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Wheelchair Basketball got a very early start in the mid 1950’s. It has grown from there to span many countries with the governing body broken into 4 zones to handle the size of the sport. The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) overseas the sport and the rules associated therein.
Wheelchair Basketball is very similar to traditional basketball in regards to playing on the same hard wood court, a 10 foot basketball rim height, standard basketball, and similar penalties. One of the primary rules that differ from traditional basketball is the rule of "Traveling." A wheelchair basketball athlete must not touch their wheels more then twice after receiving the ball or dribbling the ball so as not to "travel."
Other basic rules are as follows:
1. Four twelve minute quarters are played with a five minute overtime period if a game results in a tie after regulation play.
2. Twenty four second shot clock.
3. You have an eight second backcourt count.
4. You are allowed three seconds in the key.
5. You are allowed 6 fouls per player.
Similar to Wheelchair Rugby, players are given a classification point value anywhere from 0.5 to 5.0 in 0.5 point increments. Each player is given a point value depending on their degree of disability. Depending on your area of play, restrictions are set on the number of points allowed on the court at one time. For example, an able-bodied athlete that chooses to play Wheelchair Basketball would have a classification of 5.0 while a paraplegic below the waist would have a classification of 1.0.
Unlike many wheelchair sports, in some countries, able-bodied athletes are encouraged to play in a wheelchair beside the disabled athlete. To compete on an international level, within the IWBF, one must be a disabled athlete that has been properly screened and classified within the point system.
You can learn more about Wheelchair Basketball and all the rules that go along with it using the search at the top of this page. You may also want to visit you local countries wheelchair basketball website to learn more about the sport, rules, and search for a team.
If you are a player, we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to comment at the bottom of this page.
