WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL OPEN GYM

PROGRAM DETAILS

Wheelchair basketball is basketball adapted for those with physical disabilities. Participants use sports wheelchairs rather than their typical everyday chairs. Rules are mostly the same, with the addition of chair fouls. Our adult wheelchair basketball practices are drop-in. Participants may come and go as they wish, and registration is not required.

There is no participation fee for participants.

Adaptive Sports Iowa provides sport-wheelchairs to all participants. Participants can also bring their own.

WHEN?

2026 Season Schedule

Tuesdays, 6:00-8:00pm

October 20, 27

November 3, 10, 17, 24

WHERE?

Pioneer Columbus Community Recreation Center

2100 SE 5th Street

Des Moines, IA 50315

WHO?

A person must have a permanent lower extremity disability that precludes them from playing competitive stand up basketball. Wheelchair basketball is intended for a wide range of disabilities including, but not limited to, spinal cord injury, spina bifida, lower extremity amputation, cerebral palsy, and permanent joint disorders.

It is NOT required that the participant uses a wheelchair for everyday mobility. There are many ambulatory (walking) participants that participate in wheelchair basketball.

Practices are open to all skill levels.

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL INFORMATION AND RULES

Wheelchair basketball is a sport that has grown immensely in the United States and around the world. Many countries have leagues and national Paralympic teams.

Rules
Wheelchair basketball adapts the majority of its rules from the official NCAA basketball rule book. Modifications are made for dribbling. For example, “travelling” in wheelchair basketball occurs when the athlete touches their wheels more than twice after receiving or dribbling the ball. The majority of the aspects of the game of basketball are retained such as a 10-foot basketball hoop and standard basketball court size.

Classification
Because disability is complex and affects each individual differently, a classification system has been implemented in competition to level the playing field between teams. The classification system evaluates the functional abilities of players on a point scale of 1 to 4.5. Minimally disabled athletes are classified as a 4.5, and an individual with the highest degree of disability (such as a paraplegic with a complete injury below the chest) would have the classification of 1.0. Competitions restrict the number of points allowable on the court at one time. The five players from each team on the court during play may not exceed a total of 12 points.

Wheelchair design
Basketball wheelchairs, also known as sports chairs, are specifically designed wheelchairs for activity. Basketball chairs have wheels that are angled outward so that the center of gravity has to move a greater distance before it tips the chair making it much safer for play. The chairs are also designed with tip bars making it difficult to tip backwards, an adjustable lap belt to better secure the user to the chair, and footplate with a guard to increase physical safety.

Possible Therapeutic Outcomes:

• Increased upper body strength
• Improved core control and stability
• Increased social connections
• Improved cardiovascular endurance and overall health
• Maintain healthy weight
• Reduced stress and anxiety through increased endorphins
• Improved sleep quality
• Improved alertness, concentration, and overall cognitive function
• Increased sense of independence