You have had a wonderfully fuctional basketball system in your backyard for years. You have spent hours out practicing by yourself, inviting your friends and family over, and teaching your children to play. Things were going great until one afternoon, your oldest child comes in and tells you that your beloved basketball system is no more. He and his friends did not do anything wrong. They were just out shooting hoops and the backboard, quite suddenly, shattered. Hey, it happens. Backboard cannot last forever. You got a long life out of the system. Time to hang up the sneaks for good, right? No!

Basketball Backboards Can Be Replaced … Sort of

Before you junk the old system, please read the rest this blog post. The backboard is merely a part of the system. And parts are replaceable. So, question number one is where does one go to replace their backboard? So, here is the sort of part. Several manufacturers actually sell replacement backboards through a whole host of retailers in store and online. However, not every backboard online or in store will work with your system. So, the next question is who made your system? You are most likely to find a replacement for your backboard from either Spalding / Huffy or Lifetime Products as both of these manufacturers actively market replacement backboards. However, all of their backboards are not replaceable. So, next question is what material is the backboard made of? If it is tempered glass, then you are again out of luck as tempered glass backboards are not retailed from either manufacturer. You will have to attempt to order directly through the manufacturer. To speed up your quest, Lifetime Products can be reached at 1-800-225-3865 and Spalding / Huffy can be reached at 1-800-558-5234. If your backboard is not tempered glass then you are still on the right track. Both manufacturers retail backboards made with plastic, polycarbonate, or acrylic materials. So, you are a step closer to find the right system. The last thing that you will need to figure out is what mounting bracket you have on your system to verify compatibility with replacement backboards for sale. For this last question, brackets differ greatly. Contact us with any questions if you got to this point. We will be happy to assist.

Here is some help for you when researching a purchase for an arcade basketball game for your home use. First, we will look at manufacturers of these types of games. Lifetime Products, Spalding, and Escalade Sports are the largest manufacturers of these types of systems – there are many other smaller makers as well. Of these 3 main players in this market, Spalding and Escalade Sports offer a more than 1 system. Each of these manufacturers offer very similar products in quality and play. However, certain minor differences between their product offerings may sway you one way or the other. We will look at each unique portion of their systems next.

Lifetime Products Indoor Basketball Game

Lifetime Products makes only 1 system, model 90056. This system is a double shot game – meaning 1 or two players can play at the same time. This system has a couple of unique parts to it. First, the 90056 Double Shot uses infrared sensors to track scores. Traditional designs use plastic clickers to track scores. No one system is 100 percent accurate; but, infrared sensors tend to be more accurate tracking scores than plastic clickers. Plastic clickers will regularly get stuck in the down position when the ball goes through the net causing the unit to double or even triple count a score. Infrared sensors do not have that problem, essentially eliminating double and triple counting scores. Next difference for the 90056 is the frame of the unit. The poles used in the game frame are thicker diameter and heavier than other comparable poles from other manufacturers. The larger poles make the game more stable and more durable. Next difference, the frame at the base where the players shoot the balls is wider than other double shot game, sometimes by as much as a foot. This added space provides players more space to shoot and less bumping into one other. Lastly, the 90056 is one of the only Double Shot games to come with 7 basketballs. Other Double Shot games come with 5 or 6. This lower quantity of balls regularly interferes with game play when two players are playing as players fight one another to get the basketballs as they roll down the net. 7 basketballs tends to provide smoother game play, and less fighting between players.

Spalding Pop a Shot Arcade Basketball Game

Spalding currently offers two indoor basketball games, a single shot and a double shot. This immediately differentiates them from Lifetime Products as sometimes you should do not want, or do not have enough space, for a double pop a shot shot game. The single shot game provides the same game play as the double shot game, only with a smaller frame and one basketball hoop to shoot at. Their basketball games use traditional plastic clickers. Their Double Shot game tends to be less exensive than Lifetime Products.

Escalade Sports Arcade Basketball Hoops

Escalade Sports has one of the most diverse product offerings for arcade basketball games. They have single shot and double shot games. Of their double shot games they have several product qualities to choose from. Their lowest end systems would be comparable to Spalding’s Double Shot Game. Their mid-range system would be most like Lifetime’s 90056. They also have a high-end goal with a bulky, sturdy frame in what is called their RhinoPlay series. Their mid-range arcade basketball hoops and high-end goals will typically use infrared sensors to track scoring. Their low-end systems will typically use the plastic clickers to track scores.

