Exception for Wheelchair Foot Propulsion

Final text pending

A player unable to propel their wheelchair with one or both upper extremities is permitted to propel it using a single foot against the ground. In doing so, the player forfeits the right to utilize their upper extremities for the purpose of propulsion. Therefore, any upper extremity contact with any wheelchair wheel results in a fault. Additionally, even in accordance with this rule, a player’s foot may not be in contact with the ground upon the strike of the ball, and a player’s lower extremities may not contact any wheelchair wheel.

No existing rule

In order to implement the proposed rule entitled “Wheelchair-specific Faults”, which prohibits players in wheelchairs from touching the ground with their feet, this additional rule would need to be implemented as an exception for players with physical impairments which prevent them from propelling their wheelchair with their upper extremities.

This rule would apply to any player unable to utilize their upper extremities to propel their wheelchair. It serves as an exception to another proposed rule (Wheelchair-specific Faults) which prohibits a player in a wheelchair from placing a foot on the ground during a live rally.