What adapted court sports are available?

Author: Sharon Jang | Reviewer: Courtney Pollock | Published: 18 October 2023 | Updated: ~

Wheelchair tennis is played on the same court as able-bodied tennis, and with similar rules. One rule difference is that in wheelchair tennis, players are allowed two bounces instead of one, and the second bounce can be anywhere – even out of bounds. Although one can play wheelchair tennis in their day chair, tennis wheelchairs are often preferred during play. These wheelchairs are faster, lighter, more agile, and more stable. The wheels on the wheelchair are also angled (i.e., there is more camber ) to allow for more swift turning. For those with limited hand function, taping the racquet to your hand is common practice, though it can take some time to find the optimal tension for you. Therefore, people with all levels of ability can play wheelchair tennis.

Wheelchair basketball is played on a standard basketball court. The wheelchair used for basketball is one with wheels angled to 15-20 degrees and a single rollerblade used for a caster at the back. In addition, there are many strapping options to promote stability and safety, or to hold the body in a certain position. Commonly strapped body parts include the hips, knees, feet and/or ankles. It is common for wheelchair basketball leagues to include able bodied participants at the local level of competition. This allows for more players and teams for great league play.

Wheelchair rugby was developed specifically for people with tetraplegia and has grown to include people without SCI but with similar functional abilities (e.g., some impaired arm and hand function in addition to impaired leg function). Wheelchair rugby is played with a volleyball. The goal of the game is to carry the ball over the other team’s goal line. Unlike able-bodied rugby, wheelchair rugby is played indoors on a court. Specialized wheelchairs are used to play wheelchair rugby and can be separated into chairs for offensive players and chairs for defensive players. Offensive wheelchairs are set up for speed and mobility and are distinguished with a front bumper to prevent other chairs from hooking them. Often, offensive chairs are used by players with more function. On the other hand, defensive wheelchairs are set up with a bumper to hook and hold onto other players. Defensive chairs are often used by players with less function. Additional equipment used in rugby include straps and gloves. Straps are used on the waist (to compensate for a lack of core muscles), the thighs (to prevent them from falling to the side or from shifting side to side), and the feet (for comfort). Meanwhile, gloves work to protect the skin, add extra grip when pushing the chair, and to making throwing and catching the ball easier.