Physical Impairment and Wheelchair Tennis

Coaching Tips Factsheet

What is a physical impairment?

A physical impairment reduces the mobility of a person and can bepermanent or temporary. Physical impairments include, but are notlimited to, the following:

Amputation Spinal cord injury
Cerebral palsy Muscular dystrophy
Multiple sclerosis (MS) Spina bifida
Brittle bones (osteogenesis imperfect)

General information

If a person with a physical impairment choses to use a sports chair theyare joining one of the fastest growing wheelchair sports in the world,wheelchair tennis integrates very easily with the non-disabled gamesince it can be played on any regular tennis court, with no modificationsto rackets or balls. Wheelchair tennis players are allowed two bouncesof the ball and can easily play against other wheelchair tennis players,as well as alongside or against non-disabled friends and family.

Did you know

Over 3.5 million people in Englandhave a mobilityimpairment(Sport England –Mapping Disability2016), however incomparison to thetotal number ofdisabled people thismakes up only 4%.
People who have aphysical impairmentcan choose whetherto play in a sportswheelchair or not(ambulantly).
Wheelchair playerscan compete innon-disabledtennis sessions andcompetitions, theonly adaptation isthey receive up totwo bounces of theball. Wheelchairs donot damage a courtsurface any more thanfootwear would do.

Player Pathway and competitions

There are opportunities for players to enter tournaments from beginnerlevel right up to the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour, where the world’s topplayers compete in three divisions - men, women and quad, which isfor those with a disability in three or more limbs. As well as a number ofevents in Great Britain on the ITF Tour, there is a National WheelchairTennis Series run by the Tennis Foundation open for absolutely anyonewho would like to compete.

To play in competitions and to be considered for the Tennis Foundationperformance and development squads you most have a medicallydiagnosed, permanent mobility-related physical disability, resulting in asubstantial loss of function in one or both lower extremities.

There is a player pathway from local sessions and beginner/improvercamps to national and international tournaments (Grand Slamsand Paralympics). For more information on the player pathway andcompetitionsplease visit For those who do not wish to use awheelchair they can follow the same pathway as non-disabled players.

Coaches’ corner

When coaching players with a physical impairment you should makesome adjustments to your coaching methods to suit their individualneeds, the STEP Principle is an ideal model to follow and this isdescribedin the below table.

Remember not everyone with a physical impairment will use orwant to use a chair in their daily lives or to play tennis. It’s importantto listen to their views and not force anyone into a sports chair ifthey do not want to use one. They can play ambulantly also.
Check participants’ range of movement as they may;for example, find it difficult to raise their arms above their head.
There is a common mis-assumption that if a person isa wheelchair user they cannot use or bear weight ontheir legs, this often may not be the case.
Participants may tire easily during a session due totheir lack of motor-skill efficiency. Participants may alsostruggle with temperature regulation – both hot and cold.
If transferring to a different wheelchair, participants shoulddo this independently or with the help of a parent/partner/friend/ carer, or with a trained individual.

Space/ environment / Tasks / Equipment/ rules / People/ communication / Safety
Are courts/facilitieswheelchairaccessible? Canwheelchairplayerscanget off courtin anemergency. / Can integratewithnon-disabledplayers(only difference isthebounces). / Specialisedtenniswheelchairs bothmanual and powered. / Recognise thatwheelchairplayershave differentabilities. / Get to knowyourindividual or groupto help assesstheir ability.
Is thereenoughroomfor everyoneto movearound? / Teach playerto pushand turn holdingthe racket. / Balls,rackets,courtsand scoring isthesame as non-disabled. / Don’t be afraid toask what playerscan and can’t do. / Take intoaccount anymedical orbehaviouralconsiderations.
Consider thesurface.Grass andcarpet aredifficultsurfaces topush awheelchair on. / Adapt thedrills youdo with non- disabledplayers andgive cleardemonstrat-ions. / Use regularequipmentsuch ascones,lines,targets, etc. / Try not to bepatronising andspeak downto a player.
Work in zones toenablepeople ofsimilar abilitytobe matched. / Considerchairmovementand turnsas part ofgameplayand tactics. / Can use amitt andno racket ifhavingproblemholdingracketand propellingchairat the same time. / Select team rolescarefully tochallengebut not frustrate.
Considersafety inmixed groupsofnon-disabledplayers andwheelchairusers. / Larger,lowercompressi-on ballsand smallerracketsmay helpbeginners.

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Contact us for more info

For further information onwheelchair tennis please contact theTennis Foundation team:

Email:

Call: 084587 20522

Visit: please visit