Portable | Basketball Hoops Review

Pool Basketball Hoop

March 21, 2011 By admin

Pool Basketball Hoop 1 Pool Basketball Hoop 2 Swimming Pool Basketball Hoop

Fun in the Sun and improve your basketball game at the same time – it may not get much better than that combination!

A swimming pool basketball hoop set has been one of the hottest selling items in the industry over the last several years. There are a few different manufacturers of the pool basketball hoop sets but the concept from each essentially is the same type of product.

What is a Pool Basketball Hoop?
It is a regulation style basketball hoop and backboard that is portable enough to be easily rolled to the side of your pool so you can shoot and play full games (without dribbling while in the water, of course) while you are being cool in your pool. The hoop systems are usually lower to the pool surface ranging anywhere from five feet to 8 feet above the surface of the water. Most units are rolled up and placed at the edge of the pool and the base has enough weight so there is no danger of it flopping over into the water with the exception of when a 200 pound plus power forward is hanging on the rim. When that happens, there are no rules.

Many country club pools and more some of the more elite recreational facilities have permanently installed pool basketball hoops at one end of their pool. These permanent installations are anchor bolted into the concrete and are usually full-size regulation backboards. If that type of setup is of interest you will likely need to purchase an inground basketball hoop and simply adjust it to fit your needs.

What size is the Rim and Backboard on a Pool Basketball Hoop?
Most of the time, the backboards are smaller than full-size in order to cut down on the weight of the unit and help to prevent tipping. Unless otherwise specified the rims will be regulation rims so any type of basketball will work well with the swimming pool basketball hoop system.

There are mini hoop systems available that can setup along the side of a pool very quickly and very easily. These basketball hoops require that the players use a smaller ball and the unit is typically light at the base so tipping is more likely.

Since pool basketball hoop systems can only reach about eight feet in maximum height for the rim, they are usually used only in the pool. If you have small children you can wheel them into the driveway and the unit will work well for their play, but the limited height most often keeps pool basketball hoops very close to the pool itself.

The prices for pool basketball hoops range from $99 to about $1,200 for a full size regulation system that is anchor bolted into the concrete. At the more economical end of the spectrum the units are often made of plastic and have sand or water filled bases to keep the unit upright. We suggest shopping for the right mix of price and quality before making a purchasing decision on your pool basketball hoop system to ensure that it fits the needs of you and your family for years to come.

Filed Under: Mini, Outdoor, Portable Tagged With: pool basketball hoop, swimming pool basketball hoop

Adjustable Basketball Hoops

March 21, 2011 By admin

Adjustable Basketball Hoop In Driveway Adjustable Basketball Hoop Roof Mounted Adjustable Basketball Hoop for Home

Adjustable Basketball Hoops have come a long way in technology and design over the last 20 years. The days of heavy lifting to a precision point to then have a friend stick a metal bolt into a socket to hold the height of an adjustable basketball hoop have long passed. The days of hanging an adjustable basketball hoop from the top of your garage and then watching as the bolts ripped a hole in the roof as the unit came pummeling back to earth left us in the late 80’s. Today’s adjustable basketball hoops are manufactured for safety, ease of use, strength and durability.

Adjustable Basketball Hoop Safety
Safety is engineered directly into the product as design teams set out to find ways to allow the smallest and youngest of players to be able to enjoy having an adjustable basketball hoop in their driveway. Time was spent considering the total weight of the adjustable basketball hoop system in relation to the backboard and rim configuration that would actually be moving. Care was taken to be sure that pins are not used that may have led to fingers being pinched and hands being jammed into sliding metal poles as they contract to lower an adjustable basketball hoop.

Adjustable Basketball Hoop Ease Of Use
The systems today generally fall into one of 3 types of categories for designs to aid in the movement of adjustable basketball hoops. Probably the most ingenious convention introduced was the use of counter-balance weights to offset the weight of the basketball pole and backboard unit. These weights allow the end user to feel as though they are moving a fraction of the total weight of the adjustable basketball hoop while easily moving what can be up to 300 pounds of metal and acrylic.

The second engineering most beneficial introduction was the use of pulley systems that have been moved inside of the hollow poles. This has been terrific for two main reasons. The first is that when the pulleys were outside there was a constant risk of getting hands and fingers pinched between the cables and the hand crank or the pulley wheel – that has been eliminated. The second reason is that pulley systems do what they do best, allow for more weight to be lifted than the actual force being applied to lift it. So smaller people and people with less strength are able to move the adjustable basketball hoops up and down without always having to have Dad help out. For development of younger players, this is a great step forward.

