, as the ball is passed
or intercepted, will quickly become familiar.
Use Symbol Shift and the appropriate colour to change the court while
playing (this change can also be made during the menu stage by pressing
the G key).

* When the fire/throw button is pressed once, the active player will
  jump or, if he has possession, throw a ball.

* The 'Fire' button may also be used to change the active player within
  your team. This is achieved by holding down the 'Fire' control - each
  of your players will jump in turn; when your chosen 'Active' player 
  does so, release the 'Fire' control.

* Learn the art of passing - moving the ball quickly between your team
  members on the way to the basket creates a tactical advantage since 
  your opponent must take time to re-select his active player to counter
  the attack.

* You cannot score with a direct shot if one of your own team is between
  the active player and the basket; you will instead pass to that player.
  This feature allows much more exiting game play in the basket area.

* The ball bounces off the backboard just like in the real game - if you
  judge the timing and directions correctly you can take advantage of
  this feature as a very effective game technique (use the shadow as a
  reference).

* When shooting, the length of throw is proportional to the length of
  time the fire button is depressed. This gives excellent control over
  passing and shooting and can be mastered by practice.

* The clock stops while taking free throws - so don't rush, take time
  for an accurate shot!

* When in the two player mode and a throw-in is being taken, guide your
  active player into the undisplayed section of the court (ie. off-screen).
  Your opponent cannot see your receiving player, who will gain the
  initiative through surprise (unless of course the opposition are clever
  enough to intercept the pass).

* A good "gamesmanship" move is to create "contact" between your player
  and the opponent's active player while you are in the air. You will be
  awarded a foul (similar techniques are used in the real game).


If these tips are used you will quickly develop the skills to utilise and
explore the excitement and interest in the game.


GOOD SHOOTING!
