Wheelchair Basketball Rules

Contact

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

Time Limits

An offensive player cannot remain more than 4 seconds in the free throw lane while the player's team is in possession of the ball.

Dribble

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 able-bodied player runs and bounces the ball simultaneously in regular basketball.

Loss of the Ball

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.

Out-of-Bounds

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

Physical Advantage Foul

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 wheelchair basketball rules (rebound, jump ball, etc.) constitutes a physical advantage foul.

It is so recorded in the official score book. Three such fouls disqualify a player from the game, according to wheelchair basketball rules. Two free throws are awarded and the ball is given to the opposing team, out of bounds.

Falling

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.