The third invention was the use of an air cylinder and a hand crank to be able to offer the premium adjustable basketball hoops the ease of movement that was previously only enjoyed by the smaller systems. The air cylinder acts as a pneumatic device to maintain the current position of the pole as it is raised and lowered. The cylinder smoothes out the force required to raise or lower the unit while keeping constant force, allowing the crank to move through its screw designed unit to easily move the adjustable basketball hoop system.

Adjustable Basketball Hoops Strength and Durability
Not long ago adjustable basketball hoops were inferior to their in ground, permanent counter parts. The mechanisms were not in place to allow for high quality steel and heavy acrylic backboards to be used because they could not be raised or lowered without a winch system being installed. This system proved too costly for most hoop fans, few were sold and consumers did not consider them often as they were purchasing hoop systems. The introduction of better mechanized raising and lowering capabilities led to better grades of steel being used in the pole and support systems which then provided the ability to support better glass and acrylic backboards. This capability made them attractive to consumers and now adjustable basketball hoop systems are one of the best purchases for the aspiring basketball athlete to have in his or her driveway while they work on their game.

Filed Under: In-Ground, Indoor, Outdoor, Portable Tagged With: adjustable basketball hoops

Kids Basketball Hoop

March 21, 2011 By admin

Kids Basketball Hoop Kids Basketball Hoop- Drop Down Model Kids Basketball Hoop - Adjustable

What’s the Right Age for Your Family to Purchase a Kids Basketball Hoop

The simple answer is – as soon as your kids can crawl! The more practical answer is that you should get your first kids basketball hoop when you can afford it and when your house has enough room to have it around without creating a large amount of clutter.

A basketball hoop for kids can be about whatever you would like to make of it. They come in all sizes and all price ranges. As a basketball enthusiast my message is that while it does not matter what size or shape your kids basketball hoop takes, you should make sure that you have one available at all times. The most important thing that you can do for your kids to help them to enjoy the game of basketball as they get older is to give them a place to play from the youngest of ages.

Plastic Basketball Hoops for Kids are Inexpensive

The great news for people interested in purchasing a kids basketball hoop is that they are very inexpensive. Plastic models available at many national toy stores can be purchased for less than 30 dollars. The kids basketball hoop models they carry are easy to setup with most just requiring a quick click to put the units together. The joy that your kids will get from them is immeasurable.

The units are adjustable and can place the height anywhere from 2 feet up to 6 feet high. This makes these types of units perfect for placement in the corner of the family room or basement. They are also terrific outside on the back patio.

My Personal Kids Basketball Hoop

When I was kid my parents spoiled us by having a kids basketball hoop in the family room that was an adjustable plastic unit and also by placing a small kids basketball hoop above our closet door in each of our bedrooms. That small basketball hoop allowed me to spend countless hours with my brothers rolling up sock balls and working every possible angle to shoot that sock wad into the hoop without hitting the roof of the room. We could make shots from about every spot in the room including laying flat on our backs from 16 feet across the room. It was fun.

Older Kids Basketball Hoop Models

As we grew up we advanced to bigger and better basketball hoops. My dad purchased a basketball hoop that we mounted above the garage to the roof. That worked out terrifically well until we started to bump into it so much that the bolts began to loosen from the garage roof. We knew it was time to move our kids basketball hoop to the other side of the driveway and to a pole of its own. That was the best thing we did for our game. That move allowed us to increase or shooting range and to play games with all of our buddies for hours on end in the safety and comfort of our driveway. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Filed Under: In-Ground, Mini, Portable Tagged With: basketball hoop for kids, kids basketball hoop

Lifetime Basketball Hoops

March 21, 2011 By admin

Lifetime Basketball Hoop 1 Lifetime Basketball Hoop - Portable

Here is a great excerpt from the Lifetime company about their Lifetime basketball hoops and related products. When my kids were young we had a Lifetime basketball hoop system installed on the roof of our garage. It was an adjustable basketball hoop that worked great for them as they learned how to play the game. The Lifetime basketball hoop worked great for our family because it was affordable and easy to install. I spent only a few hours setting it up and then we spent years playing with it. That is the mark of a great product.

If you love this game, bring home the best lifetime basketball hoop on the market. Enjoy the convenience of anytime, all-the-time basketball in your very own yard. Gather friends and family together for some great fun and friendly competition.

