• Collapsible wheelchairs, shown above, are not the best option when it comes to playing wheelchair basketball.wheelchairs image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
  
  Basketball for the disabled, also known as wheelchair basketball, first became popular during the late 1940’s, when disabled World War II veterans began competing in the sport. Now, several different organizations offer wheelchair basketball programs and run wheelchair basketball leagues. These include Blaze Sports, the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) and the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF). One of the many benefits of playing wheelchair basketball is that it requires only a few pieces of equipment.
  
  

Wheelchair

• The most crucial piece of equipment for a disabled person playing basketball is the wheelchair. According to Disaboom, people who are just starting out with wheelchair basketball often use their basic, collapsible wheel chairs, which are fine for low-level or recreational play. However, for people who want to take their playing to the next level, and participate in competitive leagues, upgrading to sport-specific or sport-grade wheelchairs is important. These wheelchairs are much sturdier than their collapsible counterparts, and offer improved handling and speed. Some models have over-sized tires, which increase traction and provide a better grip for players to propel their wheelchairs forward with more force. When deciding on a sport wheelchair model, make sure it meets the standards of the IWBF. These mandate that the maximum seat height for an allowable wheelchair is 59-centimeters (cm), or approximately 23-inches, and that the maximum wheel diameter is 69-cm, or approximately 27-inches. The footrest on a player’s wheelchair must be 11-cm, approximately 4-1/2, or less from the ground.
  
  

Camber Bars

• The majority of sport-grade wheelchairs have camber, which is a particular type of alignment of the rear wheels wherein the tops of both angle inward towards the chair. This alignment helps give the bottom of the wheelchair a larger footprint, which increase lateral stability and allows for tighter and quicker turners, as well as an overall increase in maneuverability. The only draw back is that the higher the degree of camber, the lower the chair’s stop speed. According to USA TechGuide, some chairs have a fixed camber, while others have an adjustable camber, allowing wheelchair basketball players to make adjustments as needed. In the latter instances, players must remember to bring their camber bars with them to games, which are the specialized tools they can use to increase and decrease camber angles.
  
  

Basketball Sneakers

• While wheelchair basketball does not involve any standing or running, wearing comfortable, supportive footwear is still incredibly important. Basketball sneakers are a common choice, as they provide lots of cushion and traction so players can keep their feet firmly on their footrests. Traction is especially important during times when players need to put pressure on the footrests, such as when reaching for loose balls or taking shots.