The first thing about wheelchair basketball is that it is the same game as played by able-bodied athletes. Wheelchair basketball players set picks, run fast breaks, and shoot 3 pointers. With a few modifications, wheelchair basketball abides by the same rules as the stand up game, including court size, basket range and height, and lane violations.

Players are classified according to their level of ability. These classifications are then mixed so that any five players on the court will be level in their physical (if not basketball) abilities. Classification also encourages and extends the opportunities of participation to more individuals with severe disabilities. The higher the classification number, the less extreme disability.

While there is no double dribble, there is traveling. A player in possession of the ball may not push more than twice in succession with one or both hands in either direction without tapping the ball to the floor. Taking more than two consecutive pushes constitutes a traveling violation. A player may, however, wheel the chair and bounce the ball simultaneously just as an able bodied player runs and bounces the ball in stand-up basketball.

Although wheelchair basketball is a physical game and much contact occurs, it is not full contact. The wheelchair is considered apart of the player. General rules of contact in stand-up basketball (charging, blocking, etc.) apply to wheelchair basketball.