Backward Propulsion
Backward propulsion is used quite often in several wheelchair sport team games, such as wheelchair basketball and indoor wheelchair soccer. Backward propulsion allows the player to keep their body in a good position to see the court and the action taking place around them. This skill helps the player to maintain better control of their wheelchair and allows them to see dangers that could be avoided. The basic technique of this maneuver is a pulling type of motion.
To begin the backward propulsion maneuver, the student should be in the basic sitting position described for stopping the wheelchair. To initiate the backward propulsion, the student leans forward and reaches down on the handrims as low as possible, gripping the main tires. The student's shoulders should be directly over the hands and all joints involved with the movement should be in alignment (that is, wrist elbows, and shoulders). Next, the student uses short, quick pulls backward on the wheels making sure to keep the pulling movement symmetrical. Because the front steering wheels (casters are trailing, keeping the wheelchair under control is difficult so student shouldn't move too rapidly. As backward movement takes the student keeps their body weight forward and balanced over the knees. Make sure to instruct the student not to lean back too far as they initiate the pulling motion, as such movement could cause the wheelchair to tip over.