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.[1]
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.[2] 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.[3]
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 |
References
- ↑ "AAASP Parent-Athlete Handbook" (PDF). Retrieved 21 January 2010.
- ↑ "Wheelchair Football: World's Most Inclusive Sport". Retrieved 2012-09-11.
- ↑ "AAASP Parent-Athlete Handbook" (PDF). Retrieved 21 January 2010.
See also
External links
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Look up wheelchair football (american) in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |