4.5 point player
Encyclopedia
4.5 point player is a disability sport classification for wheelchair basketball
.
and has roots in a 2003 attempt to address "the overall objective to support and co-ordinate the ongoing development of accurate, reliable, consistent and credible sport focused classification systems and their implementation."
. Classification for the sport is done by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation
. Classification is extremely important in wheelchair basketball because when players point totals are added together, they cannot exceed fourteen points per team on the court at any time. Jane Buckley, writing for the Sporting Wheelies, describes the wheelchair basketball players in this classification as players having: "These players have the least disability on court. Usually have minimal lower limb dysfunction or single below knee amputation. Normal trunk movements in all directions." The Australian Paralympic Committee
defines this classification as: "Players with normal trunk movement in all directions who are able to reach side to side with no limitations." The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation defines a 4.5 point player as "Normal trunk movement in all directions, able to reach side to side with no limitations." The Cardiff Celts, a wheelchair basketball team in Wales, explain this classification as, "(minimal disability) - able to move the trunk forcefully in all directions during shooting and passing Class 4.5 players can lean forward or to either side with arms overhead to grasp the ball and are able to push and stop the wheelchair with rapid acceleration and maximal forward movement of the trunk. Typical Class 4.5 Disabilities include : Single below-knee amputees. Some double below-knee amputees. Players with extensive orthopedic involvement of hips, knees or ankles. Post-polio paralysis with minimal (ankle/foot) involvement on one or both sides."
to allow for able-bodied athletes to compete in wheelchair basketball games. The argument is the sport is called "wheelchair basketball," not "disability basketball." Able bodied athletes, in a wheelchair, have the same functionality as 4.5 point players.
in this classification need to have their classification be in compliance with the system organised by the IWBF
and their status being listed as ‘Review’ or ‘Confirmed’.
In Australia, wheelchair basketball players and other disability athletes are generally classified after they have been assessed based on medical, visual or cognitive testing, after a demonstration of their ability to play their sport, and the classifiers watching the player during competitive play.
Once a player is classified, it is very hard to be classified into a different classification. Players have been known to have issues with classification because some players play down their abilities during the classification process. At the same time, as players improve at the game, movements become regular and their skill level improves. This can make it appear like their classification was incorrect.
. Twin basketball has three point classification system based on people with cervical cord injuries. In this variant, their equivalent to 4.5 point players would be players with out a head band. These players are "Players without a headband (no band players) - the play- ers possess good triceps, a good balance of the hand and some finger functions. They can score by shooting with a smaller and lighter basketball to the normal basket.."
and Justin Eveson
are 4.5 point players. Amber Merritt is 4.5 point player for Australia's women's national team
. JOEY JOHNSON, PATRICK ANDERSON and DAVID ENG are a 4.5 point players for the Canadian men's national team.
Wheelchair basketball
Wheelchair basketball is basketball played by people in wheelchairs and is considered one of the major disabled sports practiced. The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation is the governing body for this sport. It is recognized by the International Paralympic Committee as the sole...
.
History
The classification was created by the International Paralympic CommitteeInternational Paralympic Committee
The International Paralympic Committee is an international non-profit organisation and the global governing body for the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Paralympic Games and functions as the international federation for nine sports...
and has roots in a 2003 attempt to address "the overall objective to support and co-ordinate the ongoing development of accurate, reliable, consistent and credible sport focused classification systems and their implementation."
Sport
This classification is for wheelchair basketballWheelchair basketball
Wheelchair basketball is basketball played by people in wheelchairs and is considered one of the major disabled sports practiced. The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation is the governing body for this sport. It is recognized by the International Paralympic Committee as the sole...
. Classification for the sport is done by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation
International Wheelchair Basketball Federation
The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation is the international governing body for the sport of wheelchair basketball. IWBF is recognized by the International Paralympic Committee as the sole competent authority in wheelchair basketball world wide...
