What are the time rules in wheelchair basketball?
I · Intermediate · Play · 2 of 3Attackers may stay in the restricted area for 3 seconds at most, judged by all wheels and castors touching the floor. A closely guarded player has 5 seconds to pass, shoot or dribble. A team has 8 seconds to bring the ball into its frontcourt and 24 seconds to shoot. The ball is in the frontcourt when the player's whole chair is.
How it works
- Three seconds: in the restricted area.
- Out of the area: all wheels and castors.
- Five seconds: when closely guarded, within 1 m.
- Eight seconds: to reach the frontcourt.
- Frontcourt: whole chair across.
- 24 seconds: to shoot.
- Defender's chair in backcourt: ball still in backcourt.
- Violation: ball to the opponents.
The glossary has the three seconds (wheelchair basketball), the closely guarded (wheelchair basketball), the eight seconds and shot clock (wheelchair basketball), the frontcourt and backcourt (wheelchair basketball), the anti-tip castor and the wheelchair as part of the player.
Tricky cases
One castor still touches the key. Still in?
Yes, if it touches the floor.
A dribbler's front wheels cross halfway. In the frontcourt?
Not until the whole chair is across.
How close is "closely guarded"?
Within 1 m.
Does the shot clock differ from running basketball?
No. 24 seconds.
Why the rule exists
Time rules keep the game moving and stop big chairs parking under the basket.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Restricted area | 3 seconds | 26 |
| Guarded | 5 seconds | 27 |
| Backcourt | 8 seconds | 28 |
From the rule book
IWBF, Official Wheelchair Basketball Rules 2024 (version 2, valid from 3 February 2025), articles 26 to 29. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IWBF Official Wheelchair Basketball Rules 2024.