Choosing the best system for you

These options for your indoor basketball game provide enough variety that most anyone can find a great system for their needs. Budget conscious purchases will probably want to take a look at Spalding and Escalade games. Quality conscious will want to look at Lifetime and Escalade Rhino Play offerings. Feel free to contact us with any questions not addressed in this post so that we can better assist you in your purchase.

When purchasing an arcade basketball hoop, you have made an excellent decision for a product that can provide you and your family many hours of fun each day. One thing to keep in mind is that when adding electronics to just about anything, you introduce a number of new ways for the product to not work correctly or to break down. Rather than an outdoor, full-size basketball system, which typically falls victim to rust or the elements, an arcade basketball hoop almost always has the electrical parts of the system go bad before anything else. You can, however, plan ahead for this type of damage and breaking down better than most damage to an inground or portable outdoor basketball hoop.

Dealing with defective electronic basketball games

If your product arrives damaged, you might consider contacting the customer during whatever part of assembly you are on while assembling the unit. Many times, defective products are not obvious until you actually try to use them. The good thing is that electronics are less likely to be defective during assembly than other structural components. If you ordered your arcade basketball hoop from Competitive Edge Products, Inc. we can also help you replace the parts through our contacts at the manufacturer for your system. If any component goes defective before the warranty period is complete, but after 30 days from receiving the item, warranty claims are processed directly through the manufacturer.

Dealing with broken parts on your arcade basketball game

If something becomes damaged, via abuse or otherwise, you can order just about any individual part directly from the manufacturer of the system you ordered. Individual parts are not retailed through any dealer and so can only be ordered through the manufacturer. The most efficient way to get this done is through your original assembly instructions. Hold on to those as they will save you lots of time in getting replacement parts from the manfacturer.

Over time, all backboards will wear out. When the time comes, a knee-jerk reaction might be to throw out the old system and look to purchase a whole new system. While, in some cases, this might be necessary, many times you can save considerable amounts of money by simply replacing the backboard of the in ground basketball goal. Lifetime Products makes many of their systems with component backboards that can be purchased retail, rather than replacing the entire goal. Here is the way to determine if your basketball system has a backboard that can be replaced.

What is the backboard material is used on your inground basketball system?

Lifetime in ground basketball systems can have several different backboard materials. Of those, backboards that are made of polycarbonate, acrylic, and polyethylene plastic are replaceable. If your backboard is made with tempered glass, the only way to replace the item is calling in directly to Lifetime Products and order the specific part of your in ground goal. Please note that if your system has a polycarbonate, acrylic, and polyethylene basketball backboard you cannot change these materials to tempered glass. Tempered glass backboards weigh much more than similarly-sized acrylic, polycaronbate, and plastic backboards. The mounting arms for glass backboards are much larger.

What is the shape of your pole?

Now, assuming you have a backboard with the correct backboard material, the next thing we will look at is the shape of your pole. Lifetime makes in ground basketball systems with both round and square poles. The pole shape matters because the mounting bracket that attaches the backboard to the main pole of the system will differ between these two shapes of pole. If your systems has a square pole, the mounting bracket for your backboard will not fit retailed Lifetime backboards; you will have to contact Lifetime customer service to replace it. If your pole is round, than we are still on the right track.

What size of pole do you have on your basketball hoop?

Lifetime basketball systems have several different pole-size options. For their round-shaped poles, options of 2.75-inches, 3-inches, and 3.5-inches are available. To replace your backboard for an in ground basketball goal, you will need a pole size of 3.5 inches. Smaller poles will have smaller brackets that will keep you from fitting retailed replacement backboards. If your pole is smaller in size, you will need to contact Lifetime customer service to replace the backboard. Otherwise, continue forward to the next step.

Do you see a Y-bracket that attaches to the backboard?

