Youth Wheelchair Basketball

PROGRAM DETAILS

Youth wheelchair basketball is basketball adapted for those with physical disabilities.

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.

WHEN

October – March

Weekly Practices: Saturday 12:00 – 3:00 pm

Tournaments are currently being scheduled. Check back for additional information!

There is no participation fee for participants to practice. Fees do apply to varsity players participating in tournaments.

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

WHERE

Tiffin Elementary School- 104 N Park Rd, Tiffin, IA 52340

Join the Grizzlies Wheelchair Basketball Facebook page for details.

GRIZZLIES TEAM INFORMATION

ADAPTIVE SPORTS IOWA IS THE PROUD ORGANIZER OF GRIZZLIES WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL 

ELIGIBILITY
In order to be eligible to take part in practices and compete, all participants have an ambulatory disability (physical disability limiting lower limb movement)

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, “traveling” 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.

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 backward, an adjustable lap belt to better secure the user to the chair, and a footplate with a guard to increase physical safety.