Basic Rules of Wheelchair Basketball

Quick Rule Guide

Wheelchair basketball is a dynamic sport played by two teams of five players each on the court, with teams allowed up to 12 players total. 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, extra periods are played to determine the winner.

Wheelchair Basketball is a featured event in the Paralympics and follows similar rules to standing basketball, with some key adaptations for wheelchair use.
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Court and Equipment

Wheelchair basketball is played on a standard basketball court with the same basket height, foul line, and three-point line as in standing basketball.

Scoring

• Free throw = 1 point
• Field goal inside the three-point line = 2 points
• Field goal beyond the three-point line = 3 points

Game Play

After gaining possession of the ball, the offensive team has 24 seconds to attempt a shot.

After a team scores, the ball is given to the opposition to restart play.

If the team fails to score or hit the rim of the basketball hoop within 24 seconds, possession of the ball goes to the opposing team.

Dribbling and Travel Rule

Players can push their wheelchair while dribbling the ball.

After every two pushes, the player must either pass, shoot, or dribble again to avoid a traveling violation. 

There is no double-dribble rule, meaning players can stop and restart dribbling without penalty.

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Fouls

Wheelchair basketball has its own set of rules and fouls, many of which are similar to those in traditional basketball, but with adaptations to account for the use of wheelchairs.

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Here are the key fouls in wheelchair basketball:

• The wheelchair is considered part of the player’s body, so all contact rules apply to the wheelchair.
• Technical Fouls include: Lifting legs to gain an advantage, Lifting out of the chair
• Players must remain seated and cannot use their legs or feet on the floor to steer the wheelchair.
• A player who commits five personal fouls must be replaced by another player.