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Wheelchair Basketball is a fast paced and energy filled game in the wheelchair sports community. It is a sport that provides exercise, physical fitness and recreational or competitive opportunities for all. First played in 1945, the sport was initially used as a form of therapy to rehabilitate disabled veterans but by the mid-1950's, a more competitive atmosphere had developed.

Wheelchair basketball is now the most widely participated in of all wheelchair sports. Programs include recreational and competitive opportunities for juniors to adults, coaches and officials. Come out and give it a try whether you just want to play recreationally in your community or have dreams of playing on the national team.

What's unique about this game?

Players are allowed to double dribble. After two pushes you must dribble the ball or pass it.  Able-bodied (AB) and athletes with disabilities can play together on the same team.
 

Depending on ability level, players are classified and assigned a point value ranging from 1.0 to 4.5. Teams may only have a combined total of "14.0 points (amongst the five players) on the floor" at any one time.

Who can play?

Wheelchair basketball programs are offered to people who have physical disabilities and people who do not, and to all age groups, from eight-years-old and up. Wheelchair basketball is for anyone who wishes to participate. It is, however, recommended that you have good upper body mobility and use of a manual chair for a positive sport experience.

How is the game played?

Wheelchair Basketball is played on a standard sized basketball court. For adults, the height of the basket, distance to the foul line, three point line, etc., are the same measurements as in the game of stand up basketball. For juniors, some programs offer 6 to 8 foot hoop heights to ensure that they have fun and experience success.

Rules for wheelchair basketball vary little from standard basketball rules. In Canada, FIBA (International Basketball Federation) rules are used with minor changes to reflect the use of a wheelchair. These changes do not change the way the game is played, but instead are used to interpret the rules affected by the use of a wheelchair.

Basic Rules

The game consists of 4 ten minute quarters.

The wheelchair is considered part of the player's body in relation to establishing responsibility for contact on court in the case of charging, blocking, going out of bounds, and other violations.

A player may wheel the chair and bounce the ball simultaneously, however, if the ball is picked up and/or placed on the players lap, he/she is only allowed to push twice before they are obligated to shoot, pass, or dribble the ball again.

There is no double dribble rule in wheelchair basketball. A traveling violation occurs if the player takes more than two pushes while in possession of the ball and not dribbling.

In addition to the technical fouls that may be assessed from time to time as in stand up basketball, a player lifting his/her legs to gain an advantage or lifting out of his/her chair is given a technical foul. The player must remain firmly seated in their chair and must not use his/her lower limbs to steer the chair or gain an unfair advantage.

You can find a complete listing of the IWBF's offical rules on the CWBA Website