Wheelchair basketball essentially follows the same rules and regulations as basketball. Most players in wheelchair basketball have physical disabilities that prohibit them from using their legs. Wheelchair athletes are as intense as able-bodied athletes, and wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced game.
Classification
All wheelchair basketball teams that compete above a purely recreational level are subject to a classification system to evaluate the body function of the athletes. Class I players must have total motor loss at T-7 or higher. Class II players must have complete motor loss starting at T-8 and moving down through and including L-2. Hips and thighs may be functional and amputees with bilateral hip disarticulation may be included. Class III includes all other disabilities that relate to lower-body paralysis, starting at or below L-3. All lower-body amputees besides bilateral hip disarticulation are included in this class. Each class is designated points and only a certain number of points are allowed on the court at once.
Traveling
Even though the rule differs from conventional basketball, traveling is still an infraction in wheelchair basketball. If a player in wheelchair basketball touches his wheels more than two times after receiving the ball and before he unloads it, it is considered traveling. He must pass, shoot or bounce the ball before touching his wheels again.
The Chair
The wheelchair is made especially to play basketball, and during a game, it is considered part of a player's body. This means all the rules of basketball that apply regarding physical fouls like charging apply with the chair as well.
Physical Advantage Foul
A foul is called in wheelchair basketball if a player unfairly uses parts of his body for an advantage. If you have movement in your hips or lower extremities, you must stay seated in your chair at all times. Using your leg, hips or amputated leg to push against your chair constitutes a physical-advantage foul and will be called by the referee.
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