Helena Frye
Wheelchair basketball is a dynamic, fast-paced, and competitive team sport played by two teams of five players each, with seven substitutes and up to 12 players total. The objective is to score more points than the opposing team by shooting the ball into their basket. The rules of wheelchair basketball are very similar to traditional basketball, with some adaptations for wheelchair use. One of the biggest differences in rules between the two sports is dribbling. In wheelchair basketball, players can push their wheelchairs one or two times while the ball is in their hands or lap, after which they must dribble the ball. This rule is enforced through a travelling violation if players push their wheelchairs more than twice without dribbling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players on court | 5 |
| Number of players on a team | 5 players and 7 substitutes |
| Total players allowed per team | 12 |
| Game duration | 4 periods of 10 minutes each |
| Overtime duration | 5 minutes |
| Maximum pushes allowed without dribbling | 2 |
| Dribbling angle | 45 degrees from wheel and caster |
| Dribbling height | Elbow height |
| Dribbling technique | Fingertips, not palm |
| Dribbling area | Not too far in front or behind |
| Dribbling practice | With both dominant and non-dominant hands |
| Chair height | Lower than standard |
| Footrest | Angled |
| Number of wheels | 5 |
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What You'll Learn
Dribble at a 45-degree angle from the wheel and caster
Dribbling at a 45-degree angle from the wheel and caster is a fundamental skill in wheelchair basketball. This skill is best practised in a sports chair, as it is designed with the speed, manoeuvrability, stability, and durability required for wheelchair basketball. When dribbling, it is important to use your fingertips, as this gives you more control over the ball. You should also keep the ball close to your wheelchair, not dribbling too far in front or behind you.
Always keep your eyes up when dribbling, and practice with both your dominant and non-dominant hands. While dribbling at elbow height is the most efficient, you can also practice small, tight dribbles and high, controlled dribbles for more variety. Practising dribbling in a stationary position is a great way to build muscle memory and improve your dribbling skills.
Behind-the-back dribbles are an advanced skill that can be practised in motion or while stationary. To perform this move, toss the ball in front of you, then twist your hand with the ball behind your back, flicking your wrist so the ball travels towards your opposite shoulder. Quickly recover your hands to your wheels, turning and getting ready to catch the ball.
Remember, in a game, you must dribble after every two pushes of your wheelchair to avoid a "travelling" violation, where the ball is given to the other team. Wheelchair basketball is a dynamic and inclusive sport, and dribbling is an essential skill to master.
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Use fingertips, not palms, for more control
When practising dribbling in a stationary position, you can use your everyday chair, sports chair, or standard chair. If you are in a sports chair, aim to dribble at a 45-degree angle from your wheel and caster.
Always dribble using your fingertips for more control, as opposed to your palm. This gives you more control over the ball. You do not want to dribble too far in front or behind you. Keep your eyes up at all times while dribbling, and practice with both your dominant and non-dominant hands.
While dribbling at elbow height is most efficient, you can also practice small, tight dribbles and high, controlled dribbles for more variety in your game. Proper chair skills will help you develop the mechanics to compete at the highest level. Quarter turns can be performed in an everyday or sports chair. Use a pillow, box, or another chair as your stand-in defender.
To practice behind-the-back dribbles, you can practice in motion while dribbling, or while stationary and spinning to your opposite shoulder in your sports chair. When you collect the ball after tossing it in front of you for a dribble, twist your hand with the ball behind your back, and flick your wrist so the ball travels towards your opposite shoulder. Recover your hands to your wheels quickly to turn and get ready to catch your behind-the-back dribble.
Remember, in wheelchair basketball, you can push your manual wheelchair one or two times while the ball remains in your hands or lap. You must then dribble the ball and continue the sequence. If you push your wheelchair more than two times without dribbling, this is a travel violation.
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Keep dribbling close to your body
Keeping the ball close to your body is a key principle of dribbling in basketball. In wheelchair basketball, dribbling is even more important, as it is one of the key ways to navigate the court.
When dribbling, you want to keep the ball close to your body as you circle it around your head, back, and legs. This is a good drill to practice, as it will help you keep the ball under control. You can perform this drill in a seated or standing position, so it is a good way to start practicing dribbling before you move on to doing so in your wheelchair.
When you are in your wheelchair, you should aim to dribble at a 45-degree angle from your wheel and caster. This will help you to keep the ball close and under control. You should also practice with both your dominant and non-dominant hands, so you can dribble confidently with either hand.
When you are dribbling, you should always use your fingertips, rather than your palm, as this will give you more control. You should also keep the ball at elbow height, but you can also practice small, tight dribbles and high, controlled dribbles, to improve your overall dribbling skills.
It is important to keep the ball close to your body when dribbling in wheelchair basketball, as it will help you to navigate the court effectively and efficiently. By keeping the ball close, you can also protect it from defenders and avoid committing a travelling violation, which occurs when you push your wheelchair more than twice without dribbling.
