Wheelchair Sports Manitoba: Basketball Practicum For my eight hours practicum, I decided participate in wheelchair basketball. The program is organized through Manitoba Wheelchair Sport Association (MWSA), every Tuesday nights from 7pm-9pm at the Duckworth Centre of the University of Winnipeg. The program welcomes a variety of athletes of different ages and abilities. Attending the University of Winnipeg as a student athlete, there have been many sessions of wheelchair basketball after our practices. It was an interest of mine to find out about the adaptations one would have to make, in order partake in wheelchair basketball and, how it would compare to the game I was already accustomed to. This report will break down the details of program’s
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There are some areas that could be different to improve and benefit the program. First, structurally, the curriculum of the program needs reconsideration. I think there should more time dedicated to wheelchair specific skills and drills. According to the head coaches of the national wheelchair basketball team, they believe that the most important thing to teach a new player is about their chair and how it can be manipulated (Wheelchair Basketball Canada). It is important for players to know the mechanics behind hand positioning, turning, stopping, moving, and how to get most power generated when pushing the wheels. Hence, our group was not adequately educated in wheelchair awareness, which resulted in a disadvantage to the athletes. Furthermore, there should have be a breakdown component for newer players participating, where they can focus on specific components of the game such as form shooting, defense, offense, and dribbling fundamentals. Scrimmaging for five to fifteen minutes at the end of practice to implement the different skills that were emphasized during the drills that day was …show more content…
I believe that my interest grew from playing standing basketball where I was abled to compare and differ the two similar sports. The difference between both sports is evident and anyone can point that out but physically participating in wheelchair basketball was incredible. One significant thing I had learned was that accuracy is so important especially when it comes to shooting, passing, and dribbling. Another thing that I had learned was in order to do many of the skills that are required in wheelchair basketball because you were sitting you had to use muscles that you do not heavily rely on a daily basis. Although I felt soreness in my arms from shooting, dribbling, and passing the ball while being able to push my chair at the same time, it was greatly appreciated. Mentally, accurately selecting the appropriate passes was essential especially when in a wheelchair because the ball travels way faster when you are sitting in a wheelchair. Although the program is lacking a few key components, it still provides the opportunity and adequate adaptations to the athletes of a wide range of skills, body type, and cognitive abilities while increasing athlete’s self-esteem and sense of
There are some areas that could be different to improve and benefit the program. First, structurally, the curriculum of the program needs reconsideration. I think there should more time dedicated to wheelchair specific skills and drills. According to the head coaches of the national wheelchair basketball team, they believe that the most important thing to teach a new player is about their chair and how it can be manipulated (Wheelchair Basketball Canada). It is important for players to know the mechanics behind hand positioning, turning, stopping, moving, and how to get most power generated when pushing the wheels. Hence, our group was not adequately educated in wheelchair awareness, which resulted in a disadvantage to the athletes. Furthermore, there should have be a breakdown component for newer players participating, where they can focus on specific components of the game such as form shooting, defense, offense, and dribbling fundamentals. Scrimmaging for five to fifteen minutes at the end of practice to implement the different skills that were emphasized during the drills that day was …show more content…
I believe that my interest grew from playing standing basketball where I was abled to compare and differ the two similar sports. The difference between both sports is evident and anyone can point that out but physically participating in wheelchair basketball was incredible. One significant thing I had learned was that accuracy is so important especially when it comes to shooting, passing, and dribbling. Another thing that I had learned was in order to do many of the skills that are required in wheelchair basketball because you were sitting you had to use muscles that you do not heavily rely on a daily basis. Although I felt soreness in my arms from shooting, dribbling, and passing the ball while being able to push my chair at the same time, it was greatly appreciated. Mentally, accurately selecting the appropriate passes was essential especially when in a wheelchair because the ball travels way faster when you are sitting in a wheelchair. Although the program is lacking a few key components, it still provides the opportunity and adequate adaptations to the athletes of a wide range of skills, body type, and cognitive abilities while increasing athlete’s self-esteem and sense of