Volt hockey is a competitive, adaptive team sport designed for individuals with physical disabilities, particularly those who use power wheelchairs. Players use specially designed motorized chairs equipped with paddles to maneuver a ball and score goals on a basketball court. To learn more about gameplay and the rules, visit our Gameplay and Rules & Regulations pages.

While volt hockey was originally created for individuals with muscular dystrophy and power wheelchair users, anyone with a disability that limits their mobility is welcome to play. There are no international guidelines or restrictions on specific disability requirements for tournament participation.

Players as young as 5 and as old as 40 have played volt hockey! The only requirement is the ability to safely drive a power wheelchair. Keep in mind that individual teams may have age requirements, so it’s best to reach out directly to a team near you for more information.

Each team requires:

• Volt hockey chairs (we recommend 8 per team)

• Batteries and chargers

• Volt hockey balls

• A rink boundary

• Two goals/nets

For a detailed breakdown, visit our Equipment page.

Here’s an approximate breakdown of the costs for starting a team:

• Volt hockey chairs: $8,000 each (customizations may increase this cost)

• Rink boundary: $3,700

• Goals/nets: $1,600 each

For a team with 8 chairs, the total cost is approximately $70,000.

Absolutely! Volt hockey chairs can be customized to meet a player’s specific needs. Some common adaptations include:

• Adding headrests or custom backrests for additional support

• Extra strapping around waists or legs

• Moving the joystick to a central position

• Attaching ventilators or other medical equipment to the chair

Although the USVHA does not perform adaptations directly, we can connect you with providers, physical therapists, and vendors who specialize in these modifications.

A gym or indoor basketball court with smooth flooring is ideal. The playing area for volt hockey is about the size of half a basketball court. Access to power outlets for charging chairs is also important. Most community centers or schools with indoor sports facilities can accommodate volt hockey.

Each team has 3 players on the court during a game, with 1–3 substitutes on the sidelines. For practices, we recommend having at least 6 players so that scrimmages can be held to simulate real gameplay.

Yes! Teams can participate in local scrimmages, regional games, and international tournaments.

Some notable tournaments include:

• The Volt Hockey World Cup in Gävle, Sweden (typically in September)

• The North American Volt Hockey Tournament in Toronto, Canada (held over Memorial Day weekend)

The USVHA is actively working to expand the network of teams across the U.S. to create more competition opportunities.

The USVHA provides guidance on starting a team, including:

• Resources for equipment and fundraising

• Assistance with connecting to adaptive sports organizations

• Help finding players, volunteers, and facilities in your area

We’re here to help you every step of the way!

There are several ways to raise funds, including community events, sponsorships, grants, and donations. The USVHA can provide tips and resources to get started.

For individual players, we recommend applying for grants like those from the Challenged Athletes Foundation and the Surfgimp Foundation, which have been especially helpful to players. You can also check out our list of grants for more opportunities.