2006 IWRF Rules for the Sport of Wheelchair Rugby

To simplify the text, the male gender will be used to indicate both male and female persons. Any reference in the rules to a player should be interpreted to include the player’s wheelchair, unless otherwise specified.

Section 1. The Game

Article 1. Definition

Wheelchair Rugby is a team sport for male and female athletes with a disability. The aim is to score goals by crossing the opposing team’s goal line while in possession of the ball. The ball may be passed, thrown, batted, rolled, dribbled, or carried in any direction subject to the restrictions laid down in the rules. The team scoring the most goals by the end of the game is declared the winner.

Section 2. Field of play

Article 2. Field of play

The field of play includes the court where the game is played, and the surrounding areas used by the teams and team officials during the game.

See Annex A for a diagram of the field of play.

Article 3. Court

Wheelchair Rugby is played on an indoor court measuring 15 meters in width by 28 meters in length. The court shall be marked with boundary lines, a centerline, a center circle, and two key areas, as defined in Article 7. All lines on the court should be the same width and should be marked in the same color.

A court which meets FIBA regulations for basketball will be considered to meet IWRF regulations for Wheelchair Rugby.

Article 4. Boundary lines

The boundary lines of the court consist of the end lines and the sidelines. The court dimensions are measured from the inside edges of these lines. The inside edges define the boundary between the in-bounds and out-of-bounds areas. All boundary lines are considered to be out-of-bounds.

Article 5. Centerline

The court shall be marked with a centerline across the width of the court from sideline to sideline at a distance 14 meters from each end line.

Article 6. Center circle

The court shall be marked with a center circle, positioned on the centerline with its center a distance of 7.5 meters from each sideline. The center circle shall have a radius of 1.8 meters, measured from the center to the outer edge of the line marking the circle.

Article 7. Key area

The court shall include key areas at each end of the court, centered between the sidelines. Each key area shall be defined by two lines marked perpendicular to the end line, joined by a line marked parallel to the end line. Each key area shall be 8 meters in width, measured from the outside edge of the lines marked perpendicular to the end line, and 1.75 meters in length, measured from the inside edge of the end line to the outside edge of the line marked parallel to the end line. The lines marking the key area are considered to be part of the key area.

Article 8. Goal line

The goal line is the portion of the end line that is within the key area. The ends of each goal line shall be marked by cone-shaped standards. Each cone should be a minimum of 45 centimeters high and should have a square base. The cones shall be located out-of-bounds such that one side touches the inside edge of the end line and one side touches outside edge of the key area. The goal lines and the cones are considered to be out-of-bounds.

Article 9. Backcourt and frontcourt

Each team has a backcourt and a frontcourt. A team’s backcourt is the area from the inside edge of the end line that includes the goal that team is defending up to and including the centerline. The frontcourt is the area from the centerline to the inside edge of the end line that includes the goal the opposing team is defending. The centerline is considered to be part of each team’s backcourt area.

Article 10. Scoring table

The field of play shall include a scoring table located at the centerline outside of the court. (See Annex A)

Article 11. Bench area

The field of play shall include two bench areas, outside the court on the same side as the scoring table. The ends of each bench area shall be defined by lines 2 meters in length, beginning at and perpendicular to the sideline. One line shall extend from the end line and the other shall be marked 5 meters from the centerline. The lines marking the bench areas should be marked in a different color to that used for the lines marking the court.

Article 12. Substitution area

The field of play shall include a substitution area, located outside the court and in front of the scoring table. The ends of the substitution area shall be defined by lines 2 meters in length, beginning at and perpendicular to the sideline. One line shall be marked on each side of the centerline, 3 meters from the centerline. The lines marking the substitution area should be marked in a different color to that used for the lines marking the court.

Article 13. Penalty area

The field of play shall include a penalty area on the side of the court opposite the scoring table. This area will include two penalty boxes, one on each side of the centerline. Each penalty box shall be marked by three lines. The first line should be 2 meters in length parallel to the sideline, marked 1 meter from the sideline and beginning 1 meter from the centerline. The other two lines should be marked perpendicular to the first line and beginning at each end of it, running 1 meter in length away from the sideline. Each team will be assigned the penalty box that is directly opposite its bench area. A penalty table shall be positioned between the two penalty boxes, directly opposite the scoring table. (See Annex A)

Section 3. Equipment

Article 14. Ball

The game shall be played with a spherical ball made of a flexible leather or synthetic leather case, with a bladder inside made of rubber or a similar material. The ball’s circumference must be 65 to 67 centimeters and its weight must be 260 to 280 grams.

A ball which meets FIVB regulations for volleyball shall be considered to meet IWRF regulations for Wheelchair Rugby.

The ball shall be white in color and shall be inflated to at least 7.5 pounds pressure.

Referee 1 shall be the sole judge as to the suitability of the ball provided.

Article 15. Game clock

The scoring table shall be provided with a timing device or devices to time the periods of play, penalties, and time-outs. This shall be the official game clock.

Article 16. Signaling device

The scoring table shall be provided with a device or devices to provide an audible signal of the expiration of playing time, time-outs, requests for substitutions, and other situations requiring the attention of the referees. This may be integrated with the game clock or scoreboard.

Article 17. Scoreboard

The field of play should be equipped with a device to present the running score of the game to the players and spectators. This device may be operated manually, mechanically, or electronically. It may include the game clock as part of the display.

Article 18. Alternating possession directional arrow

The scoring table shall be provided with a device to display the direction of play for the next possession under the alternating possession procedure detailed in Article 60. This device may be operated manually, mechanically, or electronically, and may be incorporated into the scoreboard or game clock.

Article 19. Record sheets

The scoring table and penalty table shall be provided with record sheets to record the score of the game and the penalties served during the game. The standard score sheet is provided at Annex B. The standard penalty sheet is provided at Annex C.

Article 20. Uniform

On each team, all uniform tops must be of the same color and shade. Anything worn under the uniform top that is visible must be of the same color and shade as the dominant color of the uniform top.

On each team, all uniform bottoms must be of the same color and shade. The uniform bottom may be a different color from the uniform top. Anything worn under the uniform bottom that is visible must be of the same color and shade as the dominant color of the uniform bottom. On each team, individual players may wear either long or short uniform bottoms.

All uniform tops shall bear a number between 1 and 15, inclusive, on the front and back. Each player on a team must have a different number. The number on the front must be on the left side and must be 10 centimeters high. The number on the back must be in the center and must be between 12 and 20 centimeters high. Both numbers must be visible at all times. Numbers may also be marked on the backrest of the wheelchair. No other numbers may appear on the uniform.

For games at IWRF-sanctioned tournaments, the team listed first in the program should wear the lighter colored uniform tops. In the event of a clash of color of uniform tops, the Home team shall change. If the game is played on a neutral court, Team A shall change.

Article 21. Hand protection

Players may wear any form of hand protection; however, it cannot include any material that may be hazardous to other players, such as hard or rough material.

Section 4. Wheelchair

Article 22. Compliance with specifications

The wheelchair is considered to be part of the player. Each player is responsible for ensuring that his wheelchair meets all specifications for the duration of the game. If a wheelchair does not meet these specifications it shall be barred from the game until it is brought into compliance.

Article 23. Width

There is no maximum width of wheelchair. No point on the wheelchair may extend in width beyond the widest point of the push rims.