Looking to buy a basketball hoop? Whether it's in ground, portable, or wall mounted, here's what you need to know before you buy a basketball goal for your home.
2. Ready to Buy Your Basketball
Hoop?
There are a ton of makes, models, and
sizes to choose from. Here’s what you
need to know to make the best choice for
your driveway.
3. In Ground, Portable, Or Wall Mounted?
There are three kinds of basketball hoops. In
Ground, Portable, and Wall Mounted. Which
one you choose depends on your personal
needs.
4. In Ground
Like the name implies, these
hoops are cemented straight into
the ground. These are the
sturdiest type of basketball
hoops.
5. Portable Basketball Hoops
Rather than a cemented pole, portable
basketball hoops are weighed down
with a base filled with sand or water.
These systems are simple and easy to
install.
6. Wall Mounted Basketball Hoops
Wall mounted basketball hoops
are great when you don’t want to
deal with a pole at all. You just
need a good sturdy wall to install
it on.
7. The Nitty Gritty
Now that you have that decided, it’s time to
look at the parts of a basketball hoop and how
they affect the play.
8. The Backboard
There are four major basketball backboard
materials.
Molded Plastic
Acrylic/Polycarbonate
Glass
Steel
10. Acrylic And Polycarbonate
These are technically different
materials, but they’re very similar. This
is the very strong plastic material that
you will find on home basketball hoops.
11. Glass Backboards
Glass is the best material for
backboards, and the same material
you see on pro courts. However,
these boards are usually pricey.
12. Steel Backboards
In order to protect against
vandalism, you sometimes also
see backboards made of steel on
public courts.
13. Backboard Thickness
You should also pay attention to the
thickness of the backboard material.
The thicker the backboard, the
more sturdy it will be.
14. Backboard Size
The bigger the backboard on your basketball
hoop, the more pro-like it will be. Basketball
boards are measured in inches across. The
smallest are 48 inches, while real pro boards
are 72 inches across.
15. Basketball Hoop Pole
For In Ground and Portable Hoops, the
bigger the pole, the better. If you have
the option between a one piece pole and
a two piece, pick the one piece. It will be
more stable.
16. Offset
The “offset” is the distance between
the basketball backboard and the
pole, which can be between zero
and four feet. The bigger the offset,
the easier it is to play under the
hoop.
17. Adjustment Systems
Can you adjust your basketball hoop up
and down? Adjustment systems allow
you lower the hoop so younger players
can have fun on it. An adjustment
system is essential if you expect younger
players to play on it.
18. Portable Basketball Hoop Bases
If you are getting a portable
basketball hoop, check out how big
the base is. The bigger the base,
the more water or sand that the
basketball base will be able to hold.
19. Basketball Accessories
After that, you need to grab a ball, pole pads,
nets, and any other accessories you need to
have a good time on your home court.
20. Have Fun!
If you want to know more about basketball
hoops, including a breakdown of the major
brands, check out
basketballhoopbuyingguide.com