Basketball is a popular game that brings a lot of fun, both indoors and outdoors. But to develop into a pro in the game, it’s paramount to begin training at an early age using the right basketball hoop system that meets the NBA standards. Installing a good basketball hoop on your small courtyard or driveway is a great way to begin, and your little ones can join in the fun as well. Or, you can purchase a
portable basketball hoop to begin with, to ensure it's really the sport for your child before investing in a full hoop system.
But, how do you identify the best basketball hoop for your small yard? For most basketball lovers, having the right accessories is a great consideration. A good hoop enables you to feel motivated and grow your passion for the game. On the contrary, practicing with poor quality equipment,
basketballs, or sporting gear results in discouragements and breakages. The market is saturated with a wide range of basketball hoops, but the qualities differ widely. Some cheap options are made from poor quality materials, making them quite unreliable.
Making a decision to purchase a basketball hoop not only brings excitement home, but also comes with enormous health and social benefits for your family. Research indicates that involving children in active sports at an early age improves their development, behavior, and social relationships. Most children enjoy engaging in sports and playing outdoors most of the time– it becomes even more fun when playing with their parents. Just be sure to buy them some good
basketball shoes to make their movements and jumps more precise.
Portable basketball hoops have transformed the sport, since you don't have to wait for your turn in a neighborhood court or drive long distances to the city court. You can take the game where you need it. We would advise that you go through the consideration factors before you make a choice on the right basketball hoop to take home.
Price
Just like any other consumer product, basketball hoops vary in prices depending on quality. Cheap basketball hoops often break quickly, and we don’t recommend such to our clients. You can expect to pay anywhere between around $20 and $200, depending on the features and materials they are made from. It’s always wise to begin by assessing your budget and deciding what you’re willing to spend on the basketball hoop, and then you can see which features suit your needs.
Each basketball hoop offers its own benefits and negatives, and you should know which features matter most to you. Sometimes the most expensive hoop may not necessarily be the perfect fit for your situation. Compare various components of the hoop system and find a product that best meets your needs.
Features
There are several features that make basketball hoops popular in most modern homes. Most models are upgradable, and you can purchase extra features at a later date. For instance, a spring-loaded breakaway rim can transform your gaming experience if your current model doesn’t have it. You can set them anywhere and on any surface in your front yard or backyard, or even in the driveway. If you’re living on a dead-end road, the cul-de-sac will provide a strategic point to mount your basketball hoop for the neighborhood kids to play.
The most critical feature to look for is the material that makes the backboard and the rim. The cheaper backboards are mostly made from polycarbonate due to its relatively light weight and durability. However, since the material is so light and soft, it doesn’t offer a good rebound response, and if you’re used to the high-quality indoor hoops, it won’t feel nice playing on such hoops. Additionally, polycarbonate backboards tend to discolor quickly when exposed to the sun.
Professional backboards are usually made from tempered glass, which is extremely hard and scratch-resistant. These backboards provide the best rebound response, and you won’t see any discoloration for many years to come. Perhaps the only downside of tempered glass is the weight. This is the reason most models come with very thin glass used on the moderately priced hoops (just a quarter inch in thickness). Top-notch basketball hoops have a thickness of about half an inch. A 72-inch backboard will weigh about 100 pounds, which can’t be fazed by the impact of any basketball, hence offering a great playing experience.
Construction and Design
All basketball hoop systems are comprised of a few standard components, and there will be variations among various brands depending on the component you’re looking at.
Hoop
This is the circular ring that the basketball goes through to score a basket. It’s generally made from metal–- specifically, steel. There are two basic types of hoops, namely the spring-loaded and the breakaway hoop. Both types can be easily detached from the backboard if you exert excessive pressure on the rim–– a feature that prevents damage to the backboard. A standard hoop measures 18 inches, with its thickness ranging between 5/8 and ½ inches.
Backboard
This is the part of the equipment where the hoop is attached. Backboards are made from a wide variety of materials and sizes. The standard professional dimensions of backboards are 45 to 50 inches. However, beginners can use boards as large as 72 inches. The materials used on backboards can be anything from resin to plexiglass, and can have a rectangular or fan shape.
Net
The net is attached to the bottom part of the hoop, and comes in several variations. The lengths usually range from 15 to 18 inches, with thread counts of between 30 and 120. They also come in different colors, ranging from pure white to blue and red.
Support Pole
The support pole provides the foundation for most basketball hoops, unless it’s a wall-mounted model. The pole provides stability, and some models will come with multi-piece support with the bottom pole being fixed in a 24-inch hole and covered with fresh concrete. Modern models come with anchor kits, which require digging up a 48-inch hole and covering it with concrete. It allows for later adjustment of the pole using anchor nuts on the J-bolts under the anchor plate.
Performance and Ease of Use
When choosing a basketball hoop, you should decide whether you want to permanently fix it on your property or you need something you can move with you every time you feel like playing. Portable basketball hoops provide the leverage to relocate your hoop to a convenient spot or carry it with you when you change towns. A portable hoop system provides the same fabulous features as its permanent counterparts, but with an added advantage of playing your favorite game without restrictions to a particular court or park.
Almost all basketball hoops now incorporate height-adjustable features. You can easily lower the rim to 7.5 feet, or even 5.5 feet with some models, making it possible for small kids to enjoy the game as well. But it’s important to note that the height adjustment mechanism also brings some instability. That’s why it’s important to consider the kind of players you’re planning to accommodate before you settle on a basketball hoop.
Basketball hoops will typically serve you for several years to come, provided you take good care of them. For instance, if you’re going to cover the bottom of your hoop with water and sand, consider adding antifreeze to the mixture as well to prevent freezing during winter.
We looked at brands that are well-respected in the sports community for quality and reliability. We compared prices with high-end construction to find an excellent option for any budget. Basketball hoops come in a range of sizes and may be in-ground, wall-mounted, or portable. With this fabulous list in hand, it’s time to go out there and pick a basketball hoop that suits your needs.
The kind of basketball system you'll buy may depend on the shape and size of your driveway. Whether you're looking for a net that stands on its own, installs in the ground, or mounts to the wall, these expert brands have options for you. Hopefully, we helped you find the best basketball hoop that will transform your driveway into a great gaming arena. If you didn’t get an ideal choice from our list, feel free to sample other alternatives from these respected brands.
