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Portable basketball goals come in every shape, color and size imaginable. Entering a sporting goods store blindly can be an intimidating and daunting task. When surrounded by the towering army of long metal poles and bulky backboards, all the goals seem to look the same. However, each portable goal is unique and caters to specific basketball needs. By selecting a hoop most comfortable with, you will get your money’s worth and spend countless hours perfecting your game.
Expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $400 depending on the goal’s features you desire. A hoop used for the occasional game of one-on-one is entirely different from the hoop used to train the next Michael Jordan. In any case, the four basic parts of the portable basketball goal are: the base, the pole, the backboard and the goal. Each of these can vary significantly from one goal to the next, and each design has certain desired advantages.
The foundation of any portable goal is its base, and most are generally bulky, square-shaped and hollow. After assembly completion, the base is filled with sand or water to stabilize the hoop. This prevents any wobbling or shaking caused by shots or other movements. A convenient feature used in nearly all models is the placement of wheels towards the back of the base. This allows for the simple moving of the hoop, even after it is fully assembled. Car parked in the driveway? No problem. Just wheel it out to the street or backyard. This small but important feature can prove to be invaluable, saving much time and energy. As a general rule of thumb, the more expensive portable goals have sturdier bases and use thicker plastics. Likewise, the more inexpensive goals often have thinner, weaker material bases. When selecting a hoop, show no mercy and have no fear. Stand on the base, even jump around on it. Do a little dance and give it a good shake. The key to a great portable goal is balance. Your investment is just that- inspect every aspect of your possible choices.
Choosing a portable goal with a quality pole is often overlooked. Too many times, customers base their decisions hastily on price, appearance or both – all of which can be deceiving. The industry has created a standard blueprint for pole structures, and it is quite likely some may appear similar. Upon further examination, however, the differences are easily recognized. Although some poles rely solely on one main shaft to hold up the hoop and backboard, it is becoming more and more common to find one large pole supported by two (or more) lesser side poles. Companies now produce longer poles, but slightly angle them to shift the balance and weight accordingly. In effect, this further reduces any unwanted movement and aligns the base, poles and backboard. Additionally, the ability to adjust the height of the goal may be preferred. Most hoops are set at the designated height of 10 feet, but adjustable hoops allow for the height to range from five feet to 11 feet and everywhere in between. So if the little ones can’t quite reach the hoop, or you just want to experience the awe-inspiring glory of dunking a basketball, choosing an adjustable goal may be the answer.
Have you ever played a game of basketball at a local park or school? And have you, in hopes of honing your jump-shot, thrown the ball gloriously towards the hoop, only to find the ball careen wildly off the backboard? Perhaps not – it is a truly dismal feeling. These backboards are often made with a dense, hard plexi-glass which poorly absorbs the moving energy of the ball. The material, shape and density of backboards play a crucial role in making a quality portable goal. At the inexpensive end of the spectrum that is basketball leisure, backboards tend to be flimsier and overly absorbent – inevitably minimizing the bounce of the ball. Similarly, the quality of high-end portable goals reflects their respective prices. These backboards are often made with a thick plexi-glass which offers a perfect balance of absorbency and bounce. These goals often replicate the permanent goals used in professional gyms and schools, as well. Quality backboards will remain strong and upright despite the strongest and wildest of shots. As expected, there are hoops in the middle of this spectrum with modest prices and average to above-average qualities. Work with your budget to find a backboard suiting your needs.
Most all basketball rims (circular part of goal) are the exact size and design. Therefore, your only decision to make is the color of the basketball rim. Metal rims generally come in three colors: black, orange and red. Find a color that feeds off of your spiritual and athletic energy. Nets, used to contain the movement of the ball, offer a slightly greater selection, with solid colors, patterns and differing materials. If you want to regain your bragging rights as the king of “street game,” you could use a metal net, recreating your early days as a basketball phenom.
By carefully examining each working part of a portable basketball goal, you can choose a perfect recreational tool that will test your skills, as well as the sands of time.
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