If you are seeking the finest Lifetime basketball hoop system available to purchase, you should check out Lifetime basketball hoops. Since 1986, Lifetime has changed basketball for the better, allowing you to play the game the way you want to. With the introduction of the first adjustable basketball pole and a revolutionary portable system, Lifetime brought the game home. Today, Lifetime is the world’s leading maker of home basketball equipment, with systems that meet everyone’s level.

What Makes a Lifetime System the Best Basketball Hoop?

Lifetime manufactures the best basketball hoop because we offer a variety of height adjustment features so
you can easily customize the height of the backboard to your own desired level.
• Action Grip® – uses counter-balance springs to adjust from 7.5ft to 10ft. with the squeeze of a handle
• Power lift® – uses a pneumatic mechanism to adjust from 7.5ft. to 10ft. with the squeeze of a handle
• Quick Adjust® – uses a broomstick to adjust from 7.5ft. to 10ft
• Speed Shift® – uses counter-balance springs to adjust from 8ft. to 10ft. with the pull of a handle
• Telescoping – adjusts from 7.5 to 10ft. without the use of tools
• Front Adjust – Facing the pole, use the handle to easily adjust height of the backboard from 7.5 – 10 ft with the aid of counter-balance springs. This front position is especially convenient on portable systems because the base won’t get in the way.
• Pump Adjust – Use a handle to easily adjust the height of the backboard from 7.5 – 10 ft with the aid of a pneumatic mechanism.
• Rapid Cam – Use a handle to easily raise and lower the massive Mammoth backboard in seconds with just one hand. Pneumatic springs, mechanical springs, and cam plates do the work for you! Adjusts from 7.5 – 10 ft. with infinite settings.
• Strong Arm – Use a lever to adjust the height of the backboard from 8 – 10 ft with the aid of counter-balance springs. Five available settings in 6 in.increments.

Construction

We guarantee the best Lifetime basketball hoop by thoroughly testing our products in our in-house testing lab to ensure they meet stringent American Society for Testing and Materials ( ASTM) safety standards, as well as additional safety, environmental, and practical use standards set by Lifetime.

We guarantee the best Lifetime basketball hoops because all of our systems are built with the highest-quality steel parts. Every system features a powder-coated finish that makes the poles rust- and scratch-resistant. All in-ground poles feature a patented friction-weld joint that safeguards against unwanted movement. Our rims are a heavier gauge steel than any other system on the market and we use polyethylene for our portable bases and some backboards. The best basketball hoop on the market is covered with the best warranty in the business – a top-to-bottom five year warranty.

Functionality

At Lifetime, we manufacture the best Lifetime basketball hoops because we strive to keep your options open. That’s why we offer two kinds of basketball systems, inground and portable, as well as a variety of backboards and height adjustment features. We’re sure you’ll find the system with everything you’re looking for!
• Inground systems provide the ultimate in stability and rigidity. Although an inground system requires a cement installation, even our inground systems can be removed if they are installed using the ground sleeve we offer in our accessories line.
• Portable systems have the advantage of easy transportation due to the roller base design. Just fill the base with sand or water for stability. They can easily be relocated from backyard patio, to driveway, to cul-de-sac.
• In-ground Bolt-Down This lock-down freestanding portable base gives you the rigidity of an in-ground system and the flexibility of a portable system. The base easily fills with sand or water, providing a stable foundation, and the system can be rolled to the desired location. The lock-down feature secures the base to concrete surfaces with removable bolts. Adjustable base feet level the system for uneven playing surfaces. No cement or ground sleeve required.

Basketball Rims

Every Lifetime basketball rim is designed with welded steel net hooks to withstand aggressive play as well as other features that enhance safety and performance.
• Slam-It rim – Features double-compression springs providing spring-back action. Constructed of solid steel, this 5/8 in. rim is supported by 1/2 in. braces. Built for competitive play with welded-steel net hooks and an all-weather nylon net.
• Classic rim – Features a 5/8 in. solid-steel ring supported by 1/2 in. braces. Provides excellent durability with welded steel net hooks. No springs. All-weather nylon net included.
• Ultra rim – Constructed with a 5/8 in. ring of solid steel supported by 1/2 in. braces. Also features a continuous net hook wire which secures the heavy-duty all-weather nylon net to the rim with minimal intrusion. Built to take a slam with double-compression springs providing excellent spring-back action.
• Spring Flex rim – Mammoth’s heavy-duty Spring-Flex rim is built to take the abuse of competitive play. This breakaway-style rim features a wraparound brace supporting a 5/8 in. ring of solid steel.
Lifetime manufactures the best basketball hoop because we offer a variety of backboards:
• Impact®– made from high-density polyethylene plastic (HDPE) to withstand the elements
• Steel-framed Aluminum – perforated aluminum playing surface provides superior performance
• Acrylic – provides superior strength and a pro-glass look
• Shatter Proof – made from Makrolon®
• Tempered Glass – just like the pros, provides superior rebound performance

