Member Area Resources - Risk Management
Basketball Rings

Basketball rings and backboards – mandatory standards

There have been a number of deaths and injuries resulting from the collapse of a basketball support column or wall.

 

The main hazards associated with basketball rings are:

• inappropriate installation of basketball rings combined with the act of slam dunking
• installation of basketball rings over home garage doors, where brick structures can be thin and weak.

The practice of slam dunking places the full weight of the basketball player onto the ring. Serious injuries can occur where walls or posts cannot cope with the stress of slam dunks. These structures can collapse, exposing the player to falling bricks, posts, ring or backboard. For many, the potential hazard of a collapsing wall is not apparent, particularly when the ring is attached to a seemingly solid brick wall.