If you have a club, camp or any sort of business that caters to those who love playing sports, then basketball equipment is a must. Basketball gear is relatively inexpensive, simple to install and easy to learn how to use. Once you and your staff learn to play with basketball official equipment, you can teach your customers and keep them coming back for hours of fun.

Before you start to use your basketball shooting equipment, you will want to be sure you know how to make the most of it. So when going through the process of basketball equipment education and training, you should:

1. Learn to assemble equipment for basketball;

2. Teach yourself the basics of using basketball training equipment;

3. And take a class that teaches advanced use of basketball equipment.

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Find instructions that explain how to assemble basketball equipment

Indoor or outdoor basketball equipment consists of two basic components--the basketball hoop and the basketball itself. New basketballs arrive full of air and ready to use, although you may want to have a pump handy in case any air leaks out over time. Basketball hoops are a different story. Hoop installation requires specific instructions, at least two people and three or four days to allow for concrete to cure.

I recommend: PlayMaker provides easy-to-follow installation instructions for the basketball hoops that it sells. The instructions give you a good idea of what it takes to install a basketball hoop yourself. They also list what tools are needed. Pro Dunk Hoops has a list of frequently asked questions about basketball hoop installation, such as how much room is needed for the hoop and if professional installation is available.

Learn the basics of using basketball equipment

In order to properly use your basketball equipment, you should learn the basics of the game of basketball. These include the game's rules and simple skills such as shooting, dribbling and playing defense.

I recommend: Check out the website for the National Basketball Association for the official rules of the game. Expert Village from Demand Media contains a series of free videos that will teach you the fundamentals of using basketball equipment.

Get advanced training on using basketball equipment

Once you and your staff have mastered the basics of using basketball equipment, you may want to learn advanced skills such as running plays, setting picks and scoring on fast breaks. This can be especially helpful if your business plans to teach others to play basketball.

I recommend: Local park and rec departments, such as the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, often have classes that teach adults to play basketball. You can also learn advanced skills through videos from companies such as Better Basketball. The videos are great if you are learning to coach.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When digging outside to install equipment for basketball, such as the basketball hoop, be sure to check with local utility companies to make sure no cables or wires are buried underground.
• •  If you will be using the basketball court area for other purposes, then you may want to consider using portable basketball equipment.

Whether you're in charge of a single basketball team or a whole gym or summer camp, good quality basketball gear can really enhance the sport. Getting the equipment for basketball that you need can mean installing a brand new court, or just outfitting your team with uniforms and basketballs.

If you're starting from scratch, you'll need basketball sports equipment like goals and basketballs, as well as basketball training equipment and team gear. Plan ahead when making your purchases for basketball equipment and facilities, especially if you're installing a court or in-ground goal.

When shopping for basketball equipment, check out the following options:

1. Look at court packages for installing a basketball hoops and a court

2. Pick out the type of basketball goal you want

3. Remember accessories and training materials in your search for basketball equipment

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Check out courts when buying basketball sports equipment

Installing a basketball court may be a good option for outfitting basketball sports equipment as long as you have the space necessary. You can choose to install a full-size court or just a half-size court or small area around the goal if you just need to create a flat surface that's safe to play on.

I recommend: Pro Dunk Hoops offers a variety of court packages for outdoor basketball equipment. Versa Court also outfits basketball sports equipment and offers the option of professional or do-it-yourself installation.

Look at different basketball training equipment options

Basketball goals come in a variety of designs, from in-ground outdoor goals to wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted or portable basketball goals. When shopping for equipment for basketball, keep your space needs and installations options in mind.

I recommend: BasketballGoals.com offers an extensive selection of in-ground goals and equipment for basketball. Goalsetter Systems is a good choice if you want to configure your own goal based on a number of factors, including budget, type of goal (in-ground, portable or wall mount), size and backboard material.

Don't forget training accessories and basketball gear

Whether you're outfitting a recreational gym or a complete training camp, you'll want to have a range of basic accessories for basketball. Especially if you need to outfit a basketball team or multiple teams, you'll need to find scoreboards, uniforms and shoes in addition to balls, ball carts and basketball training equipment.

I recommend: Sports Unlimited sells all of the basic basketball equipment you'll need, like ball carts, under-hoop ball returns, scoreboards and protective wall pads. The Youth Basketball of American (YBOA) catalog is a good option if you're looking for uniforms, shoes, and basketballs to outfit a youth team or teams with basketball official equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider both year-round and seasonal needs for your equipment for basketball when purchasing. Portable basketball equipment can sometimes be the best option if you're moving facilities between summer and winter months, while in-ground goals may be better for exclusively seasonal use.

When it comes to equipment, basketball is one of the simplest sports. All you need to play is a ball and a hoop. But over the years, the design of basketball equipment has evolved, resulting in several types of backboards, rims and basketballs. This guide will help you understand the differences between major types of basketball backboards, rims and balls so that you can decide which will be the best to purchase for your business or organization.