The mounting bracket contains several components. One of these mounting brackets that is found on basketball systems with a round pole measuring 3.5-inches in diameter has 4 mounting arms that attach directly to the frame of the backboard. The other design for the same size and shape of pole has 4 mounting arms that come off from the pole of the system and then attach to a Y shaped bracket. The Y-bracket is the last part of the mounting bracket that actually attaches to the backboard. If you see this Y-bracket (it is very obvious, it simply looks like a large capital letter Y), then you can continue to the last step.

How old is your system?

Are you still reading? Good. That means we can be about 90% certain that you have a system that has a replaceable backboard. The last thing to confirm is the age of your system. The mounting brackets have actually changed sizes in the past 10 years. If your basketball hoop is older than that, you can still purchase a retailed backboard, but you will also need to purchase a new Y-bracket. The Y-bracket consists of two parts and can be purchased from Lifetime customer service. If your in ground basketball system is younger than 10 years old, then literally any retailed Lifetime backboard, including ones that are larger or smaller than your current backboard, are going to be compatible with your current system. Please note that even if you have to purchase a new Y-bracket you will still be saving money compared to replacing the entire system.

Lifetime Products can be reached at 1-800-225-3865.

The pole of the basketball system is an important part for obvious reasons; the most obvious reason being it holds the backboard and mounting hardware in position. However, there are also less obvious reasons that might escape some people. With most manufacturers, they will have a series of basketball goal offerings that will increase in quality and size. Thus, the poles of their systems will also differ in quality and size. Other manufacturers will offer basketball poles in only 1 shape, but differ in sizes. We will explore all these options in this part of the basketball hoop purchasing guide.

Basketball pole shape considerations

Basketball pole shapes are typically in one of 3 shapes: square, triangle, and rectangle. The most common of these 3 are square and triangle, and thus we will focus on these two in this article. For the cheaper basketball hoop budget, the most common and affordable will be basketball systems with a round pole. The round shape is easily constructed and uses less metal material than a comparably-sized square pole. On the other hand, more expensive basketball systems tend to have square pole that ultimately get very large the higher up the line you go in price. One consideration that few people realize when choosing a basketball hoop is that the shape of the pole can also determine the stiffness, or rigidity, of the basketball hoop. For instance, a square pole is much more rigid in the ground than a comparably-sized round pole. Thus, if you are wanting a rigid, stiff system, you will want to look for a basketball system with a square pole.

Basketball pole size considerations

Now that we have a good understanding of shape, we will take a look at considerations with the size options for the basketball pole. For most manufacturers offering round poles, the sizes will get as small as a 2.75-inch diameter, and grow all the way up to a 3.5-inch diameter. The larger the pole, the less movement you will see when the basketball system is in use. These round pole sizes will also follow a comparable budget, meaning, the larger the pole diameter, the more expensive the system. For square poles, sizes typically start at a 4×4 and go all the up to an 8×8. Some of these size options are manufacturer specific. For instance, only Spalding has basketball hoop options that have an 8×8-inch pole. Other manufacturers, such as Lifetime, Goalsetter, and Goalrilla, will have basketball pole sizes from 4×4 to 6×6. (Note: Spalding also has 4×4 to 6×6 poles).

Before ordering your basketball hoop, make sure you take the poles size and shape into consideration. If you will not be happy with a particular shape or size, save for the appropriate budget. Basketball hoops are a long-term purchase; better to save and be happy for the long term than impulse purchase a weaker system and regret it for years to come. As always, let us know if you have questions.

To start off this section, we should note that a regulation backboard is 72 inches wide and 42 inches high. Most basketball systems, however, do not have this large of a backboard. There are a large number of mini basketball hoops available, which we will not consider. We will consider basketball hoops made by Lifetime Products, Spalding, Huffy, Goalsetter, and Goalrilla product offerings that have systems that can have the rim reach 10 feet. In this group of available basketball systems, backboards widths can be as small as 44 inches wide and as big as a regulation-sized backboard. Here are some more details for each size group.

Small basketball backboards: 44 inches to 48 inches

Small basketball backboards are typical on basketball hoops priced under $300. These backboard systems will normally be made with plastic, polycarbonate, or acrylic. For these backboard sizes, they are available on inground, portable, and wall-mount basketball systems. The poles on the inground and portable system options will normally be 2.75 inches to 3.5 inches round.

