faqS

FAQS

FAQS

Wheelchair basketball official.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ohio Interscholastic Wheelchair Basketball League follows NFHS and OHSAA basketball rules and timelines, with minor modifications and wheelchair-specific adaptations outlined in the OIAS Wheelchair Basketball Rule Book. Some of the key differences are listed below.

The Ohio Interscholastic Wheelchair Basketball League follows NFHS and OHSAA basketball rules and timelines, with minor modifications and wheelchair-specific adaptations outlined in the OIAS Wheelchair Basketball Rule Book. Some of the key differences are listed below.

Team Rosters

  • Teams are co-gender and consist of students in grades 1-12 who are enrolled in a participating district.
  • Students living in a participating district who are homeschooled, attend a private school, or go to a career center are also eligible.

 Classification/Eligibility

  • All rostered players are designated as either Class 1, Class 2, or Class 2AB.
  • Class 1 or Class 2 placement of a player with a physical disability is a non-medial determination based on the evidence presented on the Eligibility Verification Form.

Class 2AB

  • Players without physical disabilities are placed in Class 2AB.
  • A maximum of five Class 2AB players are permitted on a team roster.
  • Only three Class 2AB players may dress per game.
  • Lineups may not include more than two Class 2 and/or Class 2AB players on the court at a time.
  • Only one of the two allotted team captain positions may be a Class 2AB athlete.

Team Rosters

  • Teams are co-gender and consist of students in grades 1-12 who are enrolled in a participating district.
  • Students living in a participating district who are homeschooled, attend a private school, or go to a career center are also eligible.

 Classification

  • All rostered players are designated as either Class 1, Class 2, or Class 2AB.
  • Class 1 or Class 2 placement of a player with a physical disability is a non-medial determination based on the evidence presented on the Eligibility Verification Form.

Driven by a vision of inclusion, Adaptive Sports Ohio has pioneered the creation of interscholastic wheelchair basketball for students with physical disabilities in Ohio. In 2015, Adaptive Sports Ohio established the first team in partnership with Wooster City School District.

How much does it cost to have an interscholastic wheelchair basketball team?

Driven by a vision of inclusion, Adaptive Sports Ohio has pioneered the creation of interscholastic wheelchair basketball for students with physical disabilities in Ohio. In 2015, Adaptive Sports Ohio established the first team in partnership with Wooster City School District.

Starting a team requires minimal cost for the school district. Adaptive Sports Ohio provides all equipment, training, scheduling, and league oversight for free. The school only covers standard sport operating costs like uniforms, transportation, and game day st

Driven by a vision of inclusion, Adaptive Sports Ohio has pioneered the creation of interscholastic wheelchair basketball for students with physical disabilities in Ohio. In 2015, Adaptive Sports Ohio established the first team in partnership with Wooster City School District.

Does a student have to be in a wheelchair to play wheelchair basketball?

Driven by a vision of inclusion, Adaptive Sports Ohio has pioneered the creation of interscholastic wheelchair basketball for students with physical disabilities in Ohio. In 2015, Adaptive Sports Ohio established the first team in partnership with Wooster City School District.

No, students do not need to use an everyday wheelchair to be eligible for wheelchair basketball. Many athletes who play wheelchair basketball can walk or ambulate, but still have a qualifying physical disability.

Driven by a vision of inclusion, Adaptive Sports Ohio has pioneered the creation of interscholastic wheelchair basketball for students with physical disabilities in Ohio. In 2015, Adaptive Sports Ohio established the first team in partnership with Wooster City School District.

Does a student need their own sports wheelchair to participate?

Driven by a vision of inclusion, Adaptive Sports Ohio has pioneered the creation of interscholastic wheelchair basketball for students with physical disabilities in Ohio. In 2015, Adaptive Sports Ohio established the first team in partnership with Wooster City School District.

No, students do not need to own a sports wheelchair. Adaptive Sports Ohio provides sports wheelchairs for all participants. Adaptive Sports Ohio staff works with students at the beginning of the season to ensure they are fitted in a chair that suits their needs.

Driven by a vision of inclusion, Adaptive Sports Ohio has pioneered the creation of interscholastic wheelchair basketball for students with physical disabilities in Ohio. In 2015, Adaptive Sports Ohio established the first team in partnership with Wooster City School District.

Can a homeschooled, charter, or private school student participate?

Driven by a vision of inclusion, Adaptive Sports Ohio has pioneered the creation of interscholastic wheelchair basketball for students with physical disabilities in Ohio. In 2015, Adaptive Sports Ohio established the first team in partnership with Wooster City School District.

Yes, a homeschooled, charter, or private school student can participate under either of the following conditions:

  • They live in the school district boundary lines: They are automatically eligible to join that district’s team.
  • They attend a private or charter school in the district boundary lines, but live outside of the district: They can participate as long as a Cooperative Program Agreement is signed between the district and their school.

Driven by a vision of inclusion, Adaptive Sports Ohio has pioneered the creation of interscholastic wheelchair basketball for students with physical disabilities in Ohio. In 2015, Adaptive Sports Ohio established the first team in partnership with Wooster City School District.

Can a student without a disability participate on a team?

Driven by a vision of inclusion, Adaptive Sports Ohio has pioneered the creation of interscholastic wheelchair basketball for students with physical disabilities in Ohio. In 2015, Adaptive Sports Ohio established the first team in partnership with Wooster City School District.

