Basketball

Wheelchair basketball can be one of the most intense team-based adaptive sports or just a few friends shooting hoops on the local court. The game is played on the same court with the same height hoop (except for some youth leagues).

Rule Differences

In order to avoid a traveling violation, you must dribble at least every 2 pushes.
There is no double dribble.
There are specific rules as to chair placement for free throws and 3 pointers.
Body to body contact is called similarly to able-bodied basketball.
As for contact between chairs, there is a concept of “path” dictating what motion players are entitled to.
In competition, each player is classified based on their disability (higher mobility being classified with a higher number, lower mobility being classified with a lower number), and there is a maximum classification total for players on the court at any given time.

Equipment

Wheelchair basketball does require a special basketball wheelchair. In addition to being able to withstand the beating of constant chair-to-chair contact, there are a few major differences between a basketball wheelchair and your everyday chair. Most importantly, basketball wheelchairs have a large amount of camber in the wheels, which is basically the angle of the wheels to the ground. The camber allows for quicker turning and agility. Another major difference is that there is one or more caster wheels (the little inline skate wheels) in the back, which prevents tipping. Players also try to gain advantages in height, making the chairs generally taller (within the rules). Lastly, your legs and, depending on your level of injury, your waist and torso are more secured in a tennis chair.

Equipment Vendors >

Considerations:

- Chair – Really the only consideration is finding a chair that fits, that’s durable, and that you’re comfortable in. While many players choose to play in more generic “sport chairs”, they are often built for non-contact sports and can be less durable. As with any chair, fitting is crucial.

More Resources

Move United Basketball Page
National Wheelchair Basketball Association website.

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