This article is to give parents helpful information to know what the basketball hoop height should be for each age group. This information will put parents in a better position to set their child up for success.
Parents should remember that skill development is extremely important in basketball just like it is in all other sports. Players should stick to the appropriate height by their age to support development and only increase the height as they age, grow taller or master shooting on a specific height.
Basketball Hoop Height:
Before I begin breaking down the appropriate hoop height for each grade I want to talk about the standard basketball hoop height. Adults will play basketball on a ten foot high basketball hoop. This is the norm but children will need to work their way up to this level.
How to Measure the Rim Height:
In the rest of this article I am going to provide you with the appropriate height for each age. I want to make sure you understand what needs to be measured to ensure you have the hoop set at the right height.
Measure from the rim to the ground. Hold the tape measure on the very top of the rim and allow the tape measure to fall all the way down to the ground. Or you could do this from bottom to the top.
Basketball Hoop Height by the Age:
Ages 6 – 7:
The basketball hoop should be set at a height of eight feet for six and seven year old players. This is pretty standard for our younger players. If you don’t have a basketball hoop with a eight feet setting feel free to just lower to the lowest setting possible.
If your six or seven year old is playing in a recreation basketball league they will likely use an eight foot rim. League coordinators will likely use an attachment that affixes to a regulation basketball hoop to modify it to an eight foot hoop. If you are interested in seeing what this looks like or would like to purchase please click on this link. Amazon sells this device so you can use it at home.
Please check out my picks for common basketball training aids suitable for most six and seven year olds.
Ages 8 and up:
The basketball hoop height should be set at ten feet for ages eight and up. This is a large jump from eight feet. The reason is that most recreation leagues don’t have adjustable hoops but understand that eight year olds can still shoot effectively on a 10 foot high hoop.
The recreation leagues do allow the younger ages in this category to use a smaller basketball. This helps compensate for using a regulation size basketball hoop.
If you have a adjustable basketball hoop at home, feel free to lower it for the younger kids allowing them to master their shooting skills.
Parents should work with their child to get them comfortable shooting on a ten foot rim.
Please check out my picks for common basketball training aids suitable for most eight and year olds and up.
Do you have a teenager who wants to increase their basketball skills? Check out my top picks for common basketball training aids and other gear suitable for the older kids
Adjustable Portable Basketball Hoop:
If you are looking for an adjustable basketball hoop for your family I have owned the Lifetime portable and adjustable basketball hoop for almost ten years. Feel free to check out my review here.
I strongly encourage you to purchase a portable adjustable basketball hoop instead of a permanent adjustable basketball hoop if you have younger children.