3 Ways to Play Wheelchair Rugby

1. Join a Wheelchair Rugby Team

To play wheelchair rugby, join a team. Wheelchair rugby, also known as murderball, is a high intensity sport that can be played by athletes with a physical disability, but full cognitive abilities. To play on a team, you must try out. In preparation for this, learn all the rules for wheelchair rugby. Contact your local rehabilitation or spinal injury clinic for information on a wheelchair rugby team, as most hospitals have a full athletic program available for patients. The International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) provides opportunities for players from more than 25 countries to participate in wheelchair rugby. Think about transportation and time commitment required for the rugby team before joining. The larger the team for the greater the time commitment required.

2. Practice Wheelchair Rugby

To practice rugby in a wheelchair, contact five other wheelchair athletes and go to a local basketball court. Set up the goal posts and divide the players into two teams of three. The purpose of this practice is to develop the skills and practice the maneuvers necessary to be successful at wheelchair rugby. Set aside 20 minutes for drills. Practice tackling, passing and maneuvering your wheelchair around other wheelchairs. Spend five minutes on speed runs. Set up three players on one side of the court and three on the other. The first player takes the ball and moves as fast as they can to the other end. They pass the ball and the other player repeats the drill. This practice increases speed, agility and ball passing skills.

3. Prepare for Battle

Rugby is a high intensity sport with a great deal of physical contact. To play properly, you will need a sports wheelchair. This wheelchair needs to be light enough to maneuver, yet strong enough to take direct hits from other wheelchairs as players tackle each other for the ball. Reinforce the sides and back of the wheelchair for extra protection. Keep the materials used light enough, but sturdy and able to withstand impact. All chairs must be equipped with an anti-tip device to be allowed on the court. Many players add colors and other details to improve the appearance of their wheelchair. The spokes on the wheels must be covered and a variety of materials, colours and styles are used. Check your local rule book to ensure the changes are acceptable.