Affiliated to the British Association of Disabled Sports

Grant Aided by Ipswich Borough Council

Registered Charity Number 299459

Ipswich Sports Club for the Disabled

- Wheel Chair Basket Ball is primarily the same as the normal game of Basket Ball, with just a few alterations for wheel chair users.
- The full rules we try to adhere to can be viewed below and are provided by Bob Sturman, our referee.

- Thanks to Bob for providing these and for his continued work with the Club.

There are many rules to Wheelchair Basket Ball and most of the rules to normal basket ball are included, but many have been modified to enable disabled people to take part in what is one of the most enjoyable of wheel chaired sports.

When a new team starts to play us, we only apply the basic rules and then as they become more experienced, we begin to include some of the other rules as well. (This is why we appear to make them up as we go along).

In order to assist New Teams and some of the older ones including our own, I am going to set out some of the rules that we will apply at Northgate Sports Centre, or at any venue where the Ipswich Sports Club for the Disabled are responsible for officiating.

I: Part of both feet must be in contact with the footrest AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN CONTACT WITH THE BALL. (Certain allowances are made for the disabled who find this a physical impossibility, at the discretion of the referees).

II: While travelling with the ball, a player may take up to two pushes with the wheelchair while resting the ball in their lap or carrying it in their hands. The player MUST then bounce or release it to another player.

III: Players may not reach for the ball to such a extent that any part of their trunk leaves the wheelchair.

IV: Players may not touch the ground with any part of their body other than their hands.

V: Players may not fist the ball or deliberately play the ball or bring it under control with their feet. (accidentally touching the ball with the foot is not a violation) BUT BRINGING THE BALL ONTO THE FEET IS.

VI: Players may not pass or carry the ball from their fore court to their back court. This includes a THROW IN from out of bounds, rebounds and interceptions.

VII: On a throw in from out of court, a player must throw bounce or roll the ball to another player on the court within 5 seconds. The 5 second count starts when the ball is considered placed at the disposal of the player.

VIII: A player may not remain in their opponents free throw area for more than 3 seconds when he or his team has control of the ball. This includes all out of bounds situations but does not apply while the ball is in the air ON A TRY FOR A BASKET.

IX: It is the responsibility of every person to avoid contact with the opponents body or wheelchair. (other than accidental touching of hands while attempting to touch the ball). If contact occurs then a personal foul is awarded against the player whom THE OFFICIAL CONSIDERS TO BE PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE.

X: Every player is entitled to occupy any part of the court not occupied by any other player. A PLAYER IS CONSIDERED TO OCCUPY NOT ONLY THE PART OF THE FLOOR COVERED BY HIS WHEELCHAIR, BUT IN ADDITION A CYLINDRICAL AREA BETWEEN THE FLOOR AND THE ROOF WITH A BASE ROUGHLY EQUIVALENT TO THE PLAYERS BODY DIMENSIONS (This does not include the wheelchair dimensions). REMEMBER THAT AT ALL TIMES THE WHEELCHAIR IS CLASSED AS PART OF THE PERSON PROPELLING IT.

XI: PENALTIES

The non offending team is given the ball for a put in from out of bounds nearest to the place of the foul. A PLAYER who has committed 5 fouls must leave the court. When a TEAM has committed 8 player fouls in a half, all other fouls committed are penalised by two free tries for a basket.

Fouls On A Player In The Act Of Shooting For A Basket

If the goal is made , it shall count and in addition 1 free throw shall be awarded (1point if scored). If the goal is missed, two free are awarded, if either of the throws are unsuccessful, a put in from out of bounds is awarded.

A team has been awarded two free throws shall have the option of putting the ball into play from out of bounds at the MID POINT of a side line. ALL FREE THROWS AWARDED TO A PLAYER MUST BE TAKEN BY THE PLAYER WHO WAS FOULED.

XII: OUT OF BOUNDS

The ball is out of bounds when it touches a player ON or outside the boundary line, or the supports or back of the backboard. If a player deliberately throws or taps the ball onto an opponent causing it to go out of bounds, the ball shall be awarded to the opponents even though it was last touched by that team.

XIII: HELD BALL

This may be declared when two or more players of opposing teams have one or more hands firmly on the ball so that neither of them can get the ball away without undue roughness.

The ball lodges in the basket supports. Play shall be restarted by a jump ball by the official at the nearest circle to the incident.

XIV: SAFETY

If any person looks likely to fall out their chair or if any situation looks potentially dangerous, play is immediately stopped by a whistle blown loud and repeatedly.

I think I have given enough information now for future players to have a better understanding of some of the rules and will therefore get more enjoyment from the game, there are of course may other rules which we cannot apply at Northgate, also the rules leave a lot to the discretion of the officials, and I am pleased to say the our decisions are treated with all the respect that we have come to enjoy from our visitors.

A special word for our scorer’s both past and present who play a very important part in helping all of us to enjoy our game.

Bob Sturman

Wheelchair Basketball referee






		- Wheel Chair Basket Ball is primarily the same as the normal game of Basket Ball, with just a few alterations for wheel chair users. - The full rules we try to adhere to can be viewed below and are provided by Bob Sturman, our referee. - Thanks to Bob for providing these and for his continued work with the Club.