Ayrton Oneill
Wheelchair basketball is a variation of basketball played by individuals using a sports wheelchair. It was first played at the 1956 International Stoke-Mandeville Games and was used as a way for disabled veterans of World War II to rehabilitate and socialise. The sport is governed by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF), which has 95 National Organisations for Wheelchair Basketball (NOWBs) worldwide, with this number increasing annually. The rules are similar to regular basketball, with some variations, such as players not being allowed to move their chairs once seated and being unable to hand off the ball to teammates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First played | 1956 International Stoke-Mandeville Games |
| Governing body | International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) |
| Recognition | International Paralympic Committee (IPC) |
| Number of National Organisations | 95 |
| Number of players | 7 per team |
| Time to space out between baskets | 30 seconds |
| Movement rules | Players must not move their chair once seated |
| Ball advancement | By passing to teammates, not by handing off |
| Interaction with other players | No touching, but defense is allowed |
| Distance from the goal | No player is allowed within 4 feet of either goal |
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What You'll Learn
History of wheelchair basketball
Wheelchair basketball emerged in the aftermath of World War II, as a result of the unusually high number of people with physical disabilities caused by the conflict. Many veterans with disabilities were placed in hospitals for rehabilitation and still possessed a desire to participate in sports. Basketball was perceived to be one of the most adaptable team sports, and it was played in various parts of the world in the early 1940s.
The first documented game of wheelchair basketball was played on November 25, 1946, by a group of veterans in the United States. An article published in the Birmingham Report and the Birmingham Star Gazette on November 26, 1946, titled "Plegics Win Wheelchair Game, 16 to 6", described how patients from the Birmingham VA Medical Center in Van Nuys, California, beat a team of doctors in the first game of wheelchair basketball. Within two years, six teams emerged representing VA hospitals across the US, and national tournaments were organized and hosted by the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).
In 1948, the first Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Games were held, featuring organized wheelchair sports, including wheelchair netball, a cousin of wheelchair basketball. The annual event would become known as the International Stoke Mandeville Games, a predecessor to the modern-day Paralympic Games. The first Paralympic Games took place in Rome, Italy, in 1960, and wheelchair basketball was one of eight sports that debuted. The first national wheelchair basketball tournament in the US took place in 1949, featuring six teams, and this marked the formation of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA).
Since its origins in the US in 1946, the NWBA has grown to over 200 teams, and the pioneering association has given birth to hundreds of teams from North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Today, wheelchair basketball is a global sport with an estimated 100,000 players participating at various levels, from recreational and club play to elite national teams. The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is the global governing body for the sport and has 95 National Organizations for Wheelchair Basketball (NOWBs) participating worldwide, with this number increasing each year.
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Rules of the game
Wheelchair basketball is a dynamic, fast-paced sport played by two teams of five players each, with seven substitutes each and a total of up to 12 players per team. The objective is to score more points than the opposing team by the end of the game, which consists of four 10-minute periods. If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, an overtime period of five minutes is played, followed by additional overtime periods until a winner is determined. The rules are very similar to stand-up basketball, with some adaptations for wheelchair use.
- The game is played on a standard basketball court with the same basket height, foul line, and three-point line as in stand-up basketball.
- Each team has 24 seconds to attempt to score a basket. If the time limit is exceeded, the ball is forfeited to the opposing team.
- A player may wheel their chair and bounce the ball simultaneously.
- If the ball is picked up and placed on the player's lap, they can only push their wheelchair twice before they must shoot, pass, or dribble the ball again.
- There is no double dribble rule in wheelchair basketball.
- A player is not allowed to touch the playing surface with their feet while in possession of the basketball.
- A player's chair is considered a part of their body, and this is taken into account with the rules of contact on the court, such as charging fouls, blocking, and going out of bounds.
- An offensive player cannot stay in the key area for more than three seconds.
- Technical fouls can be called when a player lifts their body out of the chair to gain an advantage. Players must remain firmly seated in their wheelchairs.
- If a player falls out of their wheelchair, the referee may stop play if they deem there to be a risk of injury; otherwise, play will continue.
- On inbound plays, offensive players are not allowed to enter the key until the ball is handed to the inbounding player by the referee.
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Governing bodies
The British Basketball Federation (BBF) is the National Governing Body (NGB) responsible for basketball in Britain. It runs GB basketball in a federated model, under a board of management comprising an Independent Chair, Independent Directors, and representatives of the three member Home Country Associations (HCAs): Basketball England, basketballscotland, and Basketball Wales. The BBF's goal is to create a world-class elite basketball program in Great Britain and to lead the overarching strategy for the growth of basketball in England, Scotland, and Wales.
