The Dangers of a Portable Basketball Hoop

Purchasing a basketball hoop for your home is an exciting occasion, as you envision endless days of shooting hoops with your friends and family. However, one thing many people don’t realize is the dangers that are posed by purchasing low-quality, portable basketball hoops for their driveway or backyard.

Every year, several children across the United States are killed and many more injured while playing on a portable basketball hop. From falling hoops to the limited space it offers, a portable hoop is not the best option when it comes to safety. A professional-style, high quality basketball hoop not only offers a more authentic playing experience, but it prevents serious injury.

Portable Hoops Fall Over Easily

The most clear disadvantage of a portable basketball stand is their propensity for toppling over easily. Whether from an attempted dunk or simply a gust of wind, the hoops pose a serious risk when they come down.

Many children are injured, some fatally, when basketball hoops fall on top of them. Especially with the adjustable models which can be lowered to a height where kids can reach the rim, often times when they want to emulate their favorite star by slamming the ball, they can take the entire unit down with them.

The combination of a heavy metal pole, a thick rim and a strong backboard can cause serious damage when coming down at a rapid pace. Cuts, bruises and head trauma are just a number of injuries that regularly occur every year from falling portable basketball hoops.

No Overhang, Lots of Danger

The optimal amount of overhang for a basketball hoop is at least 4 feet, however the portable versions usually have the pole directly under the backboard. This creates virtually no overhang and a strong possibility of players running into the pole.

As players drive to the hoop or battle for rebounds, they are susceptible to colliding with their pole, risking head, shoulder and knee damage as their momentum carries them into the hard metal. Without overhang, players have absolutely no chance to react when bludgeoning towards the base, drastically increasing instances of injury.

Sprained and Twisted Ankles

Portable basketball stands are a hotbed for rolling ankles for two reasons. The first is that as mentioned above, with the pole directly under the hoop, players have no room to position themselves safely. As they constantly jump under the basket, they have a high risk of landing on another player’s foot, which can cause a sprain, twist or even a broken ankle.

The second reason is that the large base is right under their jumping radius. Especially when a player is running at a high speed towards the hoop, they have the possibility of stepping on the base once they complete the layup or block. As many bases are large and bulky, they are extremely hard to avoid and players may also trip over them, causing other injuries as well.

Heavy Bags and Cinder Blocks are Not Safe

To combat the possibility that a portable stand may fall over, many owners place cinder blocks or heavy sand bags on them in an effort to increase “safety”. However, all this does is replace one safety issue with another, as the heavy, hard and sharp-edged bricks only add to the immediate dangers surrounding the hoop.

As mentioned above, the base of the basketball pole is already a dangerous piece of equipment that can easily be ran into or tripped on. The addition of cinder blocks means that if a player runs into the base, the danger is seriously increased. Replacing one issue with another does not equal an upgrade in the safety department.

Adding Sand or Water to the Base

Although better than placing large bricks on the base to keep it stable, adding sand and water do not necessarily make the basketball stand better. As the sand is placed inside, it makes the base extremely hard and offers little give, so any collision can do serious damage to the player. Furthermore, once you add sand, the base is not portable as it is far too heavy to move, making it more effective to purchase a professional grade hoop from the start.

Adding water also makes the base very hard, but it offers another issue, as well. During the winter, the water usually freezes and then cracks the base, adding the danger of sharp, broken plastic to the potential dangers directly under the rim.

Stay Safe with a Quality Basketball Hoop

If you are serious about having an amazing basketball experience and keeping your family and friends safe, then you are far better served to invest in a proper hoop. With adequate overhang, a solid structure and no dangerous base immediately under the basket, you can avoid many of the unnecessary injuries that occur.

The basketball court building experts of My Backyard Sports are always available to help you choose the perfect hoop for your home court. Contact Us Now to chat with our experienced team and get insider tips on the selecting the best basketball setup at a great price!

When buying a basketball goal for your family's home, it's important to understand the two most popular options of hoops and learn the advantages and disadvantages of each when considering your needs. We'll break down the differences between in-ground basketball goals and portable basketball goals to help you make the best decision.

The three main differences between a portable goal and an in-ground goal are safety, durability, and mobility. Because a portable hoop isn't installed into the ground with concrete or an anchor kit, there is a risk the unit will tip or fall over with aggressive play. If your players enjoy action-packed play, it may be best to look at in-ground basketball goals as an alternative.

Another key difference is durability. If your players are looking to replicate the gym experience at home in the driveway, they'll want to choose an in-ground basketball option. Because portables aren't directly installed into the ground with concrete and their bases are filled with either sand or water, this creates instability. In-ground hoops feature glass backboards that simulate a collegiate or NBA basketball experience while portable hoops are unable to support the weight of a glass backboard. Instead, portables utilize a lighter polycarbonate or acrylic backboard, which sacrifices consistent rebound and playability. Because of these important differences in material, the average lifespan of a portable is only two to five years. According to our research, consumers who purchase a portable often purchase another portable at a later date — whereas consumers who purchase an in-ground often never purchase again. If you believe that your basketball unit will have infrequent and short-term use, it's best to consider a portable goal.

Lastly, another key difference is mobility. If you need to move your hoop around your driveway or into the garage, perhaps you're considering a portable design. It's notable although most portable hoops can be moved from one spot to another, most stay stationary throughout their lifetime because of their more economic materials. The base is often the first piece to fail causing homeowners to look for an alternative to weighing their hoop down. Once bricks or sandbags are added to the top of the portable's base, the hoop's mobility becomes increasingly difficult to achieve. Although immobile, in-ground hoops with an anchor kit have the option to unbolt and remove the hoop in case you need to move homes or the hoop itself. You will simply buy another anchor kit and install it before bolting your existing basketball goal on top again.

