Rules
Wheelchair handball is a fast-paced adaptation of handball for players with disabilities. While in many countries wheelchair handball also has a number of players who do not permanently use a wheelchair, at international level a minimum level of disability is required. To ensure a fair competition among players with different levels of disabilities, a classification system was introduced.
Wheelchair handball can be played in two formats, six-a-side and four-a-side. Traditionally, in Europe the six-a-side version was more popular before the IHF and EHF took the decision to focus on the four-a-side version at international level to increase the sport’s chances of being included in a future Paralympic Games.
Wheelchair Handball (four-a-side) is played in mixed teams with at least one woman on the field at all times. In four-a-side wheelchair handball a match consists of two sets: if both teams win one set (1:1), a third set is played to determine the winner. Wheelchair handball is a very fast and technically advanced game, allowing players to score two-point goals, e.g. by scoring a 360 degree spin shot or from one’s own goalkeeper area.