Medium basketball backboards: 50 inches to 54 inches

These mid-sized backboard encompass systems in the both the high end and low end of systems. Basketbal hoops with these backboard sizes are typically priced between $300 to $1199.00. In the cheaper part of that spectrum, the backboards will be made of polycarbonate and acrylic. Those systems with these backboard materials are normally priced below $499.00. Where this backboard size category shifts into the higher-priced systems is when the backboard material is tempered glass. All of the above-mentioned manufacturers will have tempered glass backboard systems in this size category.

Large basketball backboard: 60 inches and 72 inches

These basketball backboards are almost exclusively made with tempered glass, with a few acrylic backboard options. Systems with this size of backboard are also almost exclusively in-ground goals, with only a couple of portable options. Goalsetter, makes a wall-mount backboard system in both a 60-inch and 72-inch backboard size. These basketball systems will also have larger poles (for in-ground and portable options). These poles are typically 5×5 inch and 6×6 inch sizes, with a couple of options with an 8×8 inch size.

Nearly every basketball hoop manufacturer has a height adjustment mechanism of some sort. These height adjustment mechanisms can be as simple as a turn crank, or has complicated as a pneumatic piston lift. This post will discuss the different options available from each of the major manufacturers.

Goalsetter

Goalsetter provides one of the most basic, but effective height adjustment mechanisms. Their height adjuster is a simply crank system. The unique part about their mechanism offering is that you have a choice of an internal or external location for that mechanism. The internal design encloses the majority of the cranking components inside the main pole of the basketball system. Whereas the external deisgn has the majority of the components outside of the pole. The internal design typically costs $100 more for than the external mechanism. Goalsetter is actually one of few manufacturers that also makes a fixed-height backboard system in the high end of basketball goals.

Spalding / Huffy

Spalding and Huffy have several different types of height adjusters. Their most basic mechanism is their pole height adjuster, which requires the use of a broom stick to engage the mechanism. This mechanism is typically referred to as Exacta Height. From there, they have a handle-engaged mechanism that slides up and down a pole system. Lastly, Spalding and Huffy’s high-end goals will have a turn crank mechanism, typically referred to as U-Turn.

Lifetime Products

Lifetime Products, like Spalding, has low-end and high-end basketball goals. Their low-end systems will have a broom-stick enabled mechanism called the Quick Adjust. From there, all the rest of their mechanisms are handle-engaged mechanims. One of these is called the Action Grip, which uses counter-balance springs to raise and lower the backboard in 6-inch increments. The next mechanism up is called the Power Lift, which is a pneumatic device that raised and lowers the backboard height in infinite increments again with the use of a handle. Lastly, Lifetime’s high-end basketball goal line, the Mammoth basketball hoop, uses what is called the Rapid Cam and Mammoth Pump. These are also pneumatic devices engaged by the use of a handle, but are much more robust than the Power Lift mechanism.

Goalrilla

Goalrilla, much like Goalsetter, uses strictly turn cranks to raise and lower backboards. All 3 of their systems will use the same crank, which allows height adjustment mechanism from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in infinite increments.

These are the height adjustment mechanisms available from the major basketball hoop manufacturers. Choose whatever mechansim is best suited for your basketball hoop needs.

As part of your purchasing research for a basketball system you will inevitably run into the question of what backboard material is best. This question is not lost on either low-end or high-end basketball system purchases. So, we will address this questions here. Different manufacturers building basketball backboards with different materials; many manufacturers build systems with with multiple types of backboard materials depending on the system. Typically, your optoins for backboard material will include polyethylene plastic (or similar plastic material), polycarbonate, acrylic, and tempered glass. These backboard materials have many different suppliers and purposes. We will look at them one at a time.

Plastic (polyethylene, eco-composite, etc) Backboard

This type of material is frequently seen on low-end or introductory-level basketball backboards. This is the cheapest material wise and production wise of any of the backboard materials. This product cost allows for these basketball systems to be priced very affordably for most any budget. So, when you think plastic, think budget conscious. The limitations of this material is that they frequently produce the worst rebound; when the ball hits it, it dies on the spot and drops down instead of bouncing off. The plastic material is also much easier to break if the system is used abusively. While not necessary for function, most basketball systems with plastic backboards will have low-end components in the form of smaller poles, weaker high-adjustment mechanisms, and smaller mounting brackets. From here we will visit polycarbonate and acrylic backboard materials.

Polycarbonate and Acrylic Backboard

These two materials are grouped together because they are generally used on systems in the same price range and provide a similar playing experience. These types of backbaord materials have more rigidity than plastic backboards, and thus produce a better rebound. They are clear, which improves the aesthetics of the system. Because these materials are also oil-based, like plastic, they allow the manufacturers still cater to a lower budget. However, nearly every one of these systems will be priced higher than their plastic counterparts.

Tempered Glass

The most frequent high-end backboard material is tempered glass. Tempered glass backboards are typically most desirable due to their more rigid than other backboard materials. The more rigid feel provides for a better rebound when the ball bounces off the backboard. Glass backboards are seen on every high-end basketball system and some intermediately-priced systems. In the same quality and price range, some manufacturers will also offer the same-sized backboard goal system in acrylic too.

Just about every manufacturer of basketball system uses one of these backboard materials on their systems. Use this guide as you shop for just the right basketball backboard for your system.

While this is the first topic we will cover in the basketball hoop purchasing guide series, this is not necessarily the place you need to start with your shopping. The maker of the basketball hoop you are interested in just makes for a great logical sequence to proceed through to discuss the ins and outs of buying an appropriate basketball system for your home or organization. Each basketball hoop manufacturer, if successful, tends to target a particular market segment to fit the needs of a market segment better than anyone else. Thus, if you are wanting a high-end hoop, do not expect to find great options from low-end producers, and vise versa. The following list of common basketball hoop makers will help you sort who caters to your particular needs.

Lifetime Products

Lifetime Products is possibly the largest manufacturer for consumer-end basketball systems in the world. They have accomplished this status through perfecting the basketball hoop features catered to a low-end budget. Do you own, or have you seen, a basketball hoop that can be raised and lowered? Chances are you are looking at a system made by Lifetime Products. Lifetime is who made raising and lower the backboard common place in a residential basketball goal. Lifetime Products has the most extensive product selection in the low end compared to just about any other maker. Their systems can be seen priced as low as $100. Due to their success at the low end, Lifetime has also dabbled in the high end. Their high-end basketball goals are called Mammoth basketball goals. These types of goals are typically priced in the $1000 to $1500 range. Mammoth basketball goals are very comparable to most any other manufacturer of basketball system in the high end of products.

Spalding / Huffy

If you ever see Spalding or Huffy basketball systems, first thing to know is that websites frequently use these names interchangably because they are both owned by Russel Athletics. In general, you will likely see Huffy label on low-end basketball hoops and Spalding on higher-end hoops. However, Spalding goals can be priced anywhere from $250 to $2400. Huffy and low-end Spalding basketball goals typically have a plastic, acrylic, or polycarbonate backboard materials. On Spalding’s high-end basketball systems, the backboards are either tempered glass or acrylic. To know when you have reached the high-end basketball line, you will typically see the brand product name Arena View. The Arena View basketball systems have very comparable specs to the Mammoth basketball line from Lifetime, but also include several models that have larger poles, thicker backboards, and stronger rims.

Goalsetter

Goalsetter is unique among most any high-end basketball hoop manufacturer in that they are one of very few that manufacture their hoops in the United States. Based in Iowa, Goalsetter makes a very unique basketball hoop product. Their poles, which they term as off-set in design, have a portion of the pole that is vertical and an upper portion that angles back. At this part that agnles back and returns to a vertical position, the mounting arms for the backboard come forward back in front of the pole. This type of design is unique to Goalsetter and easily identified when looking for a basketball hoop. One other thing of note with Goalsetter basketball hoops is that each of their systems is available in tempered glass and acrylic.

Goalrilla

Goalrilla makes high-end basketball system with 54, 60, and 72-inch backboard models. Goalrilla also makes a few mid-range systems under the brand name Silverback. Their pole sizes are comparable to Mammoth; however, they differ considerably in their lift mechanisms. All Goalrilla systems will have a bolt-down anchor pole. The 60-inch glass Silverback system will also have a bolt-down anchor kit. All other Silverback systems will have an in-ground pole

Just as a note, there are other basketball hoop manufacturers out there. We have simply covered the major ones. Until next one.