Posts Tagged ‘Goals’
Kids love basketball. Whether kids are short or tall, old or young, have experience or no experience, they love to pick up the ball and give it a try. The goal may seem miles away, but they will try to make a basket and dribble around the court. Just as important as teaching kids the rules of the game, is teaching them how to be safe. When purchasing a basketball goal for your home, school, or community keep these safety tips in mind.
For basketball goals with a pole, purchase pole padding. Pole padding is a simple foam padding with a vinyl cover. The padding can be wrapped around the pole and closed with the attached velcro strip. Most padding fits poles up to 66″ tall, but check your pole height to get the right fit. Typically padding is 1 ½” thick.
Padded poles protect kids from injury. It is easy to run into the pole when playing a game or chasing the ball. Injuries from colliding with a pole that isn’t padded can range from bumps and bruises to concussions or broken bones. Adding pole padding can greatly reduce the chance of these types of injuries.
In addition to padding the pole on your basketball goal, you can also add a gusset pad. These pads are pyramid shaped and cover the base plates and bolts on an adjustable crank system. Gusset pads will help prevent foot injuries that can occur when players bump into the base plates. It will also protect players from being scratched or injured on any bolts.
Another item that you can add to your basketball system to help kids be safe is a ball retention net. This net attaches to the back of your system and stretches to the ground. When baskets are made or attempted, the balls retract off of the net and can roll back towards the player. This is a great way to prevent kids from running into the street or other people’s yards after the ball. Adding something as simple as this gives kids a visual boundary.
For teenagers who are ready to start attempting slam dunks, the type of net you have on your basketball goal becomes a safety issue. Make sure you get an anti-whip net. Anti-whip nets are made of a specific type of nylon that won’t tangle around hands or fingers. This helps protect player’s hands from injuries that may occur when going in for a slam dunk.
Another safety issue for teenagers is the type of rim that you have. A flex rim gives when pressure is put on it. This spring loaded resistance protects both the player and the backboard. For teens who will be making more contact with the rim, a flex rim assures that the pressure they apply can be handled.
Teaching basketball to kids and teens is a fun and exciting experience, but safety is of the utmost importance. Keep kids and teens safe by adding some of this equipment to your basketball goal.
A lot of people probably play the game of basketball without giving a lot of attention to the details of the equipment. The type of equipment you play on, not just the skill of the players, can make or break a game. When it comes to purchasing a basketball system, you need to make sure you understand two of the most important components of a basketball system, the goal and the backboard. These two pieces work together to help you play a great game.
The goal and backboard are the two pieces of a basketball system that players and the ball interact with the most. Having a quality goal and backboard that are safe and durable can make your game time even more enjoyable. Players and spectators alike will appreciate a quality basketball system. There are many different combinations available to meet your specific needs.
Backboards range from simple to professional style. High school and NCAA regulation backboards are made from glass. All models are made from ½” tempered glass. The FT234 is an example of a basic glass backboard. It is 42″ x 72″ and comes with a 10 year limited warranty from one provider. (Other models will offer other warranties, so check before you buy.) This is a great choice for moderate play. The FT235 is a good choice for more aggressive play. It may come with a limited lifetime warranty and is guaranteed to be unbreakable during play.
For the ultimate playing experience and top quality basketball system, pair a professional style glass backboard with a competition breakaway goal. Breakaway goals are long lasting and allow for aggressive slam dunk play. Basic breakaway goals such as the FT190, are economical yet still come with a one year warranty. This model is great for junior high or church play. The FT196 is an awesome breakaway goal. It allows breakaway action from any angle. It usually comes with a limited 8 year warranty and is excellent for aggressive college play.
Other backboards come in acrylic which is a great choice for a gymnasium or recreation center. Acrylic is more affordable but is also durable and impact resistant. The FT222H is a 42″ x 72″ acrylic backboard that comes with an aluminum frame and a 10 year limited warranty. If you are looking for a smaller backboard, try the FT220H. It is 36″ x 60″, all weather, and comes with a 10 year limited warranty.
To compliment an acrylic backboard, a flex goal is a great choice. A flex goal flexes slightly when slam dunks are made. If you are looking for a basketball system for home use, the FT184 flex goal is a good choice. For more aggressive playground play, the FT187D flex goal will give you the durability needed.
You can customize most combinations of backboards and goals to achieve the basketball system you’ve always dreamed of. Whether for home use, church, a playground, or gym finding the right combination of backboard and goal is possible. Remember, these two pieces of equipment can make your game all it should be. Consider which combination you want and mix and match to find the perfect basketball system.
Once you make the decision to buy basketball goals and basketball hoops for personal or community use, you may think that the matter is closed. This isn’t necessarily the case. Several accessories are available to help you get the most out of your basketball equipment.
If you have decided to buy a basketball goal or basketball hoop with a crank to raise and lower the rim height, you may want to make sure that it stays at the level you have selected. In that case, the FT 12 lock is the solution to the problem. This key operated handle lock can be used on either the 4″, 5″ or 6″ EZ-Crank adjustable goal systems.
A ground anchor kit is available if you buy one of the outdoor basketball goals and basketball hoops offered. In it you will find everything you need to install an EZ-Crank adjustable basketball system, including a template, rebar, hex bolts and J-bolts. A set of instructions has also been included.
Outdoor basketball goals and basketball hoops for outdoor use need to be grounded, and buying a ground sleeve makes the process a lot easier. The sleeves are meant to cement into place and the post fits neatly inside. Eight tension bolts hold the post in place, and the sleeve is buried 36″ below the playing surface. The post is then perfectly leveled.
When it’s time to practice drills, you will appreciate the fact that you have a ball carrier to keep all of them stored neatly. The casters on all four corners make the unit easy to move into place and back into storage once the game or practice is finished.
What home basketball court would be complete without having lines stenciled in the concrete of your driveway or patio area? Use Basketball Court Stencil Kit FT 20 to paint a free throw line, regulation line and circle on any blacktop or cement surface.
Practice time needs to be used to its best advantage, and you can minimize the time you spend chasing after stray shots and passes by buying the FT 22 Defender Ball Retention Net. This product is designed to promote safety as well as reduce the damage to your neighbors’ property and plants. The unit fits on top of all of First Team’s pole-mounted basketball goals and basketball hoops. Best of all, you can install it in about 10 minutes and get on with enjoying the sport!
Practicing rebounding skills with the FT 23 Block-Aid. You don’t need any tools or ladders to install it; just toss it into place or use a broom handle to lift it up. Made from lightweight urethane, the Block-Aid will help you improve your rebounding skills without damaging the floor or injuring the other people you are playing with.
These accessories for basketball goals and basketball hoops can help you get the most out of these products. When you are thinking about ordering the right basketball goal or hoop for your needs, consider what else you might need to complement it.