Power soccer is considered to be the first team competition sport that is geared toward users of motorized power wheel chairs.

It was developed in the 1970s in France and started to gain popularity in the U.S. in the 1980s and is more popular now than it has ever been. In order to play, participants must be in a power chair.

Some players use jazzy power wheel chairs, but most brands and models are acceptable. A specially-designed bumper called a soccer guard is temporarily attached to the footplates of the chair to aid in kicking the ball, protecting the players’ feet and protecting the wheel chair from damage.

All power chairs, even jazzy power wheel chairs require this kind of protection equipment.  People who participate in power soccer are confined to their chairs for a number of reasons:

• muscular dystrophy
• (MS)...
• spinal cord injury
• stroke...
• and other disabilities.

By combining the maneuvering skills of the wheel chair user and the speed of the chair, power soccer takes on all the characteristics of traditional soccer and allows men and women of all ages to experience the thrill and challenge of this team sport. 

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The game is typically played in a gymnasium on a regulation-size basketball court. Two teams of four are on the ‘field’ at all times attacking, defending and ‘kicking’ an 18-inch soccer ball. Kicking is accomplished when a player quickly turns their chair and uses their soccer guard to ‘kick’ the ball.  

The object of the game is the same as traditional soccer – to maneuver the ball and score on the opposing team’s goal. A game consists of 25-minute halves with each team being allowed two time-outs. If, during the course of play, a player’s equipment beaks down, play is continued provided the safety of the players is not in jeopardy. During the next break in play, the referee will allow a two-minute time-out for the repairs.  
 

Power soccer rules state that the ball must be moved by a player’s wheelchair and not by the player’s feet or any other body part. If the ball accidentally touches a player’s feet or hands, there is no violation. When a player intentionally touches the ball with their hands or feet during a game, it is considered a ‘hand ball’ violation.  
 

Another important rule in power soccer is the back-up rule. Power soccer players other than goalies are not permitted to move their motorized power wheel chairs in reverse. If a player moves in reverse, their team is charged with a backing up violation. 
 

Most areas of the country are providing more and more, opportunities for people in motorized power wheel chairs to participate in sports activities. Yet, wheelchair sports like power soccer offer an excellent environment for building self-confidence, and teamwork. And with the sport’s growing popularity, more opportunities for people to play power soccer will become available. In fact, the National Disability Sports Alliance recently included power soccer as an official sport. 
 

Some popular power soccer teams include the Tampa Thunder, Circle City Rollers and the Atlanta Synergy all of which are part of the United States Power Soccer Association (USPSA).

Outside the United States, there is a World Cup championship and the US National Power Soccer Team won the very first championship held in Tokyo Japan. 
 

You can learn more about the popular sport of wheel chair soccer by visiting the United States power Soccer Association (www.powersoccerusa.net) or the Unite States National Power Soccer Team (www.powersoccerteamsusa.net).

About The Author:
Jason Pedley is a successful author and regular contributor to disabled-mobility-scooter.com