Regulation Basketball Hoop Facts

Get the scoop on what a regulation basketball hoop really is.

A regulation basketball hoop that is used for NBA and NCAA tourneys is quite different to the hoops used at home. Its size and dimensions are decided by a tournament committee that ensures that the playing conditions are uniform for all the teams. Any change in the dimensions, design or color of the regulation hoop is communicated to participating teams well in advance so that they face no problem on match days.

The height of the regulation hoop used by NBA is ten feet. It uses a backboard made of a transparent material. Behind the backboard is a red light, which is used to indicate the end of a playing period. The red light is so positioned that it is visible to the players, coaches and referees. Very rarely, home hoops use lights.

The regulation glass backboards are 72 inches across, 42 inches high, and 1/2-inch thick. These dimensions are very different to home backboards which generally fall in the 40-inch to 60-inch range with a thickness that varies from 5/16-inch to 1/2-inch thick

Great care is taken to select the backboard. The surface is smooth and firm, and the bounce even. Uneven surfaces or surfaces that produce uneven bounce can break the rhythm of the players, and disturb the entire game.

Similar attention is paid to the selection and mounting of the basket. The best rims are those that have an 18-inch diameter, and are at least 5/8-inch thick. Steel clips are used to clamp the net to the rim, which is painted orange.

The regulation pole too is thicker to the poles used at home. This is because the pole has to support a heavier and a larger backboard. That is why game regulators prescribe a six-inch pole to support the regulation 72-inch by 42-inch backboard with a four-foot overhang.

These hoops are very sturdy, and can take a lot of pounding. They can easily survive frequent airborne assaults by players who try to dunk from close to the backboard, or swing from the basket.

Outdoor Basketball Hoops
One of the most common sights in the US is an outdoor basketball hoop mounted on a wall next to a paved driveway, on the sidewall of a house or over the garage door. These outdoor hoops are easy to install, require little maintenance and are not in the way of people or vehicles. In contrast, portable or in-ground systems have to be set up more carefully.

NCAA Basketball Tourney
The NCAA Basketball Tournament is one of the most watched and awaited sports fixture in the US. It whips up a frenzy that is incredible. Almost the whole nation turns to basketball when the NCAA tournament starts.