Wheelchair Billiards

Sports and recreation should be for everybody regardless of age, sex, race, or even his disability. Wouldn’t you agree? Even non-profit international organizations have already been supporting disabled or handicapped sports fanatics. Fortunately, wheelchair pool is one of the most successful refashioned games in disability sport groups.

The National Wheelchair PoolPlayers Association or the N.W.P.A., is heading this special movement for physically challenged individuals to fully participate in the world of cue precision. Even the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPBA) has concurred with this special concern, and established a disabled division. Coping with the growing popularity of global billiard tournaments, international wheelchair competitions will have its share of wide acceptance from every billiard audience around the globe. In fact, the tournament held last September 2003 was covered by ESPN. Inherent in every popular game, are the top players that make the sport exciting to watch. In wheelchair pool, we have big names such as Cadillac Charlie, Kurt Deklerck, and Ken Miller.

As a new and special division in world billiards, wheelchair competition, with the help of the Billiard Congress of Americs, has now its own standardized rules:

"Effective July 1, 2000"
Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.
The International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF) is recognized by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA), the world governing body of pocket billiards, as governing all international competitions concerning wheelchair pocket billiards. The ISMWSF has adopted the rules of play within these pages except for the amendments, exceptions and alterations stipulated below.

CUE SPORTS CLASSIFICATION

There are two (2) categories or classes for those competing in wheelchairs, i.e.
1. Those players who meet the minimal disability and who are unable to make and sustain a functional bridge with their non-cueing hand.
2. All other players who meet the minimal disability who can make and sustain a functional bridge with the non-cueing hand.

DEFINITION OF MINIMAL DISABILITY IS;

1. Amputation above the ankle.
2. Decrease of muscle strength in one lower limb of at least 30 points.
3. Severe mobility problems comparable with handicaps under a) and b) of this section.

GENERAL RULES

1. Players must remain seated on the cushion or seat of the wheelchair when playing a shot. Should a players buttocks be clear of the cushion or seat when striking the cue ball, it will be deemed a foul.
2. Feet must be kept clear of the floor, should feet or foot-plates touch the floor when striking the cue ball, it will be deemed a foul.
3. Players in class 1 may request the Referee for assistance with rests and equipment etc.
4. Below the Knee strapping is allowed to keep feet on foot-plates. Strapping above the waist is not allowed except for medical reasons.