How to Play Indoor Wheelchair Soccer
Indoor wheelchair soccer is a popular sport with people who use wheelchairs in the United States. The game combines elements of regular soccer and basketball. Players may use their hands to handle the ball and move the ball by dribbling it as in basketball. Otherwise the competitions are modeled on traditional soccer except that the teams consist of six players each and play 2 25-minute halves. For official league games the teams are limited to a roster of 14 players and divided into different classes depending on the extent of the players’ physical limitations. This article is based on the official rules of the Wheelchair Soccer Association as sanctioned by the National Disability Sports Alliance.
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Things You'll Need
- Indoor soccer goals (5 feet wide and 5-1/2 feet high)
- Tape for marking playing surface
- Ball
Instructions
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Prepare the field of play. The National Disability Sports Alliance recommends a gymnasium to play indoor wheelchair soccer. The playing area is the size of a high school or college basketball court (50 feet wide by 84-94 feet long). Tape is used to mark the floor to play indoor wheelchair soccer. Goals are set up at each end of the court.
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Take safety precautions before play begins. Wheelchairs may not have protrusions such as hooks for carrying packages and each player’s legs should be anchored in place. Power wheelchairs are not allowed in the game.
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Start the game with the throw-in. The ball is put in play from the sidelines using an over-the-head throw and the clock starts when the ball is touched by a player. The throw in is used to restart play after a goal as well.
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Use hands, feet, and the chairs to move the ball. Although all players may use their hands (in regular soccer only the goalie may do so) the ball cannot simply be held. A player may dribble the ball or use the chair or feet to move the ball. The time to hold the ball is limited to 5 seconds in some situations. The specific rules governing time limits are detailed but generally this is similar to the limits in the game of basketball. A point is scored when the ball enters the goal
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Play a 10-minute sudden death overtime if the score is tied ant the end of the regulation 50 minutes. If neither team scores during the overtime period a winner is decided by penalty shots.
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Tips & Warnings
Power wheelchairs or scooters are not allowed. There is an alternative form of indoor wheelchair soccer that is adapted for persons who must use powered chairs.
Indoor wheelchair soccer is part of the Special Olympics as well as national competitions and annual championship tournament.