Filed Under: Outdoor, Portable Tagged With: lifetime basketball hoop, lifetime basketball hoops

Basketball Hoops For Sale

March 21, 2011 By admin

Basketball Hoops for Sale - Logo Basketball Hoops For Sale - Park Model Basketball Hoops for Sale - Outdoor

The Best Places to Find Basketball Hoops For Sale

The best places to find basketball hoops for sale is likely exactly where you would think. Shopping centers, big box outlets, kids toy stores, specialty retail stores that cater to outdoor recreation and, of course, online websites.

Basketball Hoops for Sale Through Conventional Means

When looking for basketball hoops on sale from the conventional retail establishments it is best to do a quick comparison shop online. By doing so you will be armed with the different types of brands offered, the price ranges available, the installation services offered by the store if you are getting an inground basketball system or any other types of setup and assembly services they might provide. Most stores will do the assembly for you but you need to get the unit home, which means that you will need a large car or pickup truck to be able to move the unit home.

Basketball Hoops for Sale Through Specialty Retail Stores

Specialty Retail Stores offer terrific value when looking for basketball hoops for sale. These types of stores offer a full complement of products designed to help your family enjoy their free time. Most offer high end swing sets and playground equipment and almost all of them offer the ability to install a basketball court (the cement or playing surface) in additional to performing the installation of the basketball hoop itself.

The specialty stores tend to be one of my favorite destinations when looking for a basketball hoop for sale because they offer the expertise needed to be sure you are purchasing the right type of basketball hoop system for your family and for your budget. After considering the expertise and services level offered, the biggest thing I like about specialty stores is that they want to have you as a customer. A big box store or a toy store will gladly sell you a basketball hoop and wish you the best of luck in getting it setup. A specialty store knows that you just purchased some of their reputation when you laid your credit card down and they want you to come back to buy more someday in addition to telling all of your friends about the great purchase you just made. They have skin in the game so it matters to them.

Another win for the specialty store is that they have the ability to negotiate, at least a little bit. There is nothing wrong with asking for a discount from a specialty store. Chances are they have a commercial account representative who works out competitive deals all day long on the same equipment so there is no need to feel bashful about asking for 5-10 percent off the list price or for free installation or delivery. Just ask – the worst they can say is no and I guarantee you their feelings will not be hurt by asking. You may just be surprised by their response. You can thank me later : )

Basketball Hops for Sale Online

Finally, when seeking basketball hoops for sale, check out the specialty websites that exist specifically for that purpose. Be sure to ask them about shipping charges, as these units can be heavy and also be sure to ask if they can help setup local installation requirements with a contractor. While they won’t take final responsibility for the installation, they will recommend someone who they have worked with before in your area and you can feel comfortable knowing that you got a great deal and that your installation will go without a hitch.

Basketball hoops for sale are everywhere – go find one and enjoy!

Filed Under: In-Ground, Indoor, Mini, Outdoor, Portable Tagged With: basketball hoops for sale

Little Tikes Basketball Hoop

March 16, 2011 By admin

Little Tikes Basketball Hoop Little Tikes Basketball Hoop - 2 Little Tikes Kids Basketball Hoop - 3

Little Tikes Basketball Hoops

The best name in basketball hoops for young families is that of Little Tikes. Little Tikes specializes in outdoor play items for young kids. They specialize in offering high grade plastic toys that stand up well to the test of time for both durability and overall fun. Their Little Tikes basketball hoops have been studied and reviewed until there is practically nothing more that could be written about them that has not already been written before. My message is that they are well designed, extremely durable and that kids have an absolute blast playing with them. A consumer cannot go wrong with the purchase of a Little Tikes basketball hoop.

