What is wheelchair basketball?

Have mobility challenges kept you from playing the game of basketball? You don’t have to be a wheelchair user to enjoy playing wheelchair basketball.  If the function of your legs or challenges with balance keep you off the court, hop in a chair and try playing wheelchair basketball. The wheels become your “legs”.  No worries about running speed, pivots or cutting.

The “Grand Daddy” of wheelchair sports

Wheelchair Basketball, is the “Grand Daddy” of all para sports. It is fun, fast paced game and a great workout.  It requires skills in moving your chair for quick changes in direction and speed down the court. We will teach you the tricks to be efficient at “turning on a dime” and gain position on your opponents. We will teach you the basic skills of dribbling, passing and shooting.

Learn the game and strategy

Like any team sport you have to work together to have success. Our coaches will teach you the fundamentals of pick and rolls, screens and playing defense. Each week we will practice drills to learn and perfect your dribbling, passing, and shooting the ball.  The STAR Center provides sport wheelchairs for this program.

Who can participate in wheelchair basketball?

• All ages, youth and adult
• Those who has a physical disability balance or mobility challenge that makes standing activities difficult
•  Co-ed.
• Individuals may ambulate independently or use assistive devices or wheelchairs.

When is this program offered?

• This program is offered seasonally

The basics of wheelchair basketball

The rules for wheelchair basketball are very similar to standup basketball, with the same point structure. The court is the same size, and the hoop is 10 feet high. During play, the ball is allowed to rest in the lap or be carried for two pushes; then, the ball must be dribbled or the player will be called for a traveling violation.

Classifications

Para sports use classification to identify what limitations of function an athlete has, and how it effects their ability to play the game. This assure athletes are playing against opponents with similar abilities.

In wheelchair basketball players are classified on a point system from 1 to 4.5.  The lower the number the greater the physical challenge. A team consists of 5 players, the classification numbers must be 14 or less on the court at any one time. Learn more!

Did you know?

Wheelchair basketball was developed after World War II, when US veterans who were injured in the war wanted to continue to play a sport that they loved. The sport spread throughout the world. Wheelchair basketball was introduced for men at the Paralympics in 1960; women started playing at the Paralympics in 1968. Team USA has won the gold medal nine times and are the defending champions.