Can you cut across another chair in wheelchair basketball?
A · Advanced · Play · 1 of 2A moving player may turn into an opponent's path only when their rear axle is ahead of the opponent's footrest, with time and distance to avoid contact. A chair cannot stop at once, so anyone stopping in front of a moving chair must leave room to brake. A screen is legal if the screener is stationary in their own cylinder.
How it works
- Crossing: rear axle ahead of their front.
- Time and distance: room to brake.
- Speed: more speed needs more room.
- Slight contact while braking: may be incidental.
- Screen: screener stationary.
- Inside the cylinder: for a legal screen.
- Stationary opponent: screen as close as wanted.
- Moving opponent: time and distance apply.
The glossary has the crossing the path, the time and distance (wheelchair basketball), the legal screening (wheelchair basketball), the cylinder principle, the legal guarding position (wheelchair basketball) and the block and charge (wheelchair basketball).
Tricky cases
A player cuts in when level with the opponent's footrest. Legal?
No. The axle must be ahead.
A screener rolls into the defender. Legal screen?
No. The screener must be stationary.
Light contact as a chair brakes. Foul?
It may be incidental.
Is a blind-side screen allowed?
Yes, with time and distance for a moving opponent.
Why the rule exists
Chairs need distance to stop, so the rules demand room before a cut or screen.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing | Axle ahead | 33.6 |
| Stopping | Room to brake | 33.7 |
| Screens | Stationary | 33.8 |
From the rule book
IWBF, Official Wheelchair Basketball Rules 2024 (version 2, valid from 3 February 2025), articles 33.6 to 33.8. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IWBF Official Wheelchair Basketball Rules 2024.