5 Things to Know Before Buying a Basketball Hoop
August 17,
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CLEARFIELD, UTAH &#; Playing basketball outside is a great way to have fun, burn calories, and improve coordination. But, purchasing a residential basketball hoop can be overwhelming and confusing. Whether you plan to shoot hoops for fun, play competitive games of 3-on-3, or practice team drills, these quick tips will help you decide which hoop is right for you.
1. Determining Your Basketball Hoop Location
Before you buy, make sure you have ample space to play. A large, flat, paved surface like a driveway is ideal. Keep in mind it is unsafe (and often illegal) to place a basketball hoop on a street or sidewalk. Whether you have the space in your driveway or backyard, location is going to be the first place to map out when determining the best hoop for your home.
2. Portable Basketball Hoop or In-Ground Basketball Hoop
Now that you have a location, it&#;s time to evaluate whether a portable or in-ground basketball hoop is best for that space. A portable basketball hoop has a large plastic base with wheels that provide the flexibility of rolling it to a different area. If you determined you&#;d like more flexibility with location, a portable hoop gives you the option to easily move your hoop. It is also easier to take with you to a new home if you ever decide to move.
In-ground basketball systems take up less ground space and provide more stability for aggressive players. There are several different options for in-ground systems. You can either cement the pole directly into the ground, use a ground sleeve for your system, or opt for a bolt-down system. Opting for a ground sleeve or a bolt-down pole will make it easier to remove the system and move it in the future. This is a great option for those who move to new homes but want to keep their basketball hoop when they do so.
3. Backboard Material
Once you have settled on the location and type of hoop, it&#;s time to determine the specifics for the hoop to find the appropriate level for the player. Lifetime has a large variety of backboards available for any skill level. Impact backboards are ideal for young players who are learning to play basketball. Shatterproof Fusion&#; and Acrylic Fusion&#; backboards are virtually unbreakable and are great for beginning to intermediate players. They can be a great long-term option through childhood.
Lifetime also has many options for intermediate to advanced players. The Shatterproof V-Framed, Shatterproof Steel-Framed, and Acrylic Steel-Framed backboards give a much more professional look and feel. If you want arena-style performance, Tempered Glass backboards give you professional quality for advanced players. Determine the level that best suits the players in your household, and you can enjoy your hoop for years.
4. Backboard Size
There are different sized backboards that cater to players at different levels. For kids, 32-inch backboards provide a great foundation for learning the game. 44-inch backboards are excellent for young players learning to shoot. Young teens practicing drives to the basket and a wide range of bank shots will benefit from the rebound space of a 48-52" backboards.
For more advanced players looking for realistic arena-styled play, larger backboards can provide that type of playing surface. Large 54 to 60-inch backboards and regulation sized 72-inch backboards give players a surface designed for high level play.
5. Height Adjustment Mechanism
All Lifetime Basketball Hoops come with height adjustment mechanisms. While some are designed for shorter, more child friendly heights, the majority can be raised from 7.5 feet to the regulation height of 10 feet. Some hoops raise and lower in 6 inch increments, but others give you the ability to raise and lower the hoop in infinite increments. The biggest advantage of height adjustment is having a hoop that grows with the player. As they develop their skills, they can raise the hoop and continuously challenge themselves to improve.
Find Your Basketball Hoop Today
As soon as you begin your search for a basketball hoop, you&#;ll soon realize there is no shortage of brands and models available. Whether you&#;re a first time buyer or or looking to replace an existing system, here are some key factors to keep in mind when buying a basketball hoop:
Installation Type
This one of the primary factors to consider when purchasing a basketball hoop. There are 4 main basketball goal installation types.
The Backboard
Backboard Size
The size of the backboard is another important factor to consider when buying a basketball hoop. The most common sizes you&#;ll find are 54&#;, 60&#;, and 72&#;. This refers to the width of the backboard. The heights will vary also, depending on the model.
Regulation backboard size is 72&#;x42&#;. If you are purchasing a hoop for an aspiring high school or college athlete, or if you just want the most authentic, arena-like experience, the 72&#;x42&#; is the way to go. If you don&#;t need a goal quite that big, the 60&#; hoops are great mid-size hoops and the most popular choice for residential use. 54&#; goals are more common for smaller driveways that don&#;t have as much space to accommodate a larger hoop. For more info on finding a backboard size that fits your space, check out What Size Backboard Do I Need?
Backboard Material
Along with backboard size, you&#;ll want to consider backboard material. You&#;ll typically find basketball hoop backboards in one of 3 materials: Polycarbonate, Acrylic, or Tempered Glass
Polycarbonate backboards are made from a clear plastic material. They are often used on cheaper hoops because while they are very strong, the polycarbonate material has one major drawback; after prolonged exposure to UV light (aka sunlight), these backboards begin to turn an unflattering shade of cloudy yellow and become brittle. This can happen in as little as 3-5 years.