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Tempered glass backboard

Tempered glass is the type of backboard used by the National Basketball Association and is considered the best type of backboard. It is scratch-resistant, cleans easily and does not attract mold. Most importantly, it has excellent rebounding characteristics. A tempered glass backboard is typically 1/2 inch or 3/8 inch thick.

I recommend: Check out Pop-A-Shot for examples and descriptions of tempered glass backboards.

Acrylic backboard

An acrylic backboard is made from a clear plastic material. It is lightweight, but the acrylic can scuff over time. Most acrylic backboards are between 1/2 inch and 3/8 inch thick, with the thicker 1/2-inch backboard providing better rebounding.

I recommend: Check out Pro Dunk Hoops for a great comparison of acrylic and glass basketball backboards.

Wall-mounted basketball hoop

A wall-mounted basketball hoop consists of the backboard, net and rim. There is no pole. The hoop can be mounted to the inside wall of a gymnasium or the exterior wall of a building. Brackets extend the hoop away from the wall so players can safely play without hitting the wall.

I recommend: BasketballGoals.com is a good resource for more information about wall-mounted basketball hoops.

Synthetic basketballs

Synthetic basketballs are made with a synthetic leather cover. This helps to enhance a player's grip on the ball and makes the ball more durable when it is being used outside. Synthetic basketballs are typically less expensive than leather basketballs.

I recommend: Sporting Goods Industry has additional information about synthetic basketballs and how they compare to other types.

Leather basketballs

Leather basketballs are the balls traditionally used by college and professional players. The leather cover is stitched together in an eight-panel design. Leather basketballs are more expensive and less durable than synthetic basketballs.

I recommend: Spalding discusses leather basketballs and how they are best used.

Breakaway basketball rim

The basketball rim is the circular piece of metal that the ball passes through when a basket is scored. A breakaway basketball rim will provide flexibility so that it bends or 'gives' when it is hit by the ball or a player's hand.

I recommend: For a complete description of a breakaway basketball rim, as well as a diagram of how it works, check out FreePatentsOnline.

Whether you are a sporting goods store owner or a basketball team purchasing agent, you must prepare your budget to purchase basketball equipment. There are various types of equipment you have to consider besides just basketballs, hoops and nets.

Regardless of the reason for your basketball equipment purchase, you can use the following suggestions to help you accurately plan your budget to absorb basketball equipment pricing and costs.

1. Consider basketball equipment for institutions.

2. Provide basketball equipment for residential use.

3. Promote safety with basketball equipment padding.

4. Tally up the cost of scoreboards and shot clocks.

5. Plan for the recurring cost of basketballs.

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Budget for institutional basketball equipment

Institutional basketball equipment is equipment that is made for use on public courts and professional, semi-pro, collegiate and high school courts. Some institutional equipment is sold in packages with a backboard and rim. However, it isn't uncommon to find backboards and rims sold separately.

I recommend: MC Sports sells institutional basketball equipment. Prices range from $79 to $300. Anaconda Sports sells a variety of basketball gear. Prices vary according the product. For example, basketball rims start at around $50 for a basic front mounted rim.

Consider the cost of residential basketball equipment

If you own a sporting goods store, offering residential basketball equipment allows you to appeal to a larger customer base. Offer indoor and outdoor hoops, as well as portable and pool hoops to meet the needs of any customer.

I recommend: Sports Unlimited sells residential basketball hoops. Portable basketball equipment starts at around $500. Sports Authority sells outdoor basketball equipment. For example, pool side basketball equipment starting at around $25 for arcade style floating goals.

Price padding for basketball equipment

Because of the fast pace of basketball games, players sometimes run into the goal post or the wall behind the goal. In order to minimize the risk of injury from these accidents, you should place padding in these areas.For the most part, padding is a 'once-in-a-while' expense because with proper care, these only have to be replaced every 7 to 10 years.

I recommend: Mansion Athletics is a basketball equipment supplier that offers wall padding starting at around $150. Dazadi sells equipment for basketball, including a variety of padding supplies. Aluminum padding strips cost around $40. Pole pads start at around $45 and backboard padding starts at around $125.

Add scoreboards to your list of basketball equipment

Scoreboards are a necessary item for any competitive basketball game. For small games, table top and manual flip boards are suitable. However, for highly competitive games, electronic score boards are vital. Additionally, your team may need shot clocks to ensure a fair game.

I recommend: Dick's Sporting Goods offers basketball sports equipment, including scoreboards for sale. These are priced starting at $35 for manual flip boards and $400 for electronic boards. Modell's sells a varied selection of basketball scoreboards and shot clocks. Shot clocks starting around $450, while scoreboards range from under $50 to over $600.

Factor the cost of basketballs into the basketball equipment budget

The cost of basketballs may not seem like it will take up a significant portion of the basketball equipment budget. However, once you consider the large number of balls you will use throughout the season, the cost will skyrocket. Practice balls and game balls should all be included in this portion of the budget.

I recommend: Joe's Sports sells basketball training equipment, as well as basketballs approved for competition. These balls are priced from $10 to $60. Korney Board Aids sells a varied selection of basketballs. These are priced starting at $6 per ball for team spirit balls, which are customizable. Regular balls start at around $35. Quantity discounts are available.