Point-Classification Basketball
Standing basketball where each player draws a card with a class from 1 to 4 points and a restriction, and the team can't exceed 10 points on the court. It shows how wheelchair basketball classification levels the playing field.
How to play
- Explain that in wheelchair basketball each player has a class from 1 to 4.5 points and the five on the court can't total more than 14. Today cards simulate it (3 min).
- Make 4 teams of 6 and give each team 6 cards: two 1-pointers (walk only, dribble with the weak hand), two 2-pointers (no jumping, chest passes only), one 3-pointer (no jumping) and one 4-pointer (no restriction) (3 min).
- Before each period, the team picks 4 players totaling 10 points or less, and the teacher checks.
- Two half-court 4-on-4 games with 4-minute periods. A basket is 2 points; a basket by a 1-pointer is worth 3.
- After each period, shuffle and redeal the cards. Play 4 periods (16 min).
Rules
- Each player follows their restriction for the whole period; breaking it gives the ball to the other team.
- No contact: defend at arm's length and never rip the ball out of someone's hands.
- Talk about classes respectfully: describe what a person can do, and never act it out as a joke.
Variations
Easier
Only 1- and 4-point cards, with a 12-point cap.
Standard
Four-on-four with 1-to-4-point cards and a 10-point cap.
Harder
Five-on-five with the official 14-point cap and half-point classes the class invents.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a student with a real physical disability agrees on a class with the teacher and never draws at random.
- Autism or shyness: picture cards and advance notice of teammates.
- Fitness level: the student can play more periods as a 1- or 2-pointer.
Learning goals
- Understand how functional classification allows fair competition.
- Make team decisions combining different abilities.
- Adjust dribbling, passing and shooting to a restriction.
Equipment for a class of 25
- basketballs: 2
- pinnies: 24
- role cards: 24
- cones: 8
Teacher tip
Laminate the cards with one color per class to check totals at a glance. Remind students the goal is to understand the system, not to imitate people with disabilities.
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