Wheelchair basketball was developed by soldiers after World War 11. It is one of the oldest adaptive sports and was one of the original sports included in the first Paralympics in 1948. 

 

As with most adaptive sports, the goal is to keep the adaptive version as close to the standing version as possible. The court size, basketball, scoring, and most rules are the same in wheelchair basketball as in standing basketball. Games may have four periods of 10 minutes or two halves of 20 minutes.

 

The biggest difference between standing basketball and wheelchair basketball is in dribbling. To dribble in wheelchair basketball, the ball can be held on a player’s lap for two pushes before the player must bounce the ball on the floor, or pass or shoot. To take a third push would be considered traveling. Thus, there is no double dribbling in wheelchair basketball.

 

When shooting free throws, only the rear wheels must be behind the line, keeping the distance more equal to standing basketball.

 

With younger players or beginners, modifications can be made to accommodate the varying abilities. Prep or Junior teams might adjust the court size, length of games or equipment. For example, an 8.5-foot basket or a smaller ball such as a woman’s or rookie ball are common modifications used.

 

For more information about wheelchair basketball, check out these sites:

 

National Wheelchair Basketball Association: https://www.nwba.org/ 

 

Move United Wheelchair Basketball Resource: https://moveunitedsport.org/app/uploads/2021/07/Wheelchair-Basketball_PRINT-1-1.pdf

 

Move United: https://moveunitedsport.org/sport/basketball/ 

 

Challenged Athletes Foundation: https://www.challengedathletes.org/training-zone/