FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Quad Rugby
What is the difference between a quadriplegic and a paraplegic?
What are the rules of the game?
How many players and teams are there in the US?
Are there teams in other countries?
How old do you have to be to play?
Where do players get their chairs?
Have there been many injuries in the sport?
What is the best way to contribute?
Do you have a mailing list I can get on?
Can I donate to the Seattle Slam/Seattle Wheelchair Rugby Association?
Who can I call for further information?
Is there a question you would like to see answered here?
What is quad rugby?
- A fast paced, full contact wheelchair sport
- It's played indoors on a modified basketball court by individuals with some loss of function in three or four limbs.
- Also known as Murderball and Wheelchair Rugby, depending on where you are in the world.
Who can play?
Athletes with quadriplegia (also called tetraplegia).
- Players must have a neurological diagnosis, which affects at least three limbs, or a non-neurological condition that affects all four limbs, to be eligible to play.
- Disability groups found on the rugby court include quadriplegia secondary to spinal cord injuries C5-7, high-level paraplegia with a brachial plexus injury, Guillian Barre Syndrome, Post Polio, quad amputees, Cerebral Palsy, and many more.
- All players must go through a classification process to determine if they can officially play.
What is the difference between a quadriplegic and a paraplegic?
A person with quadriplegia is usually someone who has injured their cervical spine (neck), resulting in some loss of function in all four limbs.
A person with paraplegia is usually someone who has injured either the thoracic or lumbar portion of their spine (back).
A person with paraplegia will usually have full use of their arms, hands and sometimes trunk muscles.
A person with quadriplegia will usually lose significant function in all of these areas, depending on the level of their injury.
What are the rules of the game?
Click here for the basic rules.
Click here for the complete rules.
How are players classified?
Athletes are assigned a point value (class) under the guidelines set by the United States Quad Rugby Association (USQRA) classification system.
The point value assigned can be one of seven classifications:
.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, or 3.5.
These classes are determined through manual muscle testing and function based on neuromuscular potential.
How are the classes defined?
- 0.5 athlete usually has proximal weakness and no triceps. Functionally they move their chair with elbows out and limited wheel contact.
- 1.0 athlete has stronger muscles proximally, a more balanced shoulder, and can have limited triceps function. The 1.0 player has longer wheel contact, with elbows closer to the athlete's body.
- 1.5 class was created to handle those players who fall between the 1.0 and 2.0 classes or those players with stronger but not normal triceps in both arms.
- 2.0 athlete has more normal triceps function and more balanced wrist function. They have an effective chest pass.
- 2.5 class was created to handle those players who fall between the 2.0 and 3.0 classes, or who possess limited hand function bilaterally.
- 3.0 athlete has functional grasp and release, and significant hand strength.
- 3.5 class is the highest functioning class. These athletes can possess significant hand function and/or trunk function.
Any class, except .5, may have trunk function, which is added to the arm function point value, giving the athlete his/her final class.
Classification is based on function, not athletic ability.
2006 New rule: The USQRA reduced the classification of female rugby players by .5 points for classes 1.0 - 3.5. So a class 2.0 female athlete would play at the point value of 1.5. A class .5 stays the same class.
All female players on the court are afforded this classification reduction.
2007 New rule: The USQRA allows teams with one or more player(s) on the floor who are 45 years of age or older to have an 8.5 line up.
8.5 is the maximum line up regardless of the number of over 45 players on the floor.
Note: A female player is not eligible for both an age-related point adjustment and a female point reduction.
Who does the classification?
- Members of the USQRA classification committee.
- Physical therapists, occupational therapists, or medical doctors who are trained in manual muscle testing and have an understanding of the sport.
- Classifiers are required to participate in a classification workshop to learn the classification process.
How many players and teams are there in the US ?
Over 45 teams in the US.
More than 550 players that actively participate.
Are there teams in other countries?
- Called Wheelchair Rugby outside of the US.
- Currently played in over 24 countries.
- It's a Paralympic sport.
The Paralympics are the second largest sporting event in the world following the Olympics, and take place two weeks after the Olympics in the same host city and playing venues. Take a look at www.paralympic.org.
How long is the rugby season?
The Seattle Slam season begins September 1st and ends with the National Championships in April.
Where can I see some games?
Check out the Events section.
How old do you have to be to play?
- No age limit.
- Some players start in their early teens with their parent's permission.
- Some players continue to play well into their 50's.
Can women play?
Absolutely. Men and women to compete together on an equal basis.
How much does a chair cost?
New quad rugby chairs cost up to $5,000 each.
They are designed to either be an offensive or defensive chair, depending on the players' role on the team.
Where do players get their chairs?
There are two primary suppliers of chairs in the United States:Eagle Sportschairs and Vesco Metal Craft.
Slam athletes use chairs from both companies and a couple Slam players have new defensive RAM chairs from R&D Fabrication out of New Zealand.
However, some Slam players are using original All Night chairs - which badly need replacing! Please consider making a contribution to help us get them new chairs!
Have there been many injuries in the sport?
- The equipment is designed to reduce the risk of injury.
- Rules are in place to make the conduct of play as safe as possible.
- Although infrequent, players have fractured bones, and there are occasionally torn muscles, cuts and bruises.
What is the best way to contribute?
Financial contributions and sponsorship are always needed.
Equally important is the need for volunteers. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the sport. We need good people who want to make a difference.
We are now recruiting volunteers for the 2007-08 Battle in Seattle exhibition matches. To apply, contact Wimsey Cherrington (206) 650-4264.
Do you have a mailing list I can get on?
Yes, we do. Just enter your email address in the box at the top of this page and we will keep you informed.
Can I donate to the Seattle Slam/Seattle Wheelchair Rugby Association?
Yes! Like most non-profit organizations, money is scarce resource. The Seattle Wheelchair Rugby Association funds player clinics each year, hosts tournaments, travels to tournaments, buys equipment, parts, tools for the players, pays membership fees to the USQRA.
This is all accomplished on a shoestring budget, so we need your contribution.
Click on Contribute! to make a gift now.
Gifts of equipment and materials are also gladly accepted.
Who can I call for more information?
Call Jeremy Hannaford (360) 440-2498.
Is there a question you would like to see answered here?
Send an email to info@seattleslam.org with your question and we’ll try to add it in.