The height of a basketball hoop should be set at ten feet for an eight year old. Now, of course there are some exceptions to this suggestion.
Basketball is a fun and exciting sport which can be enjoyed by people of all ages to include eight year olds. So if you have an eight year old you may ask yourself the following question. What is the basketball hoop height for an eight year old? The easy answer is that the basketball hoop height should be at ten feet tall for eight year olds. But on the other hand there are so many variables when answering this question that I decided to write an article to better explain why I think the basketball hoop height should be ten feet for an eight year old. Keep reading to hear my thoughts on this subject and hopefully give you a better answer to this question.
My kids started playing basketball before they even entered school and continue to play well into their teenage years. Basketball is a fun sport but it is more fun when the hoop is within reach for the little ones. When my kids were eight years old I had an adjustable basketball hoop that would go from eight to ten feet. This gave me the flexibility to adjust it based on their skill level and for each child–I had three kids at different ages!
Regulation Size Basketball Hoop:
Before we talk about how high the basketball hoop should be for an eight year old, let’s talk about regulation height for a basketball hoop. The height for a regulation basketball hoop is ten feet. This is what the NBA, college and most recreation leagues use. This is also the height your eight year old will use in most recreational basketball leagues and should be used for practice.
What Should The Basketball Hoop Height Be For An Eight Year Old?
Most eight year olds who have a little bit of experience should be able to shoot on a ten-foot rim. But if they are not quite strong enough to effectively shoot on a ten foot rim it is ok to lower the rim on an adjustable hoop to set them up for success.
Why Should The Basketball Hoop Height Be Ten Feet For An Eight Year Old?
The age of eight is a great time to start playing basketball and at this age your player can really start forming good habits.
Your eight year old should be strong enough to shoot the basketball on a basketball hoop that is set at ten feet. It might be a little difficult at first but with practice he or she will be successful. Keep in mind, just because this is the recommended height it does not mean it won’t be a challenge.
Basketball Hoop Height For Eight Year Olds In A Youth Basketball League:
Most youth basketball leagues are played at a community center or local school gym. These hoops are typically not adjustable. How high will the basketball hoop be in if you sign your eight year old up for a youth basketball league? The height of the hoop will more likely than not be set at ten feet.
What If Ten Feet Is Too High?
Keep in mind that it is ok to lower the rim if your eight year old can’t reach the rim or needs to develop a little more confidence at a lower height. The objective is to set it at the height that fosters development for your player.
Additionally, your eight year old may not be able to shoot on a ten foot high basketball hoop but before you give up and wait until he or she is taller try this trick. Have them stand next to the hoop while facing the backboard. Teach them the basic fundamentals of shooting, especially how to use their knees to shoot the ball. The objective is to get them to hit the backboard and let the bounce do the rest. This will be a game that challenges them and with enough practice they will eventually build up the strength needed to score a basket.
What Kind Of Basketball Hoop Should I Purchase?
If you plan to purchase a basketball hoop for your eight year old chances are you want it to last for several years. I suggest looking for an adjustable hoop. An adjustable basketball hoop is simply a basketball goal that can be adjusted from approximately eight feet to ten feet. This is what I did for my kids. Adjustable hoops allow you to move the basketball hoop height up and down as your child gets older. It can also be super convenient if you have children with varying ages. Adjustable hoop portable basketball hoops are very common and you can pretty much find them at any sports store or even online.
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.
