Wheelchair rugby rules

What Are the Rules of Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby

One of our player/officials Hannah has kindly gone through the wwr rules and provided a breakdown of them in this very unofficial guide to wheelchair rugby fours.

The official rules can be found on the internaitonal governing bodies website WWR International Rules

The official website also has a casebook regarding the rules. Another useful source is the guide for referee signals found here.

This guide also includes information about the court layout, and some tips that have been passed on by officials, coaches and long term players. These tips are guidance only, Referees are the ones to enforce the rules and their version is what you have to play to.

Aim of Wheelchair Rugby

The aim is to score more tries than the opposing team. This is done by a player having control of the ball as they cross the try line.

The Court

Competition for Wheelchair Rugby takes place indoors on a regulation sized (15 x 28 meters) basketball court with slight modifications. Each end of the court is marked to create a “Key Area”, which is 8 meters wide and 1.75 meters deep.

Things to note with the court

  • Team A is the home team or the team written first on the match schedule.

  • For the first half teams will defend the try line that is closest to their bench area.

  • The inside edge of the line is out of bounds for the whole court, the exception is the try line between the posts, but only when a player is scoring a try and 2 wheels must cross the line.

  • A team has a front court and back court. The front court is the half that includes the try line they are trying to cross to score. The back court is the try line they defend

  • In the key 

    The team defending the key can only have 3 players inside this area

    Players attacking the key can only remain inside the key for 10 seconds at a time

    During one team's possession once the ball has crossed the half way line (into the front court) it cannot go back over the half way line (back into the backcourt).

Starting the game


A tip off (article 61) starts the game. One player from each team enters the centre circle in the same half as the try line they are defending (their back court), this is the same side that their bench is located. All other players must stay out of the semi circle until the ball is touched by either centre player. The referee will blow the whistle to allow contact and throw the ball up between the two centre players who then try to bat the ball to one of their teammates. The centre player cannot bat the ball onto their own lap but after the ball has touched the floor they are then able to pick it up (violations article 82). 

Stoppages in game due to equipment/fallen player

Equipment issues (Article 58). During a game of wheelchair rugby wheelchairs often need new tyres due to punctures, straps can come loose and/or more tape is required, these are all types of equipment calls. To indicate that a player has an issue with their equipment the signal is to tap your the top of your shoulders with your hands. The referee will grant an immediate stoppage in play if the equipment problem places anyone in danger or if the player is immobile and the attacking team is not in a position to score. If the player is still mobile or the attacking team is in a scoring position the referee will call a time-out either at the next stoppage in play or once the scoring opportunity has ended.

Once an equipment time-out has been granted, bench personnel may enter the court through a referee signal to assist a player and there is a time limit of one minute to resolve the problem otherwise the player must be substituted. 

  • After an equipment time-out the ball is inbounded from the position it was at the time the equipment was called. If the equipment was for a player on the attacking team and the ball was still in the back court then the twelve second clock is reset but the forty second shot clock is not. If the equipment was for a player on the team without ball possession then the forty second shot clock for the attacking team gets reset. It is therefore important to be aware if you are defending how long is left of the shot clock if you need to call equipment.

Another cause of stoppage is a fallen player (Article 59). It is a violation for a player to right themselves, the sanction for doing so is a 30 second penalty. The referee will stop play immediately if the player is injured or in danger, the player is in a position that interferes with play, or the attacking team is not in a scoring position. If the attacking team is in a scoring position the play will be stopped as soon as the scoring position ends, this is often viewed as if the ball carrier turns away from the try line. If the fallen player is on the team without the ball the 40 second clock will be reset to 40.

Coaches time outs (article 56)

In January 2025 WWR changed the rules so that player time outs were removed. Instead there was an increased number of coaches time out.

Coaches now have 3 (three) 60 second time outs per half. Coaches are able to call the time outs during any dead ball stoppages (e.g. after scoring tries, penalties, and any other stoppages). To call a time out the coach or assistant coach must indicate wanting a time out to the table officials (in GB this is made through the use of time out cards that are handed to the table).

During the time outs the opposition must remain a quarter of the court away from bench where the team is taking a time out, until the players make their way back into position.

  • After a coaches time out the ball is inbound from the side opposite the benches at the point the ball would be inbounded for the stoppages. Unless the time out was after a try in which case the inbound is from the base line as ususal.

Special Plays

In January 2025 a new rule was created that has added in a special play that advances where the ball can be thrown in. In the last minute of every quarter if a coach calls a time out the coach may request that the ball is inbounded not in the back court (if this is where the ball is due to be inbounded normally) instead the ball is inbounded from next to the second penalty bin box in the teams front court. Whatever shot clock time was remaining (e,g. 40 seconds if the ball was due to a turnover or try) will be left on the shot clock should there be enough time reminaing on the game clock.

