When you’re looking for the final piece of hardware to complete your basketball goal, you absolutely need to buy the right type of rim. Basketball rims come in a few different varieties, and the type you choose will depend upon the way that you play the game. You’ll want to ensure your goal is perfectly durable, and will stand the test of time. Not purchasing the right equipment can lead to damaging your hoop, and then not being able to play until you have the time to repair the damage. The way to avoid this, and ensure that the play never stops, is by purchasing the right basketball rims for the way that you intend to play.
The first thing to think about however, before purchasing any type of basketball rims, is who you’re installing the hoop for. Children will have different requirements than adults in terms of the equipment that they are best suited for. Adults tend to be more physically competitive, so they need equipment that can stand up to the strength and weight that’s being thrown around the rim itself. With children, the only damage any basketball rims are likely to encounter, is the punishment of the ball banging around. Depending upon who will be playing more, you’ll want to install either a breakaway rim or a standard rim.
Breakaway basketball rims are essential if you’ll be doing a lot of lay-ups or dunking. These are specially designed hoops that provide a certain amount of give when met with a lot of force. This prevents them from getting bent after someone dunks, and also reduces the risk of injury when slamming into a hard surface. Breakaway basketball rims are absolutely necessary for more competitive games where the action will always be close to the hoop. Otherwise there’s an increased risk of injury, as well as damage to your goal from excessive contact with the hoop itself.
If you don’t expect anybody to be dunking, standard basketball rims will be perfectly fine. These are usually made from hard steel, and are intended to stand up strong no matter what the weather can throw at you. They are usually also cheaper than breakaway rims, making them ideal for installing a basketball goal on a budget. A standard hoop is still perfectly durable, and will last you just as long as a breakaway model, you’ll just want to avoid dunking to ensure you don’t damage the rim or backboard.
You can purchase any type of basketball rims backboard included or separately at any sporting goods store. Some great options include Sports Authority, Dick’s Sporting Goods, but rims can even be found at standard department stores like Walmart. Typically a breakaway rim will cost in the area of $30 to $40 with standard basketball rims being about half as much. Remember to ensure that you have the right mounting equipment when purchasing a breakaway hoop however. As you’ll be putting a lot more force and weight onto the hoop, you’ll have to be sure that your mounts can hold.