How To Play Wheelchair Rugby League

Wheelchair Rugby League is the most inclusive and accessible wheelchair sport in the world. It is the only version of Rugby League that is wholly inclusive and teams feature, men, women, wheelchair athletes and able-bodied players.

The sport was set up to improve the physical wellbeing of players who are unable to participate in the running game.

The game is unique in that it offers both disabled and non-disabled players the opportunity to compete against each other.

No matter what gender or age all players compete on level playing field which is created by the use of wheelchairs and some slight adaptations of the rules of Rugby League.

A Brief Overview Of The Game Includes:

* There are five players on each side

* The object of the game is to score tries

* Conversions are scored by punching the ball over the mini-posts from a tee

* Tackles are made in the same way as Tag Rugby by pulling off the attached tag

* Five tackles are followed by the handing over of possession

* Offside, knock-on and in-touch apply just like in the full version of the game

Who Can Play Wheelchair Rugby League?

The game shall be played by two teams each consisting of not more than five (5) players on the field at any one time. A maximum of two (2) non- disabled and three (3) disabled players are allowed on the field at any one time.

It is crucial to remember that Wheelchair Rugby League is not just a disabled sport but a sport in which disabled people can participate on equal terms with non-disabled people.

Basics Laws Of Wheelchair Rugby League

Wheelchair Rugby League remains faithful to the sport of rugby league, but obviously the use of wheelchairs requires that there are some changes to the rules by which the game is played.

This is a link to the full Wheelchair Rugby League International Rules, but the basic differences are as outlined below:

Basic Rules of Wheelchair Rugby League

Playing area – This should be a hard surface such as a sports hall, ideally 18-22 metres wide and

40-45 metres long.

Ball – A standard size 4 rugby league ball, slightly deflated to 6psi.

Players – Each team should consist of 5 players and up to 5 substitutes.

Kick-off – Should the ball bounce and go out of play, it is the receiving team who receive

possession, either near the touchline or with a central 8 metre restart if the ball went dead-ingoal. If the ball goes out on the full, it is a penalty on half way to the receiving team.

Play the ball – This is described in detail in the Attacking section of this handbook.

10 metres – the standard 10 metre measurement in rugby league such as 10 metre lines, 20 metre restarts and such are replaced by units of 4 metres. For example, in Wheelchair Tag Rugby League the defence retires 4 metres from the play the ball, a kick off must travel 4 metres, and so on.

Scrums – There are no scrums in WRL, they are replaced by a tap restart.

Kicking – All kicking is done by hand, utilising the top of a closed fist, with contact being made by the area around the thumb and forefinger.

Scoring – Points are awarded as per rugby league, with conversions / penalty goals being taken from an extended kicking tee, which must be no higher than the wheel of the kicker.

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