  • As Coaches have 3 time outs per half these all could be used to advance the ball up court in the final minute so players should be aware.

    So far this special play has been ued to try and score a last second try. This happens as the shot clock does not start until the referee signals the ball has touched player/chair, in this time a try can happen.

Rules for team in possession of the ball

The following rules apply to the team in possession of the ball. Failure to adhere to the rules causes a foul and the sanction of losing possession of the ball to the opposing team (turnover). There is no limit to how many times a violation occurs throughout the game but each time the possession will change.

After the tip off, if a try is scored or the ball goes out of bounds or possession changes to the other team, or any stoppage in play then an inbound (article 70.) is required. A player can indicate that they are to take the inbound, players must allow the inbounder to take position to inbound the ball.

Eight second violation (article 81). An Inbounder has 8 seconds to get the ball into play (thrown, rolled, bounced or batted) so that it is touched by a player or a chair within those 10 seconds. 

Failure to do so will result in a sanction that the possession changes to the other team.

  • If the inbound is due to the other team scoring then the inbounder is permitted to inbound from anywhere on the end line and may move along the base line to inbound as long as the ball is inbounded before the 8 seconds are up.

    With all other inbounds the ref will indicate where to inbound from and the player cannot move from this position.

    Entry to the court must be from where the ball was inbounded from, within a 1 meter radius (article 81).

Twelve second violation (article 75). Once the ball is inbounded into the back court a team has 12 seconds in which to get the ball over half-way (into their frontcourt), the ball must touch a player or the floor before the 12 seconds is up.

Sanction – Possession changes to the other team

  • The 40 second clock starts when the Referee drops their arm after the inbound has been touched by a player or made contact with a chair. However, the Referee does not start their 12 second count until possession has been gained. It is only from that moment, that players have 12 seconds to get over the half-way line. This is why you will sometimes see 26 seconds on the possession clock and the Referee hasn’t penalised a team with a 12 second call, despite all of the players and the bench shouting that the clock is showing less than 28 seconds on the clock.

  • If the ball goes out of play or a time-out is called before the 12 seconds elapse, the team in possession has a new 12 seconds in which to get the ball over halfway. The Referees check to see what time remains on the possession clock and so will good players. They will then know at what point their new 12 seconds elapses, assuming that the inbound is taken cleanly and possession gained immediately.

  • As the ball must hit the front court before the 12 seconds is up, some players will throw the ball into the front court and retrieve it themselves. This is allowed as long as the ball bounces within those 12 seconds

Eight second dribble violation (article 79). A player in possession must pass or bounce the ball at least once every 8 seconds 

Sanction – Possession changes to the other team

Forty second violation (article 83). A team that has possession of the ball has 40 seconds in which to score a try. If they interrupt their own possession by calling a time-out, an equipment call or a fallen player on their team then the possession clock is not reset. If however, the other team interrupts their possession then the possession clock will be reset to 40 seconds. Similarly, if a Referee Time-out is called or if there is a Referee error, then the possession clock is reset to 40 seconds.

Sanction – Possession changes to the other team

Scoring a try (article 68). A try is scored when a player has possession/control of the ball and the wheelchair crosses the opposing try line (2 wheels, either front casters or big wheels must cross the full line between the two posts). However, touching the posts prior to 2 wheels completely crossing the try line results in no try being awarded and possession passing to the other team.


Out and in violation (article 77). This occurs where the player trying to score has one wheel across the try line in contact with the floor and before the second wheel can cross for a legitimate try, the wheel that crossed the line breaks contact with the floor or returns to the in-bounds area (the court and/or in this instance, the try line itself).

Sanction - possession changes to the other team

Backcourt violation (article 73). This is known by most as over and back. During a team's possession once the ball has entered the frontcourt (by touching or being carried over the halfway line) the ball cannot legally go back into the backcourt and be touched by the same team. 

Sanction - possession changes to the other team

  • a common play by the defending team will be to hit a player carrying the ball just as they touch the halfway line. If they manage to push even one wheel that had touched the line back into the backcourt the foul is committed. Therefore if at risk of being hit on the line stop just before and look to pass to someone in the frontcourt

Physical advantage violation (article 78). A player touching the ball must not also touch the floor with any part of their body or their chair (except the 4 wheels and anti-tip device)

Sanction - possession changes to the other team

  • if you feel you are about to fall out of the chair and you have the ball, try to pass the ball to a teammate. This is not easy.

Ball out of bounds violation (article 74). The ball is out of bounds when it touches a player or an object that is out of bounds. A player cannot intentionally cause the ball to go out of bounds by bouncing it off an opposing player or their chair. 

Sanction - possession changes to the other team

Leaving the court violation (article 93). No player of the team in possession may cross the oppositions try line without the ball.

