Murderball – Wheelchair Rugby for Quadriplegics

posted on Apr 19 by Brian in the Disability News, Fun, Paralympics, Wheelchair Accessibility, Wheelchair Sports category

In 1976, five Canadian wheelchair athletes created a sport specifically designed for quadriplegics. At the time, wheelchair basketball was the most common sport for athletes with disabilities. Because of the upper body strength and control needed to dribble and shoot the ball, quadriplegics were often forced into supportive positions. The athletes took elements of wheelchair basketball, ice hockey, handball, and rugby and created a high contact sport that allowed quadriplegics to play in both offensive and defensive positions. This new sport was called murderball due to its aggressive, full contact nature. Quadriplegics can play murderball regardless of a wide range of functional ability levels.

In the late 1980s the name was changed from murderball to wheelchair rugby even though the sport has little in common with regular rugby other than the name. The sport is practiced in 20 countries. The first international wheelchair rugby competition was played in 1989 between the United States, Great Britain, and Canada. In 1990, wheelchair rugby was played at the World Wheelchair Games as an exhibition event, and as a fully recognized sport in 1993. It became an official sport in the 2000 Paralympics Summer Games.

Wheelchair Rugby Requirements and Rules

Athletes must have disabilities that include loss of function in at least three limbs to qualify for wheelchair rugby. Players are medically considered as quadriplegics though functionally they are paraplegics.

A wheelchair rugby court is an indoor court with a hardwood floor the size of a regulation basketball court. A line is across the center of the court to identify front and back courts for teams respectively. A circle in the middle of the court is in place for tip offs to begin quarters and when the team gains possession of the ball. At either end of the court, there is a box about 8 meters wide and 2 meters in front of the goal line. This box is referred to as the key.

Wheelchair rugby is played by 2 teams of 12 players. Four players from each team are on the court at any given time. Teams are made up of both male and female athletes. Players score by carrying the ball across the goal line at either end of the court. No more than 3 players on a team are allowed to be inside the key at one time to defend the goal line. Offensive players are not allowed in the key more than 10 seconds. The player with possession of the ball must bounce or pass the ball in 10 seconds. Teams have 12 seconds to advance the ball from their back court to the front court and a total of 40 seconds to score or concede possession of the ball. Physical contact is an integral part of the sport but only contact between wheelchairs. Actual body contact between players is against the rules and the player is fouled. Each wheelchair rugby game consists of four 8 minute quarters with 3 minute overtime periods in the event of a tie.

Murderball “Wheelchair Rugby” on the Court and the Screen

Wheelchair rugby continues to gain popularity among athletes with disabilities and sports fans everywhere. One of the most critically-acclaimed documentaries of 2005 is about paraplegics that play wheelchair rugby called Murderball. The film centers on the rivalry between the United States and Canada leading up to the 2004 Paralympic Games. It is available for purchase or rent, and gives excellent insight into this fascinating sport.