Basketball Backboards Greatly Affect
the Game
Basketball
backboards are perhaps the most important piece of equipment chosen for playing
basketball. The backboard supports the rim and the net. The backboard also is
the surface that controls how the ball bounces when it is shot and can greatly
impact the quality of the rebounds that come off of it.
Ideally
a basketball backboard is sturdy but not overly rigid. If the backboard is not
sturdy it can deaden the ball and result in weak rebounds. Shots that might
never normally go in the basket may go in and this can affect the integrity of
the game. An overly rigid backboard can have the opposite effect and rebounds
may come off the backboard harder than expected, also greatly affecting the
game.
It may be hard
to believe, but the material chosen for a basketball backboard can greatly
influence the quality of the game of basketball. There are different types of
materials available for manufacturing basketball backboards and they are
usually chosen based on the intended usage of the basketball goal system.
Backboards for Every Situation
Simple
basketball goal systems that are typically used in a backyard or driveway are
generally made from metal, fiberglass, plastic or acrylics. There are more
options for these types of basketball backboards since they should be affordable
and they don't need to be official backboards. Backyard basketball backboards
can be different shapes as well. They can be rectangular or fan shaped and can
be of varying dimensions as well. The overall quality of the backboard can be
greatly affected by the way it is held in place. A quality backboard attached
to a flimsy pole can negate the benefits of choosing a quality backboard. These
types of backboards are also commonly attached to walls.
Professional
and competitive leagues almost always choose to use tempered glass backboards.
High schools, colleges and universities typically choose these types of
backboards as well. The glass backboard is the traditional choice for
competitive leagues because these backboards tend to produce universal
rebounding qualities. This is preferable so that the backboard characteristics
are similar regardless of where the game is actually played making the game as
fair as possible for both teams. Glass backboards are generally only produced
in regulation size which is 72 inches wide and 42 inches high while other types
of backboards can vary significantly in size and shape.
A Backboard for Every Budget
The
different variations in materials that backboards are manufactured from create
a wide range of pricing. Driveway basketball systems tend to be made from the
lower cost materials, but these systems are also available using higher quality
materials that offer a better backboard at a higher price. Acrylic backboards are
clear and give the impression of a glass backboard at a fraction of the price.
The tradeoff is that acrylic is lighter in weight and does not provide the
quality rebounds that glass backboards are known for.
Glass
is the optimal material for backboards and they are also the most expensive
backboards. Tempered glass is considered an investment because they: