Wheelchair Rugby or Quad Rugby is the only sport designed for Quadraplegics (people with a disability affecting all four limbs). Like the abled-bodied sport we share a name with, Wheelchair Rugby is fast paced and hard hitting.
Quadraplegics are elgible to play, but because of their imparement in hands (some may have little or no finger movement), arms and shoulders, they compete at a significant disadvantage. Wheelchair Rugby was designed with the limitations of Quadraplegics in mind. First, the ball is changed from a heavy basketball to a lighter volleyball. Second, scoring is accomplished by crossing a goal line instead of making a basket. Wheelchair Rugby originated in Canada in the late 1970s. The sport was introduced to the United States by Denver's own
Brad Mikkelsen. Since then, Wheelchair Rugby has spread to 32 teams in the United States and may more worldwide. Wheelchair Rugby made its Paralympic debute in the 1996 Paralympic Games held in Atlanta.
Wheelchair Rugby is played indoors on basketball courts. Each team may have four players on the court. Players are classified by ability (see Elgibility below) and given a classification score from 0.5 - 3.5. Each team's players on the court are limited to 8 points. Players with lower scores play a defensive role, blocking and picking opponents. Players with higher scores are the ball handlers and score most goals.
Play is divided into four 8 minute quarters. Players have fifteen seconds from inbounding the ball to cross the half-court line. Like basketball, Wheelchair Rugby has an over and back penalty. The ball must be dribbled (bounced once) or passed every ten seconds. A single point is scored when the ball is carried over the end line while in posession by a player. The end zone area contains a defensive key area. The defensive team can have a maximum of three players in they key and offensive players can be in the key a maximum of ten seconds. One minute penalties can be awarded for fouls, dribble and other violations. The offending player sits out of play in the penalty box for one minute or until the other team scores.
Players use special (often custom) wheelchairs which have been beefed up and armored to survive the impacts these chairs recieve during games. Wheels are covered with plastic or metal guards to protect spokes. Front ram plates are designed to block and hold opponent players. Guards are designed to shield from picking opponents. All wheelchairs have two sets of casters in the front and rear to prevent players from being knocked over.
Denver Harlequins wheelchair rugby team practices at Craig Hospital on Wednesday evenings and at East Boulder Recreation Center on Saturdays.
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