How Basketball 101 works

For the past 40 years, we at Sport Systems have dedicated ourselves to designing, manufacturing and installing industry leading athletic infrastructure and equipment. Over time, we have fielded thousands of questions from our wonderful clientele and found that time and time again, many of the questions people have when purchasing basketball equipment remain the same.

We found that in order to find the right basketball system, we typically have to answer the same core group of questions.

You’ll find them below along with the answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Here’s a quick selection of some of the most common questions we field on a daily basis.

Tips For Choosing A Basketball Backboard and Rim

This helpful article will help you through everything you need to know regarding your next purchase of a basketball backboard and accompanying hoop…Read Article

Should I purchase an Adjustable or Fixed-Height Basketball System?

If the basketball system will be used by younger players varying in age, an “adjustable” unit is a must. Only an adjustable goal system will adequately accommodate a variety of age groups. An adjustable goal system may also be desired by players who enjoy lowering the basket to dunk. If various goal height adjustments are not necessary, a “fixed-height” goal is the best choice. Most often this is the case when players are old enough to compete strictly at the regulation 10′ goal height. However, many of our “fixed-height” systems can be bolted together at heights lower than 10′ if required.

What is the regulation height of a basketball rim?

For high school, college and professional basketball, the regulation height is 10 feet to the topside of the basketball rim.

What is overhang?

Overhang with regards to a basketball system is the distance from the pole to the backboard, also known as “offset”.

Measuring overhang is an easy task to complete; make sure your rim height is at the regulation height of 10 feet, and hang a string from the back of the backboard to the ground. Simply measure the distance between the hanging piece of string to the in-ground pole and you will have your overhang.

How much padding do I need behind my basketball goals?

While there is no real regulatory body on this, we do recommend what the OPHEA authority states that there should be a minimum of 16’ W x 6’ H of safety padding behind each basket, while not being higher than 4” from the floor.

My facility hosts mainly children and younger players, what can I do if some participants have difficulty with the standard height of our basketball nets?

The newest addition to our basketball line is our Junior Jammer. This innovative product easily and quickly attaches to any previously installed basketball hoop and backboard and brings the basketball goal into play for younger age group.

The Junior Jammer is completely independent with its own backboard, rim and net. This product makes no use out of existing systems other than for quick attachment and bracing. The adapter is quickly secured to the rim of the existing basketball net using heavy-duty knobs and is equipped with a telescopic arm to help stabilize the smaller backboard in a vertical position.

In-Ground Basketball Systems

What are some of the factors I should consider when buying an outdoor in-ground basketball system?

Modern designs and models of basketball systems have evolved a long way over the years. Sifting through the sometimes overwhelming selection of pole sizes, backboard types, adjustments and other such features can leave most potential buyers a bit lost when trying to select the best system for their facilities unique needs…Read Article

What size of hole do I dig for an Outdoor Basketball System?

The recommended hole size is 16 inches in diameter and 42 inches deep. You will need approx. eleven 80-lb bags of concrete for the installation.

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTION: Before you dig, call your local utilities to rule out the presence of buried cables including power, water, gas and phone lines. Failure to do so could result in serious or fatal injury.

Maintenance

How do I clean and maintain my basketball system properly?

This guide will walk you through a few easy ways to ensure your basketball system is enjoyed by many for years to come…Read article

Mounting Solutions for Indoor Basketball Systems

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What configurations do you offer for ceiling-suspended basketball systems?

We design and manufacture a wide variety of brackets and utilize a number of installation techniques to ensure our basketball systems meet your facilities unique needs. Click here to read more.

What configurations do you offer for wall-mounted basketball systems?

We design and manufacture specialized wall-mounting options for basketball backstops, both stationary and those that easily can fold out of the way…Click here to read more