Yes, interscholastic wheelchair basketball teams are permitted to include up to five non-disabled athletes on their roster, where they are referred to as “Class 2AB” players. Class 2AB athletes must follow specific gameplay regulations and the Class 2AB code of conduct.

Driven by a vision of inclusion, Adaptive Sports Ohio has pioneered the creation of interscholastic wheelchair basketball for students with physical disabilities in Ohio. In 2015, Adaptive Sports Ohio established the first team in partnership with Wooster City School District.

Is my school required to allow students with physical disabilities to play sports?

Driven by a vision of inclusion, Adaptive Sports Ohio has pioneered the creation of interscholastic wheelchair basketball for students with physical disabilities in Ohio. In 2015, Adaptive Sports Ohio established the first team in partnership with Wooster City School District.

Yes, public school districts in Ohio are required to provide students with physical disabilities an equal opportunity to play sports. The following legislation places that requirement on schools:


  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
  • Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act


Visit the Students Rights page to learn more about students rights.

How much does it cost a school district to start a wheelchair basketball team?

Starting a team requires minimal cost for the school district. Adaptive Sports Ohio provides all equipment, training, scheduling, and league oversight for free. The school only covers standard sport operating costs like uniforms, transportation, and game day st

CPA

  • The Cooperative Program Agreement (CPA) allows school districts that have difficulty creating an independent wheelchair basketball team within their district due to low student enrollment to partner with a nearby school to create a singular wheelchair basketball team.
  • Partner districts must be located withing 20 miles (building to building) and total enrollment between partner districts may not exceed 6,000.
  • The purpose of this agreement, however, is not to create teams that will undermine the competitive fairness and sportsmanship of the league.

Class 2AB

  • Players without physical disabilities are placed in Class 2AB. A maximum of five Class 2AB players are permitted on a team roster.
  • Only three Class 2AB players may dress per game. Lineups may not include more than two Class 2 and/or Class 2AB players on the court at a time.
  • Only one of the two allotted team captain positions may be a Class 2AB athlete.

Traveling/Pivoting

  • A travel is defined as more than two pushes and/or contacts with the rim (including propulsion or change of direction) before dribbling, passing, or shooting the ball.
  • A pivot is defined as a short forward or backward movement of one wheel without the player breaking hand contact on the wheel/pushrim.
  • Any contact with the wheels beyond the two allowed pushes that does not qualify as a pivot, is a traveling violation.

Does a student have to be in a wheelchair to play wheelchair basketball?

No, students do not need to use an everyday wheelchair to be eligible for wheelchair basketball. Many athletes who play wheelchair basketball can walk or ambulate, but still have a qualifying physical disability.

Does a student need their own sports wheelchair to participate?

No, students do not need to own a sports wheelchair. Adaptive Sports Ohio provides sports wheelchairs for all participants. Adaptive Sports Ohio staff works with students at the beginning of the season to ensure they are fitted in a chair that suits their needs.

Can a homeschooled, charter, or private school student participate?

Yes, a homeschooled, charter, or private school student can participate under either of the following conditions:

  • They live in the school district boundary lines: They are automatically eligible to join that district’s team.
  • They attend a private or charter school in the district boundary lines, but live outside of the district: They can participate as long as a Cooperative Program Agreement is signed between the district and their school.

Can a student without a disability participate on a team?

Yes, interscholastic wheelchair basketball teams are permitted to include up to five non-disabled athletes on their roster, where they are referred to as “Class 2AB” players. Class 2AB athletes must follow specific gameplay regulations and the Class 2AB code of conduct.

Is my school required to allow students with physical disabilities to play sports?

Yes, public school districts in Ohio are required to provide students with physical disabilities an equal opportunity to play sports. The following legislation places that requirement on schools:


  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
  • Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act


Visit the Students Rights page to learn more about students rights.

Cooperative Program Agreement

  • The Cooperative Program Agreement (CPA) allows school districts that have difficulty creating an independent wheelchair basketball team within their district due to low student enrollment to partner with a nearby school to create a singular wheelchair basketball team.
  • Partner districts must be located withing 20 miles (building to building) and total enrollment between partner districts may not exceed 6,000.
  • The purpose of this agreement, however, is not to create teams that will undermine the competitive fairness and sportsmanship of the league.

Play Time

Players are permitted to play more than 6 quarters per day.

Double Dribble

There is no double dribble in wheelchair basketball.

Fouls

The wheelchair is considered part of the player's body in regards to fouls.

20-10 Mercy Rule

  • If at any point in the second half the point differential is 20 points or more, the clock will continue to run, only stopping for timeouts and injuries, and the leading team may only have one Class 2AB on the court.
  • If, after removing a Class 2AB due to a second half 20-point differential, the leading team does not have five players eligible for a legal line up, the game will continue with four players from their team.
  • When the score differential becomes 10 points or less, the Class 2AB mercy restriction is removed.
  • If at any point in the second half the point differential becomes less than 20 points, after already being a differential of 20 points or more, the clock will still continue to run.

Traveling and Pivoting

  • A travel is defined as more than two pushes and/or contacts with the rim (including propulsion or change of direction) before dribbling, passing, or shooting the ball.
  • A pivot is defined as a short forward or backward movement of one wheel without the player breaking hand contact on the wheel/pushrim.
  • Any contact with the wheels beyond the two allowed pushes that does not qualify as a pivot, is a traveling violation.

Play Time

Players are permitted to play more than 6 quarters per day.

Fouls

The wheelchair is considered part of the player's body in regards to fouls.

Double Dribble

There is no double dribble in wheelchair basketball.