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Acrylic is similar to polycarbonate in that it is a strong, clear backboard material. Unlike polycarbonate, however, acrylic will not become cloudy, yellow, and brittle over time. Acrylic maintains its brilliance after 15-20 years of sun exposure. It&#;s also very strong and unlikely to chip or crack, even if someone were to throw stones at it.
Tempered glass backboards are what you&#;ll find on pro-style hoops and in high school, college, and NBA arenas. The backboards are made from a safety glass that is hardened in the production process, making it 5-10 times stronger than normal glass. Tempered glass provides the most rigidity and better, more consistent rebounding across the glass.
For more a detailed analysis, check out Tempered Glass Backboards VS. Acrylic Backboards.
The Rim
Rim Material
The rim of the basketball goal should be made of steel to ensure strength and stability. The rim should be at least 19mm thick. Thinner rims may seem more cost-effective initially, but are prone to bending and even breaking over time. This means a lower quality rim could also pose a safety hazard. For outdoor hoops, we recommend a rim that is finished with a weatherproof paint to reduce the risk of rust.
Rim Suspension
In addition to rim material, you&#;ll also want to pay attention to the spring or suspension system of the rim when buying a basketball hoop. There are 3 basic types of rims: Static (or standard), Exposed Spring Breakaway, and Enclosed Spring Breakaway.
Static or standard rims have no spring, meaning the rim cannot flex. This puts added pressure on the backboard and is not ideal for dunking since the extra pressure can cause the backboard to shatter. The cheaper version of these rims are typically found on portable basketball goals which are not meant to be dunked on. Sometimes they are found on higher end goals, for example a commercial application where they are looking to deter dunking. Goalsetter even offers a double ring static rim that is considered extremely durable for commercial applications.
A breakaway rim, on the other hand, contains a hinge and a super strong spring (or springs) at the point of attachment to the backboard. This allows the rim to bend downward and then snap back into place when a player dunks on the goal without affecting the backboard. Exposed spring breakaway rims are open underneath with the springs exposed (hence the name). This is not preferred for outdoor use since exposure can lead to rust. Goalrilla carries both a medium weight and heavy weight flex rim.
Enclosed spring breakaway rims have the spring fully enclosed, making it the ideal choice for longevity of outdoor use. This is the type of rim found on pro-level hoops, and is what you&#;ll find on every Goalrilla goal.
Net Material
The net attached to the rim serves two primary functions. It provides a clear indication to players, referees, and spectators when a basket is made. It also slows the ball&#;s trajectory as it passes through the hoop and guides it back down toward the court (ideally straight underneath the rim).
Basketball nets can be found in a variety of materials. For outdoor play, we recommend a nylon net because they are incredibly durable and made to withstand the harsh weather elements of snow, rain, and wind.
Height Adjustability
Height adjustability is an important consideration, particularly when buying a basketball hoop with younger players in mind. Goals that can be adjusted lower make the hoop accessible for younger children, or players who simply desire a lowered rim. Look for a goal that includes a removable actuator handle so you can lock the height in place and prevent unwanted height adjustments.
ASTM standards dictate that a hoop should NOT lower beyond 7.5&#; for safety reasons. If 7.5&#; isn&#;t quite low enough for your little ones, consider an add-on like the Silverback Junior Basketball Hoop &#; a smaller backboard that mounts directly to the post of your full-size hoop. That way, everyone can get in on the fun while staying safe. For more info, check out our article that goes over the dangers of lowering below 7.5 feet in detail.
Warranty
Before purchasing a goal you&#;ll also want to research the type of warranty included. Is it a 1-year? 5-year? Lifetime? Pay attention to which parts are warrantied and for how long. This will give you a good indication of the quality of the goal and its intended longevity. Goalrilla goals, for example, include a limited lifetime warranty because the goals are intended to last for as long as you own them.
Manufacturer
What&#;s in a name? Well, a lot, as it turns out. The most well-known brands are household names for a reason. It takes years of product development and testing to build consumer trust. If your eye is caught by an ad for a basketball hoop from a brand you haven&#;t heard of, do a quick web search to see what (if anything) other people are saying about them. Remember the old rule of thumb &#; if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
If your eye is caught by an ad for a basketball hoop from a brand you haven&#;t heard of, do a quick web search to see what (if anything) other people are saying about them. And remember to be leery of reviews that are only from their website and not from an approved third party application like Shopper Approved, which is one of only a handful or merchant reviewers to be syndicated by Google&#;s trusted network of providers.
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Choosing the Right Basketball Hoop to Buy
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