At one time, individuals with physical limitations were somewhat prevented from participating in athletic sports. As time as gradually passed; however, some sports have become available for individuals with disabilities. One of these is wheelchair basketball, which is now played in the Paralympic Games. The games are now held on a regular basis, just after the Olympic Games. Since its inception, wheelchair basketball has become widely known for its fast pace and the way in which it has allowed individuals with disabilities to participate in the same events as individuals without disabilities.

Wheelchair basketball teams consist of five players each, who play on a court just like traditional basketball. There are also seven substitutes in wheelchair basketball. During breaks in the game, substitutions may take place.

The object of the game of wheelchair basketball is for each team to score a goal and prevent the other team from scoring; no different than the regular game of basketball. At the end of the game, the team that has scored the most points is determined to be the winner of wheelchair basketball.

For the most part, there are virtually few differences between wheelchair basketball and regular basketball; although, there are obviously some adaptations which must be made. Usually these adaptations are based on the various abilities of the players. In many cases a classification system may be used in order to determine the abilities of the players. The scales may rate the players based on a scale of 1 to 5.

The rules of wheelchair basketball must also be somewhat adapted, although most of the major rules are still retained. Most people are surprised to learn, for example, that the height of the basketball hoop does not change from traditional basketball to wheelchair basketball. In regular basketball, the hoop is mounted at a height of ten feet and that does not change in wheelchair basketball. Some of the rules that do change include infractions for when the athlete touches his wheels too many times consecutively.

Depending on where wheelchair basketball is practiced, the game may be played by individuals with disabilities as well as those without disabilities. A few of the countries that play mixed wheelchair basketball include England, Australia and Canada. As wheelchair basketball has become more popular, it has taken on an intense level of interest on the international scale.

Although wheelchair basketball has only become widely known in the last few years, it has actually been around since World War II, at which time many traditional sports were adapted for individuals with disabilities, including basketball.