Basketball backboard systems come in a variety of specifications, depending on different factors, including how much space you have, where you are going to mount the backboard and whether the height of the backboard is adjustable. Professional leagues have specifications for the shape and size of the backboard.
NBA Regulations
According to the official National Basketball Association rulebook, NBA backboards must measure 6 feet horizontally by 3.5 feet vertically. The rectangle must be flat and transparent, with a 2-inch wide white rectangular box centered behind the rim, measuring 24 inches tall and 18 inches long.
Material
Typically, backboards are made of either a glass or acrylic material and measure a half-inch or three-eighths of an inch thick. Advanced players typically use the costlier, half-inch material.
Size Variations
While standard NBA backboards measure 72 inches wide, there are smaller backboards available for youth players or if you do not have as much space. These backboards typically are either 54 or 60 inches wide.
Height Adjustment
For official play, the backboard must be positioned so that the top of the rim sits exactly 10 feet off the ground. Many older backboards are at this fixed height, but many newer systems are adjustable so that the rim can be lowered to between seven and 10 feet. Some youth leagues play with a lower rim, and very young players might benefit from a lower rim to develop their shooting.
Mount Type
The backboard has to be affixed to the support pole and there typically are two ways that manufacturers do this. One way is for support arms to come out of the side of the backboard and extend toward the pole, with one reaching each corner; this type is typically called a four-corner mount. The other type of mount looks more like a capital letter "H:" The pole is attached to the center of the backboard with four support arms. The four-corner mount allows for greater visibility through the back of the backboard and is typically used in an arena setting.
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