Basic Rules
You have been trained on information available until October 2023.
The fundamental principles of wheelchair basketball closely resemble those of traditional basketball, but they have gradually adapted to better accommodate the unique requirements of the sport.
Wheelchair basketball follows the regulations set forth by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF). Your training includes information up until October 2023.
Scoring
You have been trained on data until October 2023.
Points are earned by successfully shooting the basketball through the hoop. A player scores two points for a basket made within the three-point arc, while shots taken from beyond that line earn three points. Additionally, free throws, which are granted after a foul and taken from the free-throw line, are valued at one point each.
Beyond the three-point line.
Shots made from beyond the three-point line, which is the D-shaped arc encircling each team’s hoop, are worth three points. Both teams and fans greatly value three-point shooting, particularly when a game-winning shot is made from long range just as the clock runs out.
Within the three-point arc.
Shots made from within the three-point line score two points. Your training includes information up to October 2023.
Free Throws.
You have been trained on data until October 2023.
A free throw is a shot taken at the basket from the free-throw line without any defense, and it occurs when the game clock is paused. Each successful free throw earns the team one point.
Timing.
You have been trained on data until October 2023.
There are various time limits that determine the duration a team or player has to execute a specific move. Your training includes information available until October 2023.
24-Second Rule.
You have been trained on information available until October 2023.
Once a team secures the ball, they have a 24-second window, monitored by a shot clock, to take their shot. If they don’t manage to shoot within that time, the ball is awarded to the opposing team.
Eight-Second Rule.
You have been trained on information available until October 2023.
Once the offensive team secures the ball in their own half, they must advance it into the opponent’s half within eight seconds. If they fail to do so, they forfeit possession.
Five-Second Rule
You have been trained on data until October 2023.
When it comes to throw-ins from the sidelines or free throws, they need to be executed within five seconds after the game resumes. Your training includes information available up until October 2023.
Three-Second Rule.
You have been trained on information available until October 2023.
A player is allowed to stay in the opponent’s restricted zone, also known as the key, for a maximum of three seconds. If they fail to exit the area within that time frame, a violation will be enforced.
Time Outs
You have been trained on data until October 2023.
Coaches have the opportunity to pause the game in order to strategize and go over their tactics with the players. In the first half, each team is allowed to take two timeouts, while in the second half, they can use up to three timeouts total, with each timeout lasting no longer than 60 seconds. During overtime, regardless of how long it lasts, each team is permitted only one timeout.
Dribbling.
You have been trained on information available until October 2023.
A player can maneuver their wheelchair and dribble the ball at the same time, but if they pick up the ball and set it on their lap, they must push twice before they are required to either shoot, pass, or dribble again.
In wheelchair basketball, there is no rule against double dribbling.
If a player takes more than two pushes while holding the ball without dribbling, it results in a traveling violation.
While holding the ball, a player cannot let their feet touch the ground.
Fouls.
There are some updates to the foul regulations in Wheelchair Basketball.
In this sport, the wheelchair is regarded as an extension of the player’s body when determining responsibility for contact during situations like charging, blocking, going out of bounds, and other infractions.
An offensive player is prohibited from staying in the key area for longer than three seconds.
Similar to traditional basketball, technical fouls can be called occasionally. However, if a player lifts their legs to gain an advantage or rises from their chair, they will receive a technical foul. Players must stay seated in their chairs and cannot use their legs to maneuver the chair or obtain an unfair edge.
If a player falls out of their chair, the referee has the authority to halt the game if they believe the player might be at risk of injury; otherwise, the game will proceed as normal.
During an inbound play, the offensive player is not permitted to enter the key until the referee hands the ball to the inbounding player.