Advantages of an In-Ground Basketball Hoop:

• Backed by a much longer warranty because of the higher quality materials
• In-ground goals will stand firm during aggressive play, high winds, extreme weather, and more keeping the rim and backboard undamaged
• Can be used for higher quality of play without worry of the unit falling and hurting someone making these safer
• Athletes do not have to hold themselves back with concerns of hurting the basketball goal
• Extremely well made for a much longer lifespan than portable hoops
• Compatible with many training accessories such as a pole pad, hoop light, or Yard Guard to get the most out of your court
• Replicates the gym experience in your driveway and plays similar to collegiate or NBA-style hoops
• Takes up very little ground space compared to a portable goal
• Aesthetically pleasing and increases the curb appeal of your home
• Large glass backboard for consistent rebound and playability
• When installed with an anchor kit, you have the option to unbolt and move it with you to your new home

For more information to consider, visit our basketball hoop buying guide here.

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Do you want to shoot some hoops in your backyard/garage? Getting the right basketball setup is essential. You have to opt for a durable setup, which compliments your decor and delivers the promised performance. Before choosing any basketball hoop, you must consider several factors. One of the most important elements is the material you select for the backboard.

You want your backyard hoop to be equally effective in a school basketball ground, right? Anyone shopping for a high-end basketball hoop would likely come across two materials: Acrylic and tempered glass backboards. You might be wondering, “What’s the difference?” Well, there is a distinction! Let’s dive into it and explore which option is more suitable!

What are Tempered Glass Backboards?

The backboards of basketball goals used in high schools, colleges, and professional games are often made of tempered glass panels. If you’re used to regular glass, you might be surprised by how different tempered glass is. The procedure of tempering traditional glass makes it more durable and strong. When compared to annealed glass, the toughened glass panes are far stronger.

Well, being the most popular choice, tempered basketball backboard glass is a pricey opt as well. Most educational institutions, including universities and secondary schools, employ tempered glass panels for backboards. Tempered glass backboards are also commonly used in NBA games. Due to its widespread adoption by professional organizations, tempered glass has become the “official” backboard of sanctioned games. The only problem with tempered basketball glass backboards is that they don’t last as long as acrylic or polycarbonate.

What are Acrylic Glass Backboards?

Basketball backboards made of acrylic are even less likely to break than those made of glass. In terms of both functionality and cost, the thickness of acrylic sheets is a major factor to consider. When a basketball is thrown at a thinner acrylic surface, it can temporarily bend under the force of the ball, altering bouncing back. Although its production cost may exceed that of a glass backboard, it provides the best rebound impact.

Its medium rebound performance is comparable to that of tempered glass backboards, which is rated 85%. When compared to tempered, acrylic plexiglass sheets are more affordable.

Tempered Glass Vs Acrylic Glass Backboards

Tempered glass is a great material for basketball backboards because of its durability and rigidity. Thanks to the material’s rigidity, the ball has a very good chance of bouncing off the backboard. Additionally, these backboards can avoid scratches because of their solid surface. The risk of vandalism is a drawback of tempered glass backboards. Glass can be broken by any hard object that makes a fast enough collision with its surface. Basketball backboards can also be made out of acrylic, which is another clear material. Acrylic backboards are far more forgiving than glass ones when it comes to breakage. However, if you’re a newbie, we’d recommend opting for an acrylic basketball backboard.

What Should Be the Optimum Thickness of a Backboard?

If you want a gym-quality rebound, your best bet is a 54 or 60-inch board with 3/8-inch glass, or a 72-inch board with 1/2-inch glass. It all depends on how big and professional you want your backboard to be. Furthermore, if you choose a tempered glass basketball backboard, it should be 12mm thick. Otherwise, for the acrylic backboard, 15mm thickness would be best!

Also, different thicknesses and sizes will impact changing prices, so you must also consider this factor! Rest, the required dimensions for the backboard are 6′ across the horizontal axis and 3′ and a half’ up the vertical axis.

How Long Do Basketball Backboards Last?

Glass backboards tend to crack when they come in contact with hard impacts. For 4 to 5 years, they typically serve a great appeal to the eye but can break easily during play. Even after being exposed to UV radiation outside, the plexiglass backboard will retain its clarity. It maintains its vandal-proof qualities, making it a great choice for outdoor use. Despite being used outside, an acrylic backboard will retain its clarity for at least a decade or more.

Pros and Cons of Basketball Backboards

Pros

• An in-ground hoop has a distinct benefit over a portable one due to its permanence. Acrylic basketball backboards are a great option for those concerned with stability and reliability. Most players enjoy flaunting their dunking abilities, but this is impossible with a portable hoop. Having the hoop shift around might also affect the players’ shooting and lower the pleasure of the game.

• As opposed to portable models, in-ground baskets will last longer. The basketball hoop in the garage will last for years because it is made of durable materials like tempered glass backboards or acrylic.

• Most sellers of basketball hoops will stand behind their products with extensive, sometimes lifetime guarantees.

• In addition to these advantages, an in-ground system increases the value of the property. This is especially important if the owner plans to sell it. These hoops are both aesthetically pleasing and durable.

Cons

• The fixed hoops cannot be relocated once it has been installed. They are not practical for nomads because they are fixed in one place. Additionally, the hoop is far more difficult to remove than portable alternatives.

• Given the long-term nature of the construction, a building permit may be necessary. There are limitations on installing basketball courts in certain areas and installation can be a bit difficult.

• These systems are costly because of the high-priced materials used in their construction.

Wrap Up!

The selection of any backboard will entirely depend on your space and game requirements. Anyhow, we’d recommend searching for some acrylic options for better results. Models made of acrylic function well because the material is more weather-resistant than polycarbonate or other materials. Knowing your intended purpose and the materials of the backboard is crucial.