Indoor Modified Football: Activity 6 Wheelchair Football

The following is part of a series of 6 different activities related to football, designed to be played indoors on a replica football field. These activities have been modified for students who are blind or visually impaired, including those with deafblindness or multiple disabilities.

Materials

2 – 4 large cones
7 footballs
kicking tee or small cone
clothes line or thin rope (optional) for trailing

Procedure

This activity can be completed by as few as 2 students and as many as 20 in relay fashion.

Large cones are placed along each yard line with a football resting on top. The aim of the game is to race against an opposing student to swipe, knock, or grab the ball from the top of the cone and place it in the “finish bucket”.

Depending on what goals the students are working on in their IEPs, the pace of the game can be slowed to accommodate the student. For example, if one student is working on strengthening their neck muscles, position them with the ball on their “weaker” side so they have to actively lift their head to view the ball. For students with low muscle tone, use the hand-under-hand technique to guide their hand to the ball and encourage them verbally to move their fingers to push it off. For a more challenging task, have students grab the ball with both hands, cross the mid-line and deliver the ball to the “finish bucket” on the other side. In relay scenario with multiple players, students can push their own chairs to the cones, push back to the start with the ball on their lap, deliver the ball to the finish bucket and then tag the next player to go.
For the second part of the lesson, to work on upper body strength, have students line up on one side of the goal and reach up to feel the crossbar. Students take turns to deliver balls over the field goal from the finish bucket. Provide as much assistance as needed (example: verbal cues, physical prompt at the elbows or hand under hand assistance). Once the ball has been delivered, encourage students to make the “field goal” sign with their arms or even come up with a celebration dance once students have completed the activity.