Wheelchair basketball was launched by war veterans in the United States in the 1940s. The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is the international umbrella organization. Since 1993 it has been an independent sports organization with over 50 member states.
Wheelchair basketball was launched by war veterans in the United States in the 1940s. The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is the international umbrella organization. Since 1993 it has been an independent sports organization with over 50 member states.
Wheelchair basketball has been a Paralympic sport since the 1960 Rome Games. The game is played on an ordinary basketball court with a normal basket height of 3.05 meters. As in pedestrian basketball, players have to dribble when they have control over the ball. If the player pulls the wheelchair's grip ring more than twice without dribbling, this is considered a "push error" (equivalent to a step error).
What makes wheelchair basketball the "most inclusive sport in the world" not only for national player Katharina Langaus Kirchseeon are two essential characteristics: At club level, men and women can form a team. A distinction is made only on the basis of an eight-level classification system in order to ensure a balance between people with different levels of disability. The assessment is based on the ability of the athletes to perform various movements in their wheelchairs. The lowest score and thus the highest level of disability attested is 1.0 (immobile legs, little to no trunk control) and is continued in steps of 0.5 to 4.5 (only minor restrictions on the legs, normal trunk control). If you add up the points of all five field players, a team may add up to 14 points on the field.
If you would like to take a closer look at wheelchair basketball, you can find the nearest contact point with its own youth department at RBB Iguanas Munich. All information about the Bundesliga club can be found at www.rbb-muenchen.de. SB DJK Rosenheim offers several handicap sports. At www.rollstuhlsport-ro.de you will also find the relevant contact details for the regional league wheelchair basketball players. bj