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.

Build A Basketball Court
Everyone wants to have a basketball court but very few know how to build a basketball court. The first step is to identify the area. There is no difficulty with a concrete area. It is smooth, firm and ready to play. However, surfaces that are uneven may need to be leveled. Such surfaces may either need concreting or else laying of an artificial basketball surface. Both these are expensive options.

Huffy Basketball Hoop
The Huffy basketball hoop is one of the most popular hoops available in the market. It is known for its durability and ease of installation. Huffy also believes in innovation, and continues to come up with new products. Its current product range includes portable hoops, in-ground hoops, backboard and rim combinations.