Wheelchair Basketball
Overview
Wheelchair basketball is a dynamic and inclusive sport adapted from running basketball, designed primarily for those with physical impairments that affect their lower limbs. Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, and competitive sport.
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Who can Play?
In general, any individual unable to participate in stand-up basketball as a result of a disabling condition or injury is eligible to play wheelchair basketball internationally. Disabilities include: amputee, spinal cord, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, etc.
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However, within Canada, able-bodied athletes can participate and compete up to the national level, including Canada Games!
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Classification is based upon sport-specific tests, rather than a medical diagnosis or muscle function examination. Each player is assigned a classification number that is based on shooting, passing, rebounding, pushing, and dribbling ability.
Classifications range from 0.5 to 4.5. In most divisions, the combined number of player points of the five players on court must not exceed 14 at any time.
Did you know?
Within Canada, able-bodied athletes can participate and compete up to the national level, including Canada Games!
Rules
As in able-bodied basketball, wheelchair basketball is played by two teams where the object is to shoot the ball into the opposing team’s basket. Every team is comprised of five players and seven substitutes.
The objective is to score more points than the opposing team by the end of the game, which consists of four 10-minute periods.
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After gaining possession of the ball, the offensive team has 24 seconds to attempt a shot. After a team scores, the ball is given to the opposition to restart play.
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Players must dribble the ball when having gained control on the court. It is a traveling violation to take more than two pushes on the wheels without dribbling the ball.
Equipment
Athletes compete in manual wheelchairs that are specially designed for wheelchair sports, including basketball.
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Wheelchair basketball is played on a standard basketball court with the same basket height, foul line, and three-point line as in standing basketball.
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At Parasport NB programs, all equipment is provided.
History
Wheelchair basketball has been played in Canada since the 1940s, with early teams like the Montreal Wheelchair Wonders and Vancouver Dueck Power Glides.
Canada entered world competition in 1953 when the Montreal team represented the nation at the Stoke Mandeville Games.
The first Junior Men’s World Championship (now U23) was held in Canada in 1997, where the host nation won gold, and Canada also hosted the first Junior Women’s U25 World Championship in St. Catharines, Ontario, in 2011.
In women’s senior competition, Canada has been particularly successful, winning five World Championship gold medals.