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Look up, not down, while dribbling
Looking up while dribbling in wheelchair basketball is a crucial skill to develop, as it allows you to be aware of your surroundings, make better decisions, and execute effective plays. Here are some tips to help you master this skill:
Understanding the Basics of Wheelchair Dribbling
Before focusing on looking up, it's essential to grasp the fundamentals of dribbling in wheelchair basketball. In this sport, you are allowed to wheel your chair and bounce the ball simultaneously. You can push your wheelchair while dribbling, but remember that you can only push twice before you need to shoot, pass, or dribble again. This rule is in place to prevent travelling violations, which occur when a player takes more than two pushes without dribbling. Understanding these basics will provide a foundation for developing your dribbling skills while looking up.
Practising Peripheral Vision
To dribble effectively while looking up, utilise your peripheral vision. Train yourself to keep your eyes up and focused on the court, rather than staring down at the ball or your wheelchair. Your peripheral vision will help you maintain awareness of the ball's position and your dribbling rhythm without needing to look directly at it. Practise dribbling while focusing on a fixed point in front of you, gradually increasing the distance and speed to improve your peripheral vision.
Scanning the Court
As you dribble with your head up, learn to scan the court for your teammates and opponents. Develop a sense of the court's geometry and the positions of other players. This awareness will enable you to make better decisions about when to pass, shoot, or drive with your dribble. Practise dribbling while visually identifying passing lanes, open areas, and potential defensive threats. Over time, you'll improve your court vision and be able to anticipate plays more effectively.
Developing Hand-Eye Coordination
Improve your hand-eye coordination to enhance your dribbling skills while looking up. Practise dribbling with your weak hand as well as your dominant hand. This will help you develop a more balanced and versatile dribbling technique. Try dribbling through cones or performing dribbling drills to improve your ball control. The better your hand-eye coordination, the easier it will be to dribble confidently without needing to look down.
Visualising the Next Move
As you dribble with your head up, anticipate your next move. Visualise the options available to you, such as passing to a teammate, driving to the basket, or pulling up for a shot. This mental preparation will help you execute your plays more smoothly and efficiently. Think about the possible defensive reactions to your moves and how you can counter them. Developing this predictive skill will make you a more dynamic and unpredictable player.
By following these tips and through dedicated practice, you'll be able to master the art of looking up while dribbling in wheelchair basketball. Remember to focus on your peripheral vision, court awareness, hand-eye coordination, and anticipation of the next move. With time and persistence, you'll become a more effective and well-rounded player.
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Practice with both dominant and non-dominant hands
To improve your dribbling skills in wheelchair basketball, it's important to practice with both your dominant and non-dominant hands. This will help you develop ambidexterity and increase your versatility on the court. Here are some tips to improve your dribbling with both hands:
Practicing with your dominant hand
Start by practicing dribbling in a stationary position. You can use your everyday chair, a sports chair, or a standard chair for this drill. Focus on dribbling with your fingertips rather than your palm, as this will give you more control over the ball. Keep the dribble height around elbow level, but also practice small, tight dribbles and high, controlled dribbles to improve your overall technique.
Practicing with your non-dominant hand
Once you feel comfortable dribbling with your dominant hand, switch to your non-dominant hand and repeat the same drills. It may feel awkward at first, but with practice, you'll develop better control and coordination with your non-dominant hand. Remember to keep your eyes up at all times, maintaining visual awareness of your surroundings while dribbling.
Combining dribbling with chair movement
After mastering the stationary dribble, it's time to combine dribbling with chair movement. In a sports chair, aim to dribble at a 45-degree angle from your wheel and caster. Practice pushing your chair with both hands while maintaining control of the ball. Remember, you can push your chair one or two times while the ball is in your hands or lap, but then you must dribble again to avoid a travelling violation.
Advanced dribbling techniques
As you become more proficient, you can practice more advanced dribbling techniques such as behind-the-back dribbles. To practice this move, you can spin to your opposite shoulder in your sports chair while dribbling. Twist your hand with the ball behind your back and flick your wrist so the ball travels towards your opposite shoulder. Quickly recover your hands to your wheels to turn and catch the ball.
Remember, proper chair skills and dribbling fundamentals are essential in wheelchair basketball. By practicing with both your dominant and non-dominant hands, you'll improve your overall ball handling and become a more well-rounded player.
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Frequently asked questions
You can push your wheelchair one or two times while the ball is in your hands or lap. Then, you must bounce the ball (dribble). You can practice dribbling in a stationary position using a sports chair, standard chair, or everyday chair.
Always dribble using your fingertips for more control, and keep the ball close to you. Keep your eyes up at all times while dribbling, and practice with both your dominant and non-dominant hands. Practice small, tight dribbles, high controlled dribbles, and dribbles at elbow height.
A travelling violation occurs when a player pushes their wheelchair more than twice in a row without dribbling the ball.
