This is a brief overview of the sport and is in no way legally binding. In all cases the sport specific classification rules will take precedence. Should this page be out of date please contact classification@paralympic.org.

Eligible impairment types:

Impaired muscle power

Athetosis

Impaired passive range of movement

Hypertonia

Limb deficiency

Ataxia

Leg length difference

Sport classes:

There are two sport classes in sitting volleyball, called MD for “Minimally Disabled” and D for “Disabled”. The impairment of athletes in sport class MD is generally less severe than the impairment of athletes competing in sport class D.

For example, with an amputation through the foot a player would be classified as MD, whereas athletes with above knee amputations would be allocated sport class D. Impairments can affect the lower and the upper limbs, for example causing stiffness of joints or shortening of extremities.

Sport-Technical Rules

To ensure a fair competition between two teams, a team may only have one MD player on the court. The other five players must have sport class D.