When you're shooting hoops or playing a casual game of basketball, a net isn't a necessity. On some outdoor courts, you'll find that once-existing nets have become withered or disintegrated because of the weather. But in organized, competitive games and most pick-up games, a net 15 to 18 inches in length hangs from each basket, serving several purposes.
Keeping the Ball In Play
The net on a basketball rim keeps the ball from carrying out of the playing area after going through the basket. This is especially important when the hoop sits on a hillside. Nothing breaks up the flow of a game like frequent 30-second delays while the ball is retrieved.
Identifying Made Shots
If you've ever played on a court with hoops lacking nets, you've probably disagreed as to whether a shot went through the goal. From certain angles, it can be difficult to tell an air-ball from a made shot. With a net on the rim, subjective viewpoints are removed from the equation. When a shot is made, anyone can easily see the net move and the ball's earthbound path slow momentarily as it passes through.
The "Swish"
Everyone who plays basketball loves the look and sound of a "swish," which is the result of a perfectly placed shot as it rips through the net. The swish is considered the ultimate reward for a shooter in basketball, not only because of the pleasing sound and the net's reaction, which resembles that of water splashing, but it only occurs when a shot doesn't touch any part of the rim before going through.
Aiming
A wide school of thought exists when it comes to aiming your jumpshot in basketball. Some players eye the back of the rim, others aim for the front, and others still focus in on the center of the hoop. If you're in the latter group, the net might help you train your eyes on the middle of the goal and aim your shot.
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