Sanction - possession changes to other team

Eight seconds in the key violation (article 80). No player of the team in possession may remain in the opposition key area for longer than 8 seconds at a time.

Sanction – Possession changes to the other team

  •  It is the Referee standing behind the try line that will be checking for offensive players who are in the key for 8 seconds. The other Referee stood in the field of play, will usually be in line with the top of the key and will be looking for a 4 in the key violation by the defensive team. So don’t look at the Referee in the field of play and shout “8 seconds!” at them, if you are a defender, they won’t be looking for it and will probably have no idea how long anyone has been in the key. That said, it is rare but not unknown for Referees to make the other Referee’s call.

Fouls that players of both attacking team and defending team can commit

This section explains the fouls that can be committed by players of both teams regardless if the team is in possession of the ball. There are no limits to how many fouls can be committed by an individual or team.

The sanction for committing one of these fouls when a team is in possession of the ball is the possession will change to the other team. If a team in defence (without possession) commits the foul then the player will be sent to the penalty bin unless the attacking team was in the process of scoring in which case a penalty try will be awarded and the game proceeds as a try has been scored. The rules regarding penalties are explained after the fouls.

Illegal use of hands (Article 95)

A player may not use their hands or arms to make deliberate or advantagous contact with an opponent.

  • If a player is trying to get the ball, you are permitted to protect the ball with your body, arms and hands (75% of the ball must be available to play) and in many instances, you will ‘draw’ the foul.

    Article 86 explains vertical space a player is allowed

  • Players will look to Referees for this call and be aggrieved when the call isn’t made. 

    Referees will not stop the game for every occasion that contact is made, otherwise games will last 2.5 hours. It’s a judgement call and if the player in possession is not definitely disadvantaged by the contact, the Referee will ignore it and the game will continue to flow.

Spinning Foul (Article 96). It is a foul to hit a player’s chair behind the back axle so that it causes the chair to rotate either vertically or horizontally in a way that places the opposing player's safety at risk. An offensive spin, committed by a player of the team in possession, results in possession passing to the other team. A defensive spin results in the player being sent to the penalty box (unless a penalty try is awarded instead). A defensive spin on or behind the try line, as a player is scoring runs a very high risk of being called a Flagrant Foul (explained later on).

Contact Before the Whistle (Article 90). In both WR5s and Wheelchair Rugby Fours: National Series players are not allowed deliberate and advantageous contact before the Referee’s whistle is blown to indicate that the ball is live, in the inbounder’s lap. Players can and should shadow who they are marking rather than sitting still but no hitting/picking etc till the whistle sounds to signal the start of legal contact.

Probably one of the most misunderstood parts of the game, by players, coaches and spectators. Two players smashing into each other head-on, making a loud noise and then both carrying on their own sweet way is not necessarily going to result in a Contact Before the Whistle call by the Referee. If neither player/team is disadvantaged by that particular contact, then no call will be made. On the other hand, the merest touch/glancing of chairs that results in a player being knocked off course and into a position where they are unable to escape from, can be deemed to have been both advantageous and deliberate. Referees will issue a warning to the team on first occurrence in each half. However, subsequent fouls result in players being sent to the penalty box.

  • Players can use the one warning you are given in each half, tactically to trap a player at a key moment in the game. Additionally, on the warning, players are not required to give up their position, so players can use the warning to make life difficult for the other team.

Leaving the Court Foul (Article 93). Players must not leave the court during stoppages in play unless permitted by the referee or by another rule (such as substitution or to go to the penalty box). Players who do not have hold of the ball are not allowed to deliberately leave the court in order to improve position or gain an advantage. Players are allowed to leave the court to prevent an injury to themselves or others. When a player has left the court players must re-enter the court as close as possible to the point at which they left. Players must not gain an advantage that they didn’t have when they were on court.

Players of the team that have possession of the ball must not cross the try line of the opposition without the ball. When a team is not in possession a player must not cross the opposition try line between the posts unless play is far removed from the key area.

Pushing Foul (Article 94). A player may not continually apply force from their chair to another chair that results in the other player moving from a legal to an illegal position e.g. pushing them continually from the front court into their back court when they have the ball or pushing them out of bounds or over the active try line. 

  • When trying to push a player into an illegal position, break contact momentarily between the chairs with your wheels and then push again so that it is not one continual push.

    Referees do struggle to spot this foul, so it is not called very often. 

Charging Foul (Article 89). A player is not permitted to hit an opponent with excessive speed or force, relative to the opponent, risking injury to that opponent. Charging is a foul that is very seldom called. However, Referees in WR5s are now very aware of the potential for more serious injury to low-point players from higher point players and will be aiming to protect them from unnecessary risk

Holding Foul (Article 92). A player cannot grasp or hold an opponent with his/her hands or any other part of their body, so as to restrict the opponent’s freedom of movement. Nor may a player lean on an opponent, sufficient to place him/her at a disadvantage

One metre violation (Article 97). Prior to the ball being inbounded, no player from either team is allowed within a metre from the court edge, where the inbounder sets up. If a player from the team with the ball commits this foul, possession is awarded to the other team. If it is the defence who causes this foul the player who committed the foul serves a penalty.

