WHEELCHAIR FOOTY
Wheelchair Football is an exciting adaptive version of Australian Football where mixed teams of five take the court. Players with and without disability are encouraged to play in this inclusive game.
The Basics
Games are played between two teams of five in wheelchairs, plus interchange players. It’s played on a rectangular indoor court divided into thirds, with goal posts at either end. Positions include defenders, centres and forwards, and forwards are the only players who can score. A handball is equivalent to a kick, while an underarm throw — below shoulder height — is comparable to a handball.
Player Eligibility
Wheelchair Footy is designed to provide people with a physical disability and/or impairment the opportunity to play a competitive form of Australian Football. The sport is all-inclusive for people all ages, gender and ability, including the participation of athletes without disability.
There are restrictions regarding the number of athletes without a physical disability and/or impairment on court, and within a squad, to ensure opportunities are prioritised for people with a physical disability and/or impairment.
- Each squad may have two able-bodied participants
- Only one able-bodied participant may be on court at a time
To be classified as a person with a physical disability and/or impairment, please refer to the following guidelines based on the Australia Paralympic Committee classification for athletes with a physical impairment.
Athletes must have at least one of the following impairments:
- Limb loss or limb deficiency
- Hypertonia, Ataxia, Athetosis or Dystonia
- Short Stature
- Muscle weakness
- Joint movement restrictions
- Limb length differences
- Spinal cord injuries
PLAYING RULES
1. Playing field
Wheelchair Footy matches are played on basketball or netball courts.
2. Playing numbers
2.1 Where possible, a game should be played 5 players v 5 players, which is the maximum numbers of players on the court at one time.
2.2 The minimum to constitute a game is 3 v 3.
2.3 Regardless how many players each team has on match day, each team is required to play with equal numbers against one another, irrespective of players skill ability, e.g. 4 v 4. 5 v 5.
2.4 There are no restrictions to how many players can be on the bench.
3. Football Requirements
The appropriate football is a Synthetic Sherrin – Size 5.
4. Length of Games
All matches shall consist of 4 x 10 minute quarters, with 5 minutes for half-time.
5. Zones
5.1 There are designated zones (forward, centre and defence) which dictate where assigned players can play.
5.2 There are 2 forwards, 2 defenders and 1 centre.
5.3 The 2 forwards can only move in the Forward or Centre zones.
5.4 Only the designated forwards can score.
5.5 The 2 defenders can only move in the Centre and Back zones.
5.6 The centre player can move in all zones.
6. Identifying players
To identify which players are a forward, centre or defender, each player will wear a coloured band or similar, to assist in distinguishing between the different playing positions.
7. Disposal
7.1 A handpass is equivalent to a kick, and a single-handed underarm throw is equivalent to a handpass in Wheelchair Footy. The players arm when throwing the ball must remain under shoulder height for the disposal to be legal.
7.2 There is no kicking.
7.3 A double handed chest pass is classed as an illegal disposal.
8. Ball Up
8.1 At a centre ball up, both centre players must contest the ruck.
8.2 Each team is permitted to have one additional team member in the centre zone.
Should a team have more than one additional team member in the centre zone, a free kick will be awarded against the offending team.
8.3 If a player falls out of the chair during play, the umpire will immediately suspend play if there is any chance of danger to the fallen player. If not, the umpire will withhold their whistles until the particular play in progress has been completed.
If a player falls out of the chair to gain possession of the ball or by falling keeps opponents from gaining possession of the ball, the ball is awarded to the opposing team.
9. Too Far
9.1 A player may stay in possession of the ball for a maximum of 3 pushes/change of direction of the wheelchair or covered 10 meters before bouncing the ball.
9.2 Players have the option of bouncing the ball the traditional way or by touching the ball on top of the wheel of their wheelchair.
10. Holding the Ball
Tackling is prohibited. The equivalent to a tackle is a touch with one hand.
A player has two seconds or one push to warrant prior opportunity, before holding the ball can be awarded.
11. Holding
A player must not hold, with any part of their chair (by force) or body that will impede any player moving in any direction.
12. Charging/Bumping
12.1 A player cannot charge or bump a stationary player in a reckless manner and must avoid contact where possible when travelling at speed/with momentum.
12. 2At no time can a player bump another player in the back of the chair.
13. Ball Transition
The football can be passed from the defensive zone into the forward zone, without a player taking position of the football in the centre zone.
14. Scoring zones
Scoring can only take place within the forward and centre thirds, by the designated forwards.
15. Shepherding
15.1 A player can shepherd the ball carrier, where contact can be made with the defending player.
15.2 The shepherding player must not bring the defending player to a complete stop otherwise it will be classed as ‘holding’.
15.3 The shepherding player must also not hold the chair of the defending player, as this too will be classed as ‘holding’.
15.4 Should the shepherding player shepherd in a reckless manner, a free kick will be awarded.
16. Wheelchair Obstruction
16.1 A player must not rise from the seat of their wheelchair and if possible both feet should be placed on the footplate or below the chair.
16.2 If a player is deemed to use movements to their advantage to gain possession or dispose of the ball a free kick may be awarded to the opposing team.
17. Out of Bounds
17.1 The ‘last touched rule’ applies.
17.2 For the ball to be deemed out of bounds, the ball must completely cross the line.
17.3 A player’s wheelchair being out of bounds will not characterise the ball being out of bounds.
17.4 Should the player manage to keep the ball in the field of play, even though their wheelchair is out of bounds, this will be deemed ‘play on’.
17.5 Should the umpire be unable to decide who the ball came off last, the umpire will move two (2) metres in from the boundary line and throw the ball up.
18. Marking
A mark is to be paid to a player who marks the ball from a handpass provided that handpass has travelled at least three (3) metres and has not been touched in transit.
19. 5 Metre Penalty
A 5-metre penalty may be applied on top of a free kick at the umpire’s discretion.
20. Playing on from a behind
Following the score of a point, the player may roll out of their defensive goal square to signal to the umpire they have played on.
21. In Danger
A player second to the contest, has a duty of care to protect the hands and head of the player first to the contest.
Should any player second to the contest fail to approach the contest with safety, a free kick will be awarded against them.
