The Memphis Rollin' Grizzlies were founded in 2003 and they provide a way for those with disabilities to participate in sports. Recently, my class had the opportunity to go watch a Memphis Rollin' Grizzlies basketball practice. It was very interesting and unique learning opportunity!
The Rollin' Grizzlies are currently in the off season, so we watched the team scrimmage. I played soccer for 20 years, so I am very unfamiliar with the specifics of basketball, outside of your dribble with your hands and try to get the ball through the hoop. Prior to attending the practice, I read over some of the rules of basketball so I wasn't completely in the dark, but I learned at the practice that there are some slight differences between wheelchair basketball and able body basketball. For instance, in wheelchair basketball traveling is when you take two pushes or anything else that causes you to move. A player is out of bounds when any part of his chair goes over the lines. Players are also allowed to spend 3 seconds inside the paint, but if they are unable to get out because other players have blocked them in as long as they are making an effort to get out the refs will usually allow it.
Practice started and I was surprised at how physical the players were being with each other. There were a couple of times some players were knocked over in their wheelchairs! I was also amazed at the players endurance levels. They were able to play for almost an hour and a half with basically no breaks. After watching practice, some of the players allowed my classmates and I to get into their chairs and try to roll around and take a few shots. Our professor even took a couple shots!! We were also able to talk to the coach, who gave us some information on the players and their injury. As I was sitting at the practice, I couldn't help but wonder about the players outside of practice and how OT played into their lives. What did their homes look like? Were there stairs? A ramp? How independent were they able to be both in and outside of their home? Did they have jobs? What adaptive equipment did they need/use?
Overall, I would say that this was a great learning opportunity and a great way for the OT world to get involved with the community. I learned so much about basketball, specifically wheelchair basketball, and the Rollin' Grizzlies. Hopefully my class can convince our professors that we need to go back for another class session!
The Rollin' Grizzlies are currently in the off season, so we watched the team scrimmage. I played soccer for 20 years, so I am very unfamiliar with the specifics of basketball, outside of your dribble with your hands and try to get the ball through the hoop. Prior to attending the practice, I read over some of the rules of basketball so I wasn't completely in the dark, but I learned at the practice that there are some slight differences between wheelchair basketball and able body basketball. For instance, in wheelchair basketball traveling is when you take two pushes or anything else that causes you to move. A player is out of bounds when any part of his chair goes over the lines. Players are also allowed to spend 3 seconds inside the paint, but if they are unable to get out because other players have blocked them in as long as they are making an effort to get out the refs will usually allow it.
Practice started and I was surprised at how physical the players were being with each other. There were a couple of times some players were knocked over in their wheelchairs! I was also amazed at the players endurance levels. They were able to play for almost an hour and a half with basically no breaks. After watching practice, some of the players allowed my classmates and I to get into their chairs and try to roll around and take a few shots. Our professor even took a couple shots!! We were also able to talk to the coach, who gave us some information on the players and their injury. As I was sitting at the practice, I couldn't help but wonder about the players outside of practice and how OT played into their lives. What did their homes look like? Were there stairs? A ramp? How independent were they able to be both in and outside of their home? Did they have jobs? What adaptive equipment did they need/use?
Overall, I would say that this was a great learning opportunity and a great way for the OT world to get involved with the community. I learned so much about basketball, specifically wheelchair basketball, and the Rollin' Grizzlies. Hopefully my class can convince our professors that we need to go back for another class session!
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