Little Tikes Basketball Hoop Assembly and Operation

The Little Tikes basketball hoop is easy to assemble. When first taken out of the box the consumer is greeted with just a handful of pieces. The base, stem, backboard and rim are all that comprise the entire unit. Step 1 is to remove the pieces from the box. Step 2 is to push the stem into the base unit. Step 3 is to attach the rim to the backboard, a process that does require a little bit of pushing to get it to properly snap into place. Step 4 is to take the backboard/rim and then to push it onto the stem. When that step is completed the unit is standing up and is ready to play with. There is one final step to take and that is the step that will allow the base to stay in place. The base needs to be filled with either sand or water if you have players who will be dunking or taking longer outside shots. If your kids are not that type of player yet, the Little Tike basketball hoop will stand up just fine and will withstand the pressure of shooting the ball against it without issue. Get ready to play!

Little Tikes Basketball Hoop Durability

I can only speak from experience as I do not have a large study covering the use of the Little Tikes basketball hoop by a number of parents spanning a number of years. Instead, I have about 3 years of having 2 boys play with the basketball hoop just about every day. We would take it outside when the weather tuned better in the Midwest and it would stay on the back porch through rain and heat. We would then clean it up a little bit with warm water and move it back inside for the fall and winter seasons. It held up terrifically well over that period of time. So well that my family simply outgrew it and gave it to another young family in our neighborhood when we were finished with it. Three years, lots of shots, lots of weather, lots of dunks, lots of emptying and refilling the base with water so the kids could dunk on it, and it held up well throughout that entire time frame – that is my testimony in favor of the Little Tikes Basketball Hoop, and that is about as good as it gets for my money.

Filed Under: Mini, Portable Tagged With: little tikes basketball hoop

Portable Basketball Hoop

March 16, 2011 By admin

Portable Basketball Hoop 1 Portable Basketball Hoop 2

When is a Portable Basketball Hoop Right for Your Family?

The short answer is that a portable basketball hoop is right whenever there is a need to move the basketball hoop from place to place in your yard or driveway, or when you want to have a basketball hoop but do not have the funds to invest in a full scale permanent basketball hoop.

How Affordable is a Portable Basketball Hoop

Here is the really great news for consumers. Portable basketball hoops can be purchased from major discount (Big-Box) retail outlets for a fraction of the price of inground units. The cost can be as low as thirty nine dollars if you wait for a sale and do not want a very high end unit. Most will run right at one hundred dollars for a nice quality, easily setup unit that your family can start to enjoy within hours of purchase.

Portable Basketball Hoop Base

The bases for portable basketball hoops are typically a hollow plastic shell that is wide enough to support the basketball hoop. The plastic shell is filled with your choice of water or sand. The weight is what matters most but here a couple of other considerations for you to ponder as you make your choice. The choice involves how difficult you would like for it to be to move or to store the unit. If you believe you will put the portable basketball hoop system away for the winter in a garage or a storage shed then you should likely use water as the weight for your portable basketball hoop. The reason is simple – water is easy to fill up the base unit with and, more importantly, it is very easy to drain.

The portable basketball hoop base will have a drain and fill plug. To drain the unit of water, simply remove the drain plug and then tilt the unit up or over as the water drains. It will drain to the point of about ninety percent. It is then that you will need to tilt it very far in order to get the remaining amount of water to drain.

Sand will offer a more permanent and perhaps better alternative for your portable basketball hoop if there is not a need to drain the base unit very often. The sand is thicker than water and will not tend to leak from the base unit. It will also not evaporate which means that you will not need to refill it very often, if ever.
Portable Basketball Hoop Construction

The construction quality of your portable basketball hoop is greatly dependent upon what you have paid for the unit. The higher quality units will be every bit as durable as conventional in ground basketball units. The lower quality portable basketball hoops will be good enough for your family to enjoy but they will not tend to hold up as your kids become teenagers and spend a lot of time dunking and generally treating the unit more harshly.

Portable Basketball Hoop Setup

The units are easy to setup if you can manage to follow some directions and are handy with a wrench and screwdriver. Configuring the breakaway rim, attaching it to the backboard and then configuring the adjustable pole system are the most challenging. Most systems have great step by step instructions to follow and once you get past the steps mentioned, the pole attachment to the backboard followed by the pole insertion into the base unit are easily completed in a short amount of time. Fill up your portable basketball hoop base unit with sand or water and start playing – you are ready to go!

Filed Under: Portable Tagged With: portable basketball hoop, portable basketball hoops

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