4.5 point player
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4.5 point player is a disability sport classification for wheelchair basketball.
Contents
History
The classification was created by the International Paralympic Committee 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."[1]
Sport
This classification is for wheelchair basketball.[2] Classification for the sport is done by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation.[3] 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.[4] 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."[2] 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."[5] 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."[6] 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." [7]
Beyond 4.5
Beyond 4.5, there is sometimes used a 5 point player classification for abled bodied athletes.[7] The 5 point player is not recognised by wheelchair basketball's governing body. [6] There has been a push by the National Wheelchair Basketball Association 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.[8]
Strategy
4 point players and 4.5 point players receive less playing time than 1 point players because of their higher point value.[9]
Getting classified
Wheelchair basketball players who are going to compete at the 2012 Summer Paralympics 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’.[10]
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.[11]
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.[9]
Variants
Wheelchair Twin Basketball is a major variant of wheelchair basketball.[12] This version is supposed by the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation, [12] and played in Japan.[13] Twin basketball has a three-point classification system based on the evaluation of the mobility of people with cervical cord injuries. In this variant, the equivalent to 4.5 point players would be players without a head band. These players are "Players without a headband (no band players) - the players 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."[12]
Competitors
Australians Brad Ness, Troy Sachs and Justin Eveson are 4.5 point players.[14][15][16] Amber Merritt is 4.5 point player for Australia's women's national team.[17] Joey Johnson, Patrick Anderson and David Eng are a 4.5 point players for the Canadian men's national team.[18]
See also
External links
References
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