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Εισαγωγή

Wheelchair Rugby

Wheelchair Rugby began in Canada in 1977. Although it is a relatively new sport for people with a disability, it is developing rapidly throughout the world. Wheelchair Rugby is a combination of the pace, regulations and skills required in Basketball and Rugby. The games are held on a basketball ground, and the ball used is similar to the one used in Volleyball.
Men and women athletes with a physical disability can participate in Wheelchair Rugby. The athletes are assessed as to their balance and the mobility of the upper part of their body (trunk), the handling of the ball (passing, receiving, dribbling) and the use of the competition wheelchair (fast forward volition, stopping, changing direction). They are graded accordingly.

The wheelchairs require constant maintenance during a game because of the hard collisions. Each game consists of four periods of eight minutes each, with intermissions in between. Each team consists of four players and eight substitutes. The objective of each team is to score a goal by touching or passing with the two wheels over the goal line of the opposing team, while holding the ball. The team with the highest score at the end of the game is proclaimed winner. The teams consists of both men and women athletes.

Wheelchair Rugby at the 2004 Paralympic Games

Wheelchair Rugby at the Athens Paralympic Games took place at the Helliniko Indoor Arena, at the Helliniko Olympic Complex. The competition programme was completed over a period of six days, from the 19 to 25 September 2004, with the participation of eight teams, while on 22 September there were no Wheelchair Rugby matches. The competition schedule consisted of 24 matches, with 12 qualifying matches, 4 placement matches, 4 semi-finals and 4 finals.

Εξοπλισμός

Equipment

Competition Wheelchairs
Competition wheelchairs in rugby must comply with certain specifications (for example, the height of the seat from the ground must not exceed 53 centimetres), for reasons of equality and safety.

The ball
Wheelchair Rugby is played with a white coloured volleyball. Its circumference is about 65-67 centimetres and its weight varies between 260-280 grams.

Κανονισμοί

Rules

Athletes are assessed as to the balance and mobility of the upper part of the body (the trunk), the handling of the ball and the wheelchair, and are graded between 0.5 and 3.5 points. The highest grade is given to the player with the lowest degree of mobility impairment. Every team consists of four basic players and eight substitutes. Throughout the game the total grade of the four players on the field must not exceed eight points. The objective of each team is to score a goal by touching or passing with the two wheels over the goal line of the opposing team, while holding the ball. The team with the highest score at the end of the game is proclaimed winner.

The field of play
The matches take place indoors and specifically on a Basketball court. The playing area is 15 metres wide (sideline) and 28 metres long (goal line). It is divided into two equal parts by the centre line, where the centre circle is. On each goal line there are two cones at a distance of 8 metres from each other, which specify the goal. Within the ground and at a distance of 1.75 metres from each goal post are the key areas. Only three defensive players are allowed to stay in the key area, while attacking players must not stay in this area for more than 10 seconds. On one side of the field, opposite the official desk and close to the sidelines, are the penalty boxes.

Game Duration
The match is divided into four periods of eight minutes each, with a one minute intermission at the end of the first and third period and a five minute intermission at the end of the second period. In the case of a draw, three minutes of extra time is given. Each team has the right to four time-outs, of one minute each, during the normal duration of the game and one time-out in extra time.

Playing the Game
The game starts with the referee tossing the ball into the centre circle of the playing area. The toss takes place between two opposing players, vertically and higher than the point they can reach. The ball must not hit the ground before it is touched by one of the two players. The remaining players take up positions outside the circle.

The players can, while moving, hold the ball on the thighs, pass it to a teammate or bounce it on the ground. However, they must either pass the ball or dribble it at least once every 10 seconds. Furthermore, the team that has the ball in its possession must pass it over to the other half of the playing field within 15 seconds.

After a goal, foul violation, time-out or interruption in the match, the ball is brought back into the game from the goal line or from the sidelines.

An attacking foul is sanctioned with the deprivation of the ball, and a defensive foul with a one minute expulsion of the player from the playing area (the player remains in the penalty area). That player is also not allowed to substitute an injured player. Instead of the one minute expulsion rule, the referee has the right to grant a penalty shot when the foul is committed on the player in possession of the ball and in a position to score.

Τεχνικές

Αθλητές

Athletes

Sydney Paralympic Games Results | World Ranking


Accomplished Athletes Worldwide

Garett Hickling, Canada
Steve Pate, USA
Mike Gilliland, USA
Satoshi Ito, Japan
Bryan Kirkland, Great Britain
Ronny Verhaegen, Belgium
Norm Lyduch, USA
Koen Delen, Belgium
Eddy Crouch,USA