Wheelchair Basketball is played in accordance with NCAA rules with few exceptions for the wheelchair. All measurements such as the height of the basket, the size of the floor, and the three-point line are all the same as college basketball.
The height of the seat may not exceed 21 inches off the floor. The player may use a cushion of flexible material on the seat of the wheelchair. It must be of the same length and width as the seat of the wheelchair. The cushion cannot exceed 4 inches of thickness for Class I and Class II players and 2 inches thick for Class III players.
Players are classified according to their injury and resulting mobility. Players are classified as Class I, II, or III and teams are allowed no more than 12 classification points on the floor at one time. For example, most teams play three class III's, one class II, and one class I (3+3+3+2+1=12 points). Another common lineup in three class II's and two class III's (2+2+2+3+3=12 points.) It is acceptable to play less than 12 points but no matter how many points atre on the floor, there still can be no more than 5 players.
Players with disabilities that have the least effect on strength and balance, such as a lower limb amputation, are given a class III rating. Players that have more involved disability characteristics are given a class I or II rating.
TRAVELING VIOLATION The player may push on the wheels of the wheelchair no more than twice, before dribbling, passing or shooting the ball. Three consecutive pushes on the wheels of the wheelchair, including pivot movements, constitutes a traveling violation. There is no double-dribble violation in wheelchair basketball so a player may take two pushes, dribble, and then take an additional two pushes as often as he wishes.
FOUR-SECONDS VIOLATION A player may remain for no more than four (4) seconds in the opponent's restricted area. This is one second longer than college basketball because wheelchairs do not move laterally.
PHYSICAL ADVANTAGE FOUL (PAF) Players must stay firmly seated in their chairs at all times. If a player lifts off of his or her seat to gain an advantage or uses a fuctional leg to control his chair, a physical advantage foul is called. Similar to a technical foul, when a player commits a PAF, the opposing team is awarded two free throws and possession of the ball. Three PAFs in one game results in an ejection.