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Sports & Leisure

UCP’s Sports and Leisure Channel is designed for people with disabilities who are interested in sports and other leisure activities and proposes creative ideas for inclusive community recreation programs, including outdoor adventure activities for people with disabilities.

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Sports & Leisure

Sports & Team Games

Rugby

Quad rugby is a competitive game played with teams of four in which players attempt to maneuver the game ball over their opponents goal line while in possession of the ball. It is an exciting game with aggressive players and fast paced action. Offensive strategies are designed to exploit defensive weaknesses, which makes quad rugby a very interesting and competitive game. Defensive strategies involve blocking, forcing turnovers, intercepting or batting away the ball from the offensive team. Quad rugby is an official sport of Wheelchair Sports USA (WSUSA) and is played primarily by individuals who are spinal cord injured tetraplegics. Other eligible disabilities include cerebral palsy and individuals who are post polio.

BENEFITS OF PLAYING QUAD RUGBY

    Quad Rugby Players
  • Quad rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation.
  • Participation in an aggressive sport that combines strategy, power, and quickness.
  • Participation in a team sport. Increase cardiovascular endurance.
  • Increase upper body strength. Increase mobility skills.

QUAD RUGBY CLASSIFICATION

  • There are seven classification divisions based on functional ability that range in points from 0.5 – 3.5.
  • A player with a 0.5 classification has the most involved impairment and is similar in functional ability to a C5 quadriplegic.
  • A player with a 3.5 classification has the least involved impairment and is similar to a C7-8 incomplete quadriplegic.
  • The four players that comprise a team on the court may not exceed 8.0 in combined points.
  • There are approximately 50 teams throughout the United States.

GENERAL RULES

    Quad rugby player scoring.
  • Teams play four-on-four for two 20 minute halves.
  • A team scores by getting a player to cross the goal line (both wheels) while in possesion of the ball.
  • Only three defensive players are allowed in the key area at one time.
  • An offensive player may remain in the key area for only 10 seconds.
  • A team must inbound the ball within 10 seconds and advance it to half court within 15 seconds.
  • An offensive player must dribble or pass the ball within ten seconds of receiving it.
  • For more information on quad rugby rules, contact the United States Quad Rugby Association (USQRA) or refer to keyword: Quad Rugby.

THE QUAD RUGBY COURT

    Drawing of a Quad rugby court
  • Quad rugby is played on a regulation basketball court. Basketball courts are not damaged by quad rugby play due to chair design.
  • The key area is 8 meters in length and 1.75 meters deep and is directly in front of the goal line. Cones and tape may be used to designate areas on the court.
  • The scoring table is located at mid-court and outside of the playing area.
  • The substitution area is located immediately in front of the scoring table and outside the playing area.
  • The penalty area is located on the side of the court opposite from the scorer's table.

Trunk, waist, leg, and foot strapping are allowed in quad rugby depending on individual needs. Gloves and the use of taping at the forearms will prevent against skin abrasions.

EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS

Close up picture of rugby players. Balls USQRA, (561) 964-1712

Gloves Access to Recreation, (800) 634-4351

Quad Rugby Chair Manufacturers*

Invacare-Action, (800) 532-8677

Quickie Designs, (800) 456-8168

Eagle Sportschairs, (800) 932-9380

*Chairs are designed specifically for quad rugby and are very different from sports chairs used in basketball and tennis.

FOR MORE INFORMATION (see keyword: quad rugby)

USQRA*, (561) 964-1712

*Contact the USQRA for the following: coaches manual, classifiers manual, videos, newsletters, and team contacts.

WSUSA, (719) 574-1150

NOTE
The information provided here is offered as a service only. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, University of Illinois at Chicago, the National Center on Accessibility, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago do not formally recommend or endorse the equipment listed. As with any products or services, consumers should investigate and determine on their own which equipment best fits their needs and budget.

Source: NCPAD