Monday, October 9, 2017

Helpful Tips on Buying a Basketball Hoop

A new basketball hoop is a fun addition to your home. It will allow your friends and family to exercise while playing an exciting game of basketball. A hoop is an investment that should be considered carefully to satisfy your budget and situation. Here are some feature that you should consider.

Portable or Permanent
The decision to make the hoop permanent or not depends on your needs. If you do not have a lot of room and have to move the hoop around then you may consider a portable solution. This may require the help of an adult as the hoops tend to be weighted at the bottom to prevent tipping. This is not a great solution for teens that like to dunk the ball as there is less rigidity. Also if you live in an area prone to high wind then the hoop is at risk of damage.
If there is a location that will always be used for basketball then you may want to consider a permanent installation. More popular brands allow for semi permanent solutions where anchor bolts are cemented in the ground and the pole is secured on top. This is more desirable than sinking a pole in the ground, which requires a lot of work to disassemble.

Adjustable
Most backboards can usually be adjusted by a handle. Read reviews on how easy it is to adjust the backboard on the hoop as some may need the help of an adult. Smaller children will be able to shoot a ball between 6 to 8 feet. Children over the age of 9 can play at the regulation height of 10 feet.

Breakaway Rim
This simply means that the rim will flex if a overzealous teen does a monster jam. The feature prevents the rim or backboard from flexing too much and causing damage. It is a good option to consider if you have a lot of basketball fans in the family that like to recreate NBA highlights.

Pole Size
Width of the pole is not that important for portable hoops but is more of a factor in permanent installations. As with backboards, the larger the width then the more expensive the hoop. Higher priced systems have poles as large as 5 inches across. If you plan to have rough play then consider a wider pole. Some poles may come in two pieces and are considered less sturdy but will be more budget friendly.

Backboards
The type of material in the backboard can affect your budget as poly carbonate and acrylic tend be cheaper while tempered glass is more expensive. Poly carbonate and acrylic are clear and provide some rigidity. Tempered glass is higher quality, which provides the best rebounds.
As the size of the backboard increases then so does the price. Most backboards range from 32 to a massive 72 inches. I recommend keeping the size within the 50 to 60 inch range. The larger size will allow for more rebounds and less chasing after air balls.


Other Tips
  • Look for rust resistant coatings on all metal parts
  • Consider options such as pole and backboard pads
  • Multiple year warranties provide reassurance
Where to Buy
Silverback Basketball Hoops as pictured are sold exclusively on Amazon

Additional Information
Read my sporting goods review website for in-depth basketball hoop reviews.
There is a review of the best bang for you buck basketball hoop - Silverback SB60 Basketball Hoop - on my website. Please click the link in the article to read details.

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