These wall mount hoops are generally equipped with 60” to 72” glass backboards, spring rims, and backboard pads.  They typically provide an offset from the wall of 24” to 36”.  Most designs provide rim heights of 6’ up to 10’.  These goals are a fine option for players just looking to practice free throws and 3 point shots.  However, they’re not well suited for lay ups or dunks, as the offset from the wall is unsafe.  The other concern with this style of goal is that the wall attachment points are too close together.  This concentrates  all of the weight of the goal into a small portion of the wall, rather than spreading the load over a larger area.  Unfortunately, this led to a horrible death in 2018, when one of these types of hoops fell off a wall and killed a 14 year boy.  You can read more about this story here.  Due to our safety concerns about this type of basketball hoop, we do not offer this option to our customers.

The stationary wall mount goal is the  most popular option for serious athletes who don’t want any performance reduction.  These goals are outfitted with professional glass backboards and come with numerous rim options.  And, unlike the residential hoops listed above, the stationary wall mounts are capable of having offsets from the wall of up to 12’.  These goals are designed for all levels of play, from grade school children to NBA pros.

3 Point vs 4 Point Backstop

The wall attachment framework is available as a 3 point or 4 point connection.  With the 3 point design, 2 pipes connect the upper corners of the backboard, while a 3rd pipe connects at the bottom, directly behind the rim.  This is the strongest possible configuration, as all of the load on the rim is carried by the backstop, rather than by the backboard.  The 4 point connection is not as strong, as there is no backstop framework behind the rim.   With the 4 point design, the corners of the backboard are supported.  To the casual observer, 4 seems better than 3.  However, support behind the rim is superior to support at the lower corners, since all of the load is applied to the rim.  Providing support behind the rim reduces the risk of shattering glass.  Indeed, we have never had a glass backboard shatter with a 3 point backstop or when a height adjuster is added.  See Height Adjuster below.

The side fold wall mount hoop is a great option when the gym is mixed use.  This system includes the same high performance backboards and rims as the stationary wall mount, but with the added feature of folding the backboard close to the wall.  These units can be installed to fold either to the right or to the left.  And, the wall offset can be anywhere from 4’ up to 12’.  The backstop on side fold systems are 4 point, which connect to the corners of the backboard.  Therefore, we only recommend a side fold hoop with a strong steel framed backboard or with a height adjuster.  The LXP4200 steel framed glass backboard from Gared Sports provides the greatest strength of any backboard on the market today.  Indeed, we have never seen this model shatter.  Adding a height adjuster provides additional support to reduce the shatter risk.  Please see the height adjuster section below.  These goals are designed for all levels of play, from grade school children to NBA pros.

The fold up wall mount goals are another great option for mixed use facilities.  Fold up systems include the same high performance backboard and rim options as the stationary wall mount and side fold mount systems.   But, unlike the other goals in this wall mounted basketball hoop buying guide, fold up units require a winch or hoist to raise and lower the backboard.  The hoist is available as a manual worm gear winch or an electric hoist.  The wall offset for a fold up basketball goal can be anywhere from 4’ up to 12’.  The backstop on fold up systems are 4 point, which connect to the corners of the backboard.  Therefore, we only recommend a fold up system with a strong steel framed backboard or with a height adjuster.  The LXP4200 steel framed glass backboard from Gared Sports provides the greatest strength of any backboard on the market today.  Indeed, we have never seen this model shatter.  Adding a height adjuster provides additional support to reduce the shatter risk.  Please see the height adjuster section below.  These goals are designed for all levels of play, from grade school children to NBA pros.

Worm Gear Winch vs Electric Hoist

If cost is the only consideration, then go with a worm gear winch.  However, for ease of use, there’s no beating the electric hoist.  Aside from the cost difference, you should also consider these items when trying to choose between manual and electric:

1. Frequency – are you frequently raising and lowering your backboard? If yes, then the electric hoist is quick and easy to operate, as the motor is powered on and off with a key switch.  On the other hand, the worm gear winch is manually operated with a hand crank.  It can also be operated with a modified slow speed high torque electric drill.  But, this requires a power cord and the drill.  A light weight stock battery powered drill will not suffice.  This video shows operation with an electric hoist.
2. Wiring – If running wiring to the electric hoist is not possible, then the manual worm gear winch is the only option. The electric hoist is outfitted with a 4 prong twist lock plug that fits a corresponding 4 prong twist lock outlet.  Power to the outlet is controlled by the key switch mounted elsewhere in the wall.  Adding the necessary junction boxes and wiring is a piece of cake, if done during building construction.  But, adding these things after construction is more difficult.  This type of work may also requires the services of a licensed electrician, depending upon the building codes in your area.

The height adjusters available for the wall mount basketball goals are available as manual or electric.  The height adjusters lower the rim from 10’ to 8’ and can be stopped at any point in between.  The manual height adjusters are operated with a long hook that engages the bottom of the height adjuster.  The electric systems come with a motor and key switch and operate similarly to the electric hoists used on the fold up goals.  You can see this functionality in this video.

Height Adjusters incorporate a Direct Mount Bracket.  This is a industry term used to describe a mounting configuration where the rim bolts pass through the backboard and into a structural bracket.  Forces applied to the rim are transmitted into the direct mount bracket, which greatly reduces the risk of shattered glass.  Indeed, we are unaware of any of our clients who have had broken glass when a direct mount bracket and height adjuster are installed.

Height adjusters can be added to any of the stationary, side fold, or fold up hoops.  All of the wall mount packages provide the option to add a height adjuster.