[rue2you]

I have always been really active and always loved volleyball. I have seen people play wheelchair tennis and was wondering how you get started in that? I never played tennis before but always thought it looked like fun. Does anyone know if there are videos or something that would teach me how to play wheelchair tennis? Surely the rules are a little different than regular tennis so that is what I am wanting to learn. Anyone with expertise?

[AndrewB]

rue2you, on Oct 1 2009, 12:40 PM, said:

I have always been really active and always loved volleyball. I have seen people play wheelchair tennis and was wondering how you get started in that? I never played tennis before but always thought it looked like fun. Does anyone know if there are videos or something that would teach me how to play wheelchair tennis? Surely the rules are a little different than regular tennis so that is what I am wanting to learn. Anyone with expertise?

I've been watching instructional videos on youtube and playing with my buddy brent. there is no better way to learn than just playing.. plus sports are fun.

[Ratticis]

Only real difference in rules is you're allowed 2 bounces

[Denny]

Here is a page with Wheelchair tennis rules. W-Chair-tennis Rules.
Do you have a sports chair? Why not try Wheelchair Badminton. If you enjoy Volleyball you will sure enjoy Badminton. I used to play Volleyball before my injury, and found it easy to adapt to Wheelchair Badminton. Best of all you can join the able bodied club/friends (casual play) and easily participate in doubles game. Wheelchair Badminton Rules

When I get my own sports chair, I plan to try volleyball as well

[rue2you]

I do not have a sports chair which brings up a new question! Can you convert a regular manual into a sports chair - maybe not completely but safe enough to not tip. I have an Invacare A4 with a 3 degree cambor. Would wheelie bars and a greater cambor make it safe enough or...would you need the real back wheel that you see on sports chairs. I really can't afford a sport chair and really wouldn't play enough to make it a worthwhile investment. But...I am getting my new chair in a couple weeks so I wouldn't mind paying a little to convert. The badminton looks fun. I used to play that a lot too! I have been watching the YouTube videos and tennis looks harder than I thought and I can see why they would have to have something on the back to keep from tipping. I get tippy when I lean way back for a good stretch. I just didn't know if wheelie bars would be "safe" enough!

[Denny]

I have not seen any one convert regular chair, but I have plans to convert my Quickie GPV if I do not manage to get a real sports chair. Yes sports chairs are very expensive, I participate in games with Clubs sportschair, my own Sports chair will enable me to practice more and adjust chair to my liking My first tournament 2month after I started playing Photo1 Photo2

Wheelie bar can give enough stability to play badminton, though an active Anti tip is better. In a casual game you can play a lot without stretching far back or front. Make sure you test leaning forward with casters pointed backward as some wheelchairs tip forward when leaning forward. After few games you will learn what shots are safe to play, and what movements you can make safely.
Once a week I practice with my friends on regular wheelchair (none of us have wheelie bar) and we play shots mainly in front, and side. When the shuttle is behind we put body weight forward and hit shuttle by stretching only arm backward. With wheelie bar you will be able to play over head shots.

I have not seen the Invacare A4 chair, but searching on net I found following Document that indicate that you may have option to increase camber.

[rue2you]

We need to get PatD (freewheeler guy) and get him to invent an easy way for us to change our manuals into safe "casual" sports chairs. Denny, maybe we should start a new thread about this!

[twisted_ophelia]

As far as I know, tennis chairs (and basketball chairs, rugby chairs, etc) NEED a very big camber for stability and need something to prevent them from tipping. My rubgy chair has a small third wheel at the back. I have a picture of it on my facebook if anyone who is on my FB wants to see it. Those wheels are at major angles (camber). An SCI friend of mine here in TO plays a lot tennis and is also a paralympian. I can ask him about the tennis chair thing and the best way to learn. Someone will need to remind me to ask him though, I am forgetful.

Edited to add that the only way to change a regular chair into a sports chair with major camber is to have your rear axle replace for one that has the needed camber. I am not sure if the exact degrees but it's something like 15. 3 is not enough.

This post has been edited by twisted_ophelia: 10 October 2009 - 05:35 PM

[MichEE]

rue2you, on Oct 7 2009, 03:20 PM, said:

I do not have a sports chair which brings up a new question! Can you convert a regular manual into a sports chair - maybe not completely but safe enough to not tip. I have an Invacare A4 with a 3 degree cambor. Would wheelie bars and a greater cambor make it safe enough or...would you need the real back wheel that you see on sports chairs. I really can't afford a sport chair and really wouldn't play enough to make it a worthwhile investment. But...I am getting my new chair in a couple weeks so I wouldn't mind paying a little to convert. The badminton looks fun. I used to play that a lot too! I have been watching the YouTube videos and tennis looks harder than I thought and I can see why they would have to have something on the back to keep from tipping. I get tippy when I lean way back for a good stretch. I just didn't know if wheelie bars would be "safe" enough!

I can get you a tennis chair if you are serious. PM me with your contact information. I am in west Michigan not too far from you.

[rue2you]

I wrote you MichEE