In November 2022, Chris Grant OBE was appointed as the new Chair of the BBF. Grant brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role, having worked at the highest levels of sports administration and led many successful multi-stakeholder initiatives in sport and other fields. He has previously served on the boards of the Youth Sport Trust and Sport England, and currently chairs English football's Integrated Coaching Board.
The Fédération Internationale de Basket-ball (FIBA) is the global governing body for basketball, overseeing the sport's development, competitions, and regulations worldwide. It was founded in 1932 in Geneva, Switzerland, with the aim of providing governance and direction to the growing sport of basketball at an international level. FIBA operates with a hierarchical structure, consisting of national member federations from across the globe, each representing their respective countries' basketball associations. At the top of the organizational hierarchy is the FIBA Central Board, composed of elected representatives responsible for strategic decision-making and policy implementation, and headed by the FIBA President.
FIBA is divided into five continental zones: FIBA Africa, FIBA Americas, FIBA Asia, FIBA Europe, and FIBA Oceania. Each zone governs basketball activities within its region and coordinates with national federations to promote the sport locally. FIBA actively supports the establishment of national leagues, youth programs, and talent identification systems in partnership with its member federations, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity, gender equality, and social responsibility.
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Major competitions
Wheelchair basketball is included in the Paralympic Games. The Wheelchair Basketball World Championship is played biennially, two years after every Paralympic Games. The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is the global governing body for the sport, dedicated to its promotion, development, and oversight. The first unofficial Wheelchair Basketball World Championships for men took place in 1973 in Bruges, Belgium, with the host country emerging as the winner. The first official World Championships, known as the Gold Cup tournament, was held in 1975, also in Bruges, Belgium. The United States has won the men's world championships seven times, while Australia and Great Britain have won twice each. France, Israel, and Canada have each won once.
In 1944, Ludwig Guttmann adapted existing sports to use wheelchairs as part of a rehabilitation program at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England. Initially known as wheelchair netball, it eventually became wheelchair basketball. Starting in 1946, wheelchair basketball games were played primarily between American World War II disabled veterans, helping them become more physically active and improve their coordination and communication skills.
In 1956, the sport was played for the first time at the International Stoke-Mandeville Games, with the US "Pan Am Jets" team winning the tournament. In 1973, the International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation (ISMGF), then the world governing body for all wheelchair sports, established the first sub-section for wheelchair basketball. In 1989, the ISMGF accepted that its former wheelchair basketball sub-section would be named the IWBF, and in 1993, the IWBF became fully independent, taking over as the world body for wheelchair basketball.
Wheelchair basketball competitions at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be held at the Bercy Arena from 29 August to 8 September. Eight men's and eight women's national teams will compete for Paralympic medals. The men's competition Group A includes France, Great Britain, Germany, and Canada, while Group B features the USA, Spain, the Netherlands, and Australia. In the women's competition, Group A includes Great Britain, China, Canada, and Spain. The pool stages for both tournaments will be held until 2 September, followed by knockout matches starting on 3 September. The men's finals will be held on 7 September, with the women's finals taking place on 8 September.
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Equipment
The equipment used in wheelchair basketball differs from that of the traditional game. Here is a list of the essential equipment for the sport:
Sports Wheelchairs
Players use specially designed sports wheelchairs to manoeuvre around the court. These chairs are typically lightweight and agile, with a slim profile to facilitate quick movements and sharp turns. The wheels are angled outwards to provide stability and traction during gameplay.
Basketballs
The basketballs used are standard size and weight, adhering to the regulations of traditional basketball.
Court and Baskets
Wheelchair basketball is played on a standard basketball court, with the same dimensions and markings. The baskets and hoops are also the same as in traditional basketball.
Protective Gear
As with any contact sport, protective gear is important in wheelchair basketball. Players typically wear mouth guards, helmets, and other protective padding to prevent injuries during gameplay.
Team Chairs
Team chairs, or sideline chairs, are used by players when they are not actively playing in the game. These chairs provide a place for players to rest and strategize with their teammates.
Trash Cans
In more informal settings, such as youth groups, trash cans are sometimes used as makeshift baskets if there is no access to a proper basketball hoop.
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Frequently asked questions
Wheelchair basketball is a variation of basketball played using a sports wheelchair.
Wheelchair basketball was first played in 1946 by American World War II disabled veterans as a form of rehabilitation and socialisation.
The first official wheelchair basketball game was played at the 1956 International Stoke-Mandeville Games, which was won by the US "Pan Am Jets" team.
The game starts with every player standing and holding onto their chair. The teams are given 30 seconds to space out between the two baskets. Once the time is over, the players must sit in their chairs and remain in that spot until a point is scored. Players must advance the ball toward their goal by passing to teammates and are not allowed within 4 feet of either goal.
Yes, wheelchair basketball is included in the Paralympic Games. The sport is governed by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF), which has 95 National Organisations for Wheelchair Basketball (NOWBs) worldwide.
