Wheelchair Football (American)

Wheelchair Football (American)

Boy playing on an American Wheelchair Football Team.
Highest governing body	American Association of Adapted Sports Programs
First played	Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Characteristics
Contact	Contact
Team members	6 or more (6 at a time during game)
Mixed gender	Yes
Type	Indoor
Equipment	Football, manual wheelchair, and power wheelchair

Wheelchair Football is a fast-paced sport that is best played when athletes are in maximum physical condition, and at the top of their game in teamwork, strategy and wheelchair-handling skills for both manual wheelchair and power wheelchair users.

History

The sport of wheelchair football was developed for interscholastic competition by the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP) of Atlanta, Georgia, USA to incorporate both the manual and power wheelchair during game play. Wheelchair football is different from that of power football (soccer) because the sport has been patterned after the game of American football and the rules are similar as such.

Rules

The game of wheelchair football is played on a standard basketball court — 28 meters long by 15 meters wide. The required court markings are a center line and circle, and a key area measuring 8 meters wide by 1.75 meters deep at each end of the court. It can be played either indoors or outside, as long as it meets the standard requirements. All athletes must use either a manual or a power wheelchair when competing in the sport.

Specified rules for manual and power wheelchair users

Players Using Manual Wheelchairs	Players Using Powerchair Wheelchairs
Players in manual chairs have successfully tackled an opponent when they tag the opponent with two hands on the body and above the knees.	Players in power chairs will have made a successful tackle when they tag the opponent with one hand on the opponent’s body or chair.

Team rules

A team has six attempts to score once they receive the ball. Teams may pass or “run” the ball into the end zone. Field goals, kick–offs and punts are thrown. A running game clock (no time–outs for incomplete passes, etc.) is used, as well as a play clock. Scoring is the same as in stand–up football, with one exception. A team that passes for the point–after–touchdown (PAT) will receive two points. Field goals are scored when the ball is thrown through the first two vertical uprights that support the hanging basket.

Basic rundown of the sport

Team	Number of players	Offense	Play clock minutes	Half time
Varsity teams	Six players per side	4 downs to reach 1st marker or score	:35-minute play clock	Two 30-minute halves running clock
Junior varsity teams	Six players per side	4 downs to reach 1st marker or score	:45-minute play clock	Two 30-minute halves running clock

See also

• Powerchair Football
• Wheelchair soccer

External links

• American Association for Adaptive Sports Programs