rules to play wheelchair basketball

Any individual who, because of permanent severe leg disability or paralysis of the lower portion of the body, will benefit through participation in wheelchair basketball and who would be denied the opportunity to play basketball, were it not for the wheelchair adaptation, is eligible.

The height of the seat must not exceed 21 from the floor. The height of the foot platform or first point of contact must be no more than 4 7 8 from the floor. Seat cushions are permitted for medical and therapeutic reasons; a medium weight foam rubber is permitted (2 maximum thickness for Class III players and 4 maximum thickness for all other players). A heel strap of 1 1 2 width (minimum) must be attached to the foot platform bars. Each chair must be equipped with a roll bar or other protective device to ensure against damage to the playing surface.

The chair is considered a part of the player. General rules of contact in regular basketball (charging, blocking, etc.) apply to wheelchair basketball.

An offensive player cannot remain more than 3 seconds in the free throw lane while the players team is in possession of the ball.

A player in possession of the ball may not push more than twice in succession with one or both hands in either direction without tapping the ball to the floor again. Taking more than two consecutive pushes constitutes a traveling violation. A player, may, however, wheel the chair and bounce the ball simultaneously just as an ablebodied player runs and bounces the ball simultaneously in regular basketball.

If a player in possession of the ball makes any physical contact with the floor or tilts the chair so far backward that the anti tip (safety) casters touch the floor, it is a violation and the ball is awarded to the other team.

A player is considered out of bounds when any part of the players body or wheelchair touches the floor on or outside the boundary.

Because of the varying causes and manifestations (degrees) of disability among participants, a basic rule of keeping firmly seated in the wheelchair at all times and not using a functional leg or leg stump for physical advantage over an opponent is strictly enforced. An infraction of this rule (rebound, jump ball, etc.) constitutes a physical advantage foul. It is so recorded in the official scorebook. Three such fouls disqualify a player from the game. Two free throws are awarded and the ball is given to the opposing team, out of bounds.

If a player falls out of the chair during play, the officials will immediately suspend play if there is any chance of danger to the fallen player. If not, the officials will withhold their whistles until the particular play in progress has been completed. If a player falls out of the chair to gain possession of the ball or by falling keeps opponents from gaining possession of the ball, the ball is awarded to the opposing team.

Class I Complete motor loss at T 7 or above or comparable disability where there is total loss of muscle function originating at or above T 7. Class II Complete motor loss originating at T 8 and descending through and including L 2 where there may be motor power of hips and thighs. Also included in this class are amputees with bilateral hip disarticulation. Class III All other physical disabilities as related to lower extremity paralysis or paresis originating at or below L 3. All lower extremity amputees are included in this class except those with bilateral hip disarticulation (see Class II).