Powerchair football, which is also called power soccer, is a sport for people with disabilities in power wheelchairs. Powerchair football is usually played on a standard basketball court. The players use a powerchair with a max speed of 10 km/h, which are equipped with footguards and a lap belt is worn. The ball they use is an oversized soccer ball.
Two teams play with four members on each team each including the goalkeeper. One powerchair football match has two 20-minute periods.
There are two major differences between the able-bodied football and powerchair football: the "2-on-1" and "3-in-the-goal-area" rules. In 2-on-1, only a player and an opponent can be within 3 meters of the ball when it is in play - allowing them room to play the ball. In 3-in-the-goal-area, only two players from the defending team can be in their goal area at a time.
The ball is kicked in from the sideline (as many players lack upper body strength), and intentionally striking or ramming another player is not allowed.
Similar Sports
- Association Football (Soccer)
- Power Hockey — like ice hockey but played in an electric wheelchair on a basketball court.
- 7-a-side Football — the adaptation of association football for athletes with cerebral palsy.
- 5-a-side football — association football variation for athletes with a visual impairment.
- Amputee Football — a version of Association Football for players with lower extremity amputations.
- Wheelchair Rugby League — a version of rugby league football but played using a wheelchair
- Wheelchair Rugby — a full-contact indoor team sport conducted for players with disabilities
Related Pages
- About football (general)
- Sports for the Disabled
- Football Decoder — what is called football around the world?
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports