Not all Lifetime basketball backboards are the same, and not all mounting braackets on Lifetime basketball systems are the same either. Below, I have compiled a list of frequently asked questions concerning replacing and purchasing a backboard for a Lifetime basketball hoop.

1. Will this Backboard work with my system?

This question is most frequently asked when replacing a broken backboard. First step to knowing if a certain Lifetime backboard will work on your system is to know if your current system is made by Lifetime Products. If it is, then we are on the right track. Lifetime basketball backboards will not work when used on any other basketball system made by a different manufacturer. Next, what is the size and shape of your main pole on your system? For this question we are wanting to see 3.5-inch round. This size and shape of pole insures that the width of the mounting bracket is compatible with the width of the mounting uprights on your replacement Lifetime basketball backboard. Lastly, can you see a “y-shaped” bracket that attaches to the back of your current backboard. This bracket is what will be used to attach to your new backboard; thus, if you do not have a y-shaped bracket on your current basketball hoop, the bracket will not be able to attach to the new backboard your order.

2. What size of backboard do I need?

While it is always safe to maintain the same sizes when replacing a backboard, it is actually not neccessary with dealing with Lifetime basketball backboards. For instance, if you successfully answered the questions asked in FAQ 1 above, then your current pole and bracket system can accept any backboard sized 44 inches wide to 54 inches wide. All of these backboard sizes have the same bracketing design.

3. Which kind of basketball backboard is best?

This question deals with the different materials and design featuers used on Lifetime backboards. Backboard materials range from plastic framed in plastic to acrylic framed in plastic to polycarbonate framed in steel. Whenever budget permits, always get a Lifetime backboard framed in steel. The steel frame makes the backboard much more rigid and will thus produce a better rebound when the ball bounces off. A plastic framed backboard absorbs a lot of the impact of the ball and will thus weaken the bounce. Steel frames are the way to go

Where to go from here:

You can check out our entire line of available Lifetime replacement basketball backboards here and start finding the right one for you. If you need some assistance determining which backboard will be best for you, or if you have any compatibility questions, you can reach us at 1-866-308-5484.

The first thing to know when searching for a replacement backboard is to know who manufactures your current system. This is important because you will need to match up manufacturers when you get a new backboard system; i.e., Lifetime Products basketball systems with Lifetime Basketball Backboards, and Spalding / Huffy basketball backboards with Spalding / Huffy basketball systems. If you do this, you have fought half the battle.

The next thing to consider is the size of the pole of your current system. We usually are asked why that matters when we tell customers they need to know that spec before they shop for a backboard. The answer is that the replacement basketball backboards mount to your pole based on the mounting arms, which are specific to the size of the pole. In other words, the mounting arms on a system are sized based on the size of the pole; and, the basketball backboards available are mountable only to certain sized poles. In the case of Lifetime Products, if you have a pole that measures 3.5″ in diameter (about 11″ in circumfrence”), any of the available Lifetime backboards should be adaptable to that system. In the case of Spalding / Huffy, it is a little more tricky. The concern is still to figure out what size pole you have, but from there you will almost always need some kind of reassurance from Huffy / Spalding. For these systems, either a 3.5″ diameter round pole or a 4″ square pole will typically work for their replacement backboards. If you have either of these, you should be fine with at least one of the models we carry. We typically then give you the model numbers that will work based on your pole size, and then we will have you call Huffy / Spalding just to verify if they will work with your system. Once you have their okay, you can feel free to order.

Last thing to consider is the age of your system. Typically, manufacturers do not change the configuration of their systems much as that will limit their sales in the future. However, over time certain designs are improved upon and other systems will go obsolete. If you system is 7 years or younger, you should be safe with just replacing the backboard. However, if you system is older you may need to replace the mounting brackets as well. Both Lifetime Products and Huffy / Spalding produce mounting brackets for their systems that will mount to an existing pole.