. Classification is extremely important in wheelchair basketball because when players point totals are added together, they cannot exceed fourteen points per team on the court at any time. Jane Buckley, writing for the Sporting Wheelies, describes the wheelchair basketball players in this classification as players having: "These players have the least disability on court. Usually have minimal lower limb dysfunction or single below knee amputation. Normal trunk movements in all directions." The Australian Paralympic Committee
Australian Paralympic Committee
The Australian Paralympic Committee is the National Paralympic Committee in Australia for the Paralympic Games movement. It oversees the means by which Australia participates at the Summer Paralympics and the Winter Paralympics.-History:...
defines this classification as: "Players with normal trunk movement in all directions who are able to reach side to side with no limitations." The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation defines a 4.5 point player as "Normal trunk movement in all directions, able to reach side to side with no limitations." The Cardiff Celts, a wheelchair basketball team in Wales, explain this classification as, "(minimal disability) - able to move the trunk forcefully in all directions during shooting and passing Class 4.5 players can lean forward or to either side with arms overhead to grasp the ball and are able to push and stop the wheelchair with rapid acceleration and maximal forward movement of the trunk. Typical Class 4.5 Disabilities include : Single below-knee amputees. Some double below-knee amputees. Players with extensive orthopedic involvement of hips, knees or ankles. Post-polio paralysis with minimal (ankle/foot) involvement on one or both sides."
Beyond 4.5
Beyond 4.5, there is sometimes used a 5 point player classification for abled bodied athletes. The 5 point player is not recognised by wheelchair basketball's governing body. There has been a push by the National Wheelchair Basketball AssociationNational Wheelchair Basketball Association
National Wheelchair Basketball Association is composed of 181 wheelchair basketball teams within twenty-two conferences. Founded in 1949 by Tim Nugent, the NWBA today consists of men's, women's, intercollegiate, and youth teams throughout the United States of America and Canada.The International...
to allow for able-bodied athletes to compete in wheelchair basketball games. The argument is the sport is called "wheelchair basketball," not "disability basketball." Able bodied athletes, in a wheelchair, have the same functionality as 4.5 point players.
Strategy
4 point players and 4.5 point players receive less playing time than 1 point players because of their higher point value.Getting classified
Wheelchair basketball players who are going to compete at the 2012 Summer Paralympics2012 Summer Paralympics
The 2012 Summer Paralympic Games will be the fourteenth Paralympics and will take place between 29 August and 9 September 2012. The Games will be held in London, United Kingdom after the city was successful with its bid for the Paralympics and Summer Olympic Games.Even though 2012 will be London's...
in this classification need to have their classification be in compliance with the system organised by the IWBF
IWBF
IWBF is an abbreviation for:* International Wheelchair Basketball Federation, governing body for wheelchair basketball* International Women's Boxing Federation, a sanctioning body for women's professional boxing, one of several including the WIBA, WIBF....
and their status being listed as ‘Review’ or ‘Confirmed’.
In Australia, wheelchair basketball players and other disability athletes are generally classified after they have been assessed based on medical, visual or cognitive testing, after a demonstration of their ability to play their sport, and the classifiers watching the player during competitive play.
Once a player is classified, it is very hard to be classified into a different classification. Players have been known to have issues with classification because some players play down their abilities during the classification process. At the same time, as players improve at the game, movements become regular and their skill level improves. This can make it appear like their classification was incorrect.
Variants
Wheelchair Twin Basketball is a major variant of wheelchair basketball. This version is supposed by the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation, and played in JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Twin basketball has three point classification system based on people with cervical cord injuries. In this variant, their equivalent to 4.5 point players would be players with out a head band. These players are "Players without a headband (no band players) - the play- ers possess good triceps, a good balance of the hand and some finger functions. They can score by shooting with a smaller and lighter basketball to the normal basket.."
Competitors
Australians Brad Ness, Troy SachsTroy Sachs
Troy Sachs is a wheelchair basketball player from Australia. He competed in the Paralympic Games in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008, where he won three medals...
and Justin Eveson
Justin Eveson
Justin Eveson is a swimmer and wheelchair basketball player from Australia who won a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Paralympics and the 2010 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship.-Personal:...
are 4.5 point players. Amber Merritt is 4.5 point player for Australia's women's national team
Australia women's national wheelchair basketball team
-History: Women's wheelchair basketball was first played at the 1968 Summer Paralympics in Tel Aviv, but Australia did not have a team that competed until 1992 in Barcelona....
. JOEY JOHNSON, PATRICK ANDERSON and DAVID ENG are a 4.5 point players for the Canadian men's national team.
External links
- Paralympic Classification Education Video by the Australian Paralympic CommitteeAustralian Paralympic CommitteeThe Australian Paralympic Committee is the National Paralympic Committee in Australia for the Paralympic Games movement. It oversees the means by which Australia participates at the Summer Paralympics and the Winter Paralympics.-History:...