If the inbounder moves after initially setting up, then any player within a metre of where the inbounder chooses to stop is not deemed to have committed a violation because the inbounder was responsible for there being less than 1 metre.

Defensive fouls

There is only one foul that is specific to teams without possession of the ball.
Four in the Key (Article 91). Regardless which version of the game, only 3 defensive players are allowed in the Key at any one time. If a fourth defensive player enters the key (even by touching the line) they are sent to the Penalty Box. 

Serving Penalties (Articles 105-108).

The penalty box is located opposite the officials table and next to the penalty keepers table. There is a box marked on each side which corresponds with the same side as the team bench. A player who is sent to the penalty box must head straight there and position themselves within the box. A normal penalty is 30 seconds in game time duration or until the other team scores a goal that is not deemed a penalty goal. 

A player serving a penalty must remain within the penalty box during any stoppages including time-outs, and in Wheelchair Rugby Fours: National Series during the breaks between the first and third periods. During half time the player may return to the team bench but must be back in the penalty box before the second half starts.

Once the 30 seconds of game time has passed the player in the penalty box is allowed to rejoin the game but must leave the penalty box by the lines marked on the court. 

  • Often an opposing team member will attempt to stop a player from rejoining the court by positioning their chair in front of the entry point of the penalised player (called a line trap). This is allowed and part of the game. The trapped player can call to inbound the ball as inbounders must be allowed to take position to inbound the ball.

Technical, Flagrant and Disqualifying fouls

Technical Fouls (article 98). A technical foul results from an administrative error or a violation of acceptable behaviour and decorum. Technical fouls may be committed by a player or by bench personnel.

The sanction for a technical foul charged to a player is a 30 second penalty served by the player who committed the foul. 

The sanction for a technical foul charged to bench personnel, including the coach, team staff, or substitutes, is a 30 second penalty served by a player on the court chosen by the coach.

Technical Fouls are awarded for Equipment violations such as an illegal chair and also for a team exceeding the maximum permitted points total on court.

Player Technical Foul (article 99). A player is not permitted to disregard the instructions of the officials, to use unsportsmanlike tactics, or to behave in an unsportsmanlike manner.

There is a long list of possible offences but the most commonly committed are ; using disrespectful or abusive language towards any person, preventing the in-bounder from completely returning to the court after an inbound (a player must have front casters and the axle of the big wheel over the line to be deemed on court), or leaving the penalty box before the expiration of the penalty.

One lesser known Technical Foul is when a player does not have both large wheels in contact with the floor, then it is illegal to make contact with that player’s chair (more examples can be found at article 99).

Flagrant Foul (article 103). A player may not deliberately commit any foul against an opponent. A flagrant foul is committed when it is clear that a player’s intent in committing a common foul is to intimidate his opponent. The most common flagrant foul awarded is spinning a player as they are crossing or have crossed the try line with the ball.

A player who commits a flagrant foul shall serve three penalties. If a change of possession or a Penalty Try is awarded, this will be deemed to be the first penalty served and a further two 30 second penalties (or two tries for the opposing team)  remain to be served. The penalties are served consecutively. 

If a player is charged with a second flagrant foul in the same game the player shall be disqualified from the game (each tournament has their own rules regarding disqualifying fouls. For GBWR this currently means a player cannot take part in any other games within that tournament). The sanction for the disqualification in this situation will be as stated for a flagrant foul.

Disqualifying Foul (Article 104). A person (player both on court and bench, coaches and bench personnel) who commits a foul that is blatantly unsportsmanlike, or that is committed with a clear disregard for safety, shall be disqualified from the game. For example, dangerous play, fighting, continuous and abusive language.

A person who commits a disqualifying foul shall leave the field of play immediately. They are not permitted to remain in the field of play, the surrounding area, or any other area where he may continue to have an influence on the game. Any further interaction by a disqualified person with the game will result in a technical foul charged to bench personnel. In play the sanction for a disqualifying foul is a 40 second penalty, no release by try scored by the opposing team. This penalty is served by a player from the bench with the same point value. (Each tournament has their own rules regarding disqualifying fouls. For GBWR this currently means a player cannot take part in any other games within that tournament)

All in all simple really! Remember this is an unofficial guide

Referees are usually happy to talk over rules and queries although the best time is not in the middle of the game. Accept the call and speak to them calmly afterwards. Remember our referees and table officials are only human, are volunteers and are helping us play rhe game of wheelchair rugby!

If anything is wrong or doesnt make sense please email us, or if you want something explained in a different way.