2 point player

Australia's Kylie Gauci is a 2 point player.

2 point player is a disability sport classification for wheelchair basketball.

History

The classification was created by the International Paralympic Committee and has roots in a 2003 attempt to address "the overall objective to support and co-ordinate the ongoing development of accurate, reliable, consistent and credible sport focused classification systems and their implementation."

In 2005 and 2006, there was an active effort by the National Wheelchair Basketball Association to try to move from a three player classification system to a four point classification system like the one used by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation.

Sport

This classification is for wheelchair basketball. Classification for the sport is done by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation. Classification is extremely important in wheelchair basketball because when players' point totals are added together, they cannot exceed fourteen points per team on the court at any time. Jane Buckley, writing for the Sporting Wheelies, describes the wheelchair basketball players in this classification as players having, "No lower limb but partial trunk control in a forward direction. Rely on hand grip to remain stable in a collision."

The Australian Paralympic Committee defines this classification as, "Players with some partially controlled trunk movement in the forward direction, but no controlled sideways movement. They have upper trunk rotation but poor lower trunk rotation." The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation defines a 2 point player as, "Some partially controlled trunk movement in the forward direction, but no controlled sideways movement, has upper trunk rotation but poor lower trunk rotation." The Cardiff Celts, a wheelchair basketball team in Wales, explain this classification as, "mild to moderate loss of stability in the lower trunk. This may result in little loss of stability during passing but usually Class 2 players will reach for rebounds with one hand whilst stabilizing by holding onto the chair with the other hand. Class players will be able to push the wheelchair without total support of the back of the wheelchair. Typical Class 2 Disabilities include : T8-L1 paraplegia, post-polio paralysis without control of lower extremity movement."

A player can be classified as a 2.5 point player if they display characteristics of a 2 point player and 3 point player, and it is not easy to determine exactly which of these two classes the player fits in. There is a significant difference in special endurance between 2 point players, and 3 and 4 point players, with 2 point players having less special endurance. 1 point and 2 point players handle the ball the least on court.

Expanding the game

In a push to increase participation the sport, people involved with the American National Wheelchair Basketball Association have argued allowing able-bodied athletes to compete would help 1 and 2 point players because there would be a need to balance participation on the team because of the rules regarding maximum points on the floor.

Getting classified

Wheelchair basketball players who are going to compete at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in this classification need to have their classification be in compliance with the system organized by the IWBF, and their status listed as "review" or "confirmed".".In Australia, wheelchair basketball players and other disability athletes are generally classified after they have been assessed based on medical, visual or cognitive testing, after a demonstration of their ability to play their sport, and after the classifiers have watched the player during competitive play.

Once a player is classified, it is very hard to be classified into a different classification. Players have been known to have issues with classification because some players play down their abilities during the classification process. At the same time, as players improve at the game, movements become regular and their skill level improves. This can make it appear like their classification was incorrect.

Competitors

Australian Grant Mizens is a 2 point player. Kylie Gauci is a 2 point player for Australia's women's national team. Bo Hedges and Richard Peter are a 2.5 point players for the Canadian men's national team.

See also

• Wheelchair basketball classification
• Wheelchair basketball at the Summer Paralympics

External links

• Paralympic Classification Education Video by the Australian Paralympic Committee