Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced and dynamic team sport that follows the same rules as traditional basketball but is specifically designed for athletes with physical disabilities affecting their lower limbs. The sport provides individuals with mobility impairments the opportunity to participate in a competitive and inclusive basketball environment.

Key Components

Key components of wheelchair basketball include:

• Adapted Wheelchairs: Players use specially designed wheelchairs that have two large wheels and a smaller wheel at the front for enhanced stability. The chairs are maneuverable and allow players to perform quick turns and agile movements on the basketball court.
• Classification System: Players are classified based on their functional abilities, and teams must maintain a total classification point limit on the court at all times. The classification system ensures that the competition remains fair and inclusive, as players with different levels of physical function can compete together.
• Court and Rules: The basketball court, hoop, and scoring rules are the same as in traditional basketball. The game is typically played in four quarters, each lasting a specified duration. Wheelchair basketball incorporates some additional rules related to traveling and pushing, adapted to the wheelchair movement.
• Dribbling and Shooting: Players maneuver their wheelchairs while dribbling the ball, passing to teammates, and shooting at the basket. The skill level required is similar to that of able-bodied basketball, with players showcasing agility, speed, and precision in their movements.
• Team Composition: Wheelchair basketball teams consist of five players on the court at any given time. Substitutions are allowed during stoppages in play. The sport is played at both recreational and competitive levels, with international competitions such as the Paralympic Games showcasing the highest level of wheelchair basketball talent.
• Inclusivity: Wheelchair basketball is known for promoting inclusivity and breaking down barriers for individuals with physical disabilities. It provides opportunities for athletes to participate in a team sport, fostering teamwork, communication, and skill development.

Global Wheelchair Basketball Tournaments

• Paralympic Games: The Paralympic Games are the pinnacle of wheelchair basketball competition, featuring the best teams and players from around the world. The wheelchair basketball event at the Paralympics is held every four years, alongside the Olympic Games.

• IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships: Organized by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF), the World Championships are held every four years and bring together top teams to compete for the title of world champion. The tournament showcases the highest level of wheelchair basketball talent.

• IWBF European Championship: The European Championship is a major continental tournament for wheelchair basketball in Europe. National teams from across Europe compete for the championship and qualification spots for the World Championships and Paralympic Games.

• IWBF Americas Championship: This tournament gathers teams from North and South America to compete for regional supremacy. It serves as a qualifying event for the Paralympic Games and the World Championships.

• IWBF Asia Oceania Championship: Teams from Asia and Oceania participate in this regional championship, competing for the title and the opportunity to qualify for the Paralympic Games and the World Championships.

• National Wheelchair Basketball Leagues: Many countries have established national wheelchair basketball leagues that provide a platform for domestic competition. Examples include the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) in the United States and the British Wheelchair Basketball National League in the United Kingdom.

Wheelchair basketball has gained popularity around the world, and many countries have established national wheelchair basketball associations to organize leagues and competitions. The sport has become a significant part of the Paralympic Games, showcasing the athletic abilities and competitive spirit of wheelchair basketball players on a global stage.