Why wheelchair basketball is so hard
Why is wheelchair basketball so hard? As a player I think it's harder then regular basketball. I may sound biased when I say this, but after you read this you might agree with me. Wheelchair basketball has the same rules as regular basketball. Same court, same, basket height and same size ball. The only difference is for every two pushes we dribble and the wheelchair is part of our body when it applies to contact. For instance if your going down the court and slam into a defender that's called a charge. Those two rules are basically the only rules that are different from regular basketball. So why do I think it's harder. I think the main reason is because wheelchair basketball players focus more on teamwork.
In regular basketball, players can do a lot more moves than we can. They can jump, side step, and run faster. We have to rely on our teammates to help block for us to get a shot off. We do more picks and screens then regular basketball. Don't get me wrong can some players go one on one and make a defender look silly, absolutely, but it's a lot harder. We have to know our teammates, and their disability's. Some of my teammates can't bend over far so I have to know how to throw it to them right. Some of my teammates are better at ball handling then others. When we substitute in a game we all have to adjust of how we play the game to the new guys strengths and weaknesses.
There's a lot more risk of injury playing wheelchair basketball. You're body wasn't made to push a wheelchair. Especially not like we do. It's common to tear your shoulder or mess up your elbow. Even if you play for years and then retire you will feel the wear and tear the game has done to you and you will have to deal with that for the rest of your life. We don't shy away from contact. A lot of people that watch the NBA comment that a defender barely can look at the opposing player and the flag will be drawn. Sometimes we get hit and fall over and the ref won't draw the flag.
My final argument is this. During the season sometimes we let regular people mess around with us during practice. So we can show them what it's like. Before I got on the team we used to do it with the spurs. So we would teach them the basics and play a game with them. My teammates
said they loved how the Spurs players realized how hard it was and how much they respected my teammates afterword. The NBA Spurs said that. If that doesn't convince you I don't know what will. During my time on the team we have done demos with other people and they all had the same reaction.
In regular basketball, players can do a lot more moves than we can. They can jump, side step, and run faster. We have to rely on our teammates to help block for us to get a shot off. We do more picks and screens then regular basketball. Don't get me wrong can some players go one on one and make a defender look silly, absolutely, but it's a lot harder. We have to know our teammates, and their disability's. Some of my teammates can't bend over far so I have to know how to throw it to them right. Some of my teammates are better at ball handling then others. When we substitute in a game we all have to adjust of how we play the game to the new guys strengths and weaknesses.
There's a lot more risk of injury playing wheelchair basketball. You're body wasn't made to push a wheelchair. Especially not like we do. It's common to tear your shoulder or mess up your elbow. Even if you play for years and then retire you will feel the wear and tear the game has done to you and you will have to deal with that for the rest of your life. We don't shy away from contact. A lot of people that watch the NBA comment that a defender barely can look at the opposing player and the flag will be drawn. Sometimes we get hit and fall over and the ref won't draw the flag.
My final argument is this. During the season sometimes we let regular people mess around with us during practice. So we can show them what it's like. Before I got on the team we used to do it with the spurs. So we would teach them the basics and play a game with them. My teammates
said they loved how the Spurs players realized how hard it was and how much they respected my teammates afterword. The NBA Spurs said that. If that doesn't convince you I don't know what will. During my time on the team we have done demos with other people and they all had the same reaction.
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