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International Wheelchair Basketball Federation |
The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation is the international
sanctioning body for wheelchair basketball. They are responsible for the
classification of athletes in the sport based on different divisional levels.
The purpose of the system of classification of the player of the IWBF is
to allow the participation of individuals presenting physical
deficiencies. The range of persons concerned include those with severe
disability able to play basketball to those with minimal disability as
defined by the rules.
Every player is eligible regardless of the nature of his physical
disability. The IWBF proposes a rule of team balance that equalizes the
physical potential of each team and it also requires each team to be
constituted of players presenting different degrees of physical capacity.
Trainers are thus obliged to select players from a full range of physical
disabilities.
In 1982, the system of functional classification for wheelchair
basketball was unanimously accepted by the delegates of the countries
participating in a wheelchair basketball competition at STOKE MANDEVILLE (GBR).
In 1984, during the PARALYMPIC GAMES, wheelchair basketball was played
for the first time using this system.
The system of classification is based mainly on the ability of an athlete
to recognize the player's physical ability to execute fundamental
movements in wheelchair basketball, such as: to push the wheelchair,
to dribble, to pass, to control the ball, to shoot for a basket and to
react in rebounding situations.
Classifiers assign a classification to players representative of the four
classes by comparing their function with the capacities of players with
complete paraplegia that clearly represent defined levels of
trunk balance and volume of space where they are able to play the ball
with two hands while sitting in a wheelchair (volume of action).
This is the basic scale that is described functionally in connection with
the specific movements of wheelchair basketball. It is also validated by
the experience of players, coaches and classifiers.
This well structured scale is the point of reference for the
classification of players presenting other deficiencies: amputation,
cerebral palsy, incomplete paraplegia, post-polio paralysis,
quadriplegia, traumatic head injury, etc.
The close connection between players and the game and open communication
between players and classifiers are preliminary conditions to the success
of the system of classification of players. This
serves the best purpose for wheelchair basketball.
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International Wheelchair Basketball Federation
5142 Ville Maria Lane
Hazelwood, MO 63042-1646
phone: 314.209.9006
fax: 314.739.6688
To learn more about the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation, please
visit their
Official Web-Site.
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| To find out more call the New York City
Sports Commission at
1-877-NYC-SPORTS | | |
