A wheelchair is an extension of the Body

2026 Rule:

25.A.4 Part of Body. A player’s wheelchair is considered part of the player’s body. The large rear wheels are treated like a standing player’s legs for positioning.

A player’s wheelchair is to be considered an extension of the body. All applicable rules are to be applied accordingly.

No existing rule

To establish a clear definition of the wheelchair as an extension of the player’s body. This rule has implications beyond existing rule 7.H. and likely warrants stand-alone inclusion in the rulebook rather than an amendment.

Rule would most commonly apply when:

• A ball strikes a wheelchair outside of the playing surface before it bounces, typically seen on a long serve.
• A player is near the NVZ, the ball strikes the wheelchair before or after the bounce, and the ball ricochets back to the opponents end of the court.
• A "two-become-one" scenario in which there is wheelchair-to-wheelchair or wheelchair-to-standing contact while either player is in contact with the NVZ at the strike of the ball.