SELECTING THE SYSTEM FOR YOU

If you're reading this, chances are you're in the market for a new home basketball system. Before you hit the store, arm yourself with the latest information on today's quality home basketball systems. Don't be fooled into purchasing a low-priced, low-quality basketball unit promising the world. Remember, you get what you pay for! Your family's safety, enjoyment and development are worth investing a little more time and money for a better quality product. Basketball has changed over the past decade and so has the equipment the game is played on. The hoop you had on your driveway as a kid has evolved, and in the process, spawned a new generation of high-tech basketball systems. What does this mean to you the consumer? Now there's a variety of basketball systems on the market to choose from, and to some, it can get complicated when it comes to making a buying decision.

There are five types of home basketball systems on the market today:

• Portable
• Storable
• In-ground
• Backboard and Rim Combination
• Youth

Which is the ideal home basketball system for your family? Your lifestyle, available recreational space and several other elements factor into the equation. Take a moment to read the following descriptions to determine which system is right for you.

PORTABLE Portable basketball systems are a product of the nineties. They offer all the benefits of a full-size, in-ground unit with the convenience of portability. Large front-mounted wheels make moving a unit a snap, giving you the freedom to control your outdoor recreational space. Portable units feature a heavy-duty plastic base that must be filled at assembly with either water or sand. Properly filled, a portable unit should provide a minimum 200 pounds of pullover resistance. Some portable home basketball systems on the market today provide as little as 70 pounds of pullover resistance. Rugged play or strong winds can tip a system that doesn't provide adequate pullover protection. Protect yourself and your child from the hazards of an unstable portable unit that can fall down and cause serious injury. Look on the packaging for a Stability RatingÈ before you purchase a portable basketball unit.

STORABLE Are you looking for a way to store your basketball system during the winter? Do you live in a community that doesn't allow portable basketball systems? If you answered yes to either question, then you're in the market for a storable basketball system. Portable basketball units with a storability feature are the wave of the future. But before you purchase a storable unit, look for these important product features: * For easy assembly, make sure the unit can be assembled using just one tool.
* Find out if the system is easy to prepare for compact storage. A quality system should take less than two minutes to fold down and should require no tools.
* Can the unit be moved even when the base is filled with water or sand? You shouldn't have to empty the base to move the unit. Check out the latest in storable technology, the Double Down™.

IN-GROUND As the name indicates, an in-ground basketball system is anchored in the ground and encased with cement. The advantage of an in-ground system is its stability. Because of an in-ground unit's permanence, make sure you select an area that allows enough room for play and will not interfere with your day-to-day life. Don't install an in-ground system near trees or other shrubbery that may, over time, overgrow the unit. When purchasing an in-ground unit, make sure it comes with a plastic, non-corrosive ground sleeve or an anchor bolt mounting system. A ground sleeve will help ease unit assembly and will help protect the base of the pole from elements that could cause corrosion.

BACKBOARD AND RIM COMBINATION A combination unit comes equipped with a backboard and rim and is mounted directly on a roof, pole or vertical wall. Like an in-ground unit, expect a certain amount of installation time when buying a backboard and rim. To ease the installation of a combination, purchase a universal mounting bracket or Converter™. A universal mounting bracket allows for installation on a wall, slanted roof or pole. The ConverterÈ is a elevator system that allows for seven different height adjustments (maximum 3ft.). Similar to the universal bracket, the Converter™ can be mounted to a 3.5" pole or virtually any type of roof or wall.

YOUTH PORTABLES Developmental youth portable systems are a great way to introduce a young child to the exciting game of basketball. Playing on a full-size unit can sometimes be challenging for a young child. Frustration -- from a lack of success -- can lead to a child's disenchantment with the game. Poor skill development can also result when a small child overexerts to score on a full-size system. If you're ready to start a young child in the exciting game of basketball, a youth system is a smart move. Think of it as training wheels for the game of basketball. Every child needs help getting started. Beginning on a smaller system will help a child develop important game skills and confidence.