at springfield ymca, naismith found teaching difficult. his class was restless and irritable because they had to stay inside in the winter. dr. luther gulick, leader of the springfield ymca physical education, told naismith to make up a game that could be played inside which would be a good "athletic distraction" in 14 days. gulick said that it should not need too much room, help the athletes keep healthy, and was "fair for all players and not too rough."