Some may think you can’t start playing basketball until you are old enough or tall enough to shoot on a ten foot rim but that is so far from the truth. Basketball is a fun and exciting sport which can be enjoyed by people of all ages to include six year olds. So if you have a six year old you may ask yourself the following question. What is the basketball hoop height for a six year old? The easy answer is that the basketball hoop height should be about eight feet tall for six year olds. But on the other hand there are so many variables when answering this question so I am going to break down some of 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 six years old I had an adjustable basketball hoop that would go from six 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 a six 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 the height your six year old will be working towards but c’mon let’s face it–a ten foot rim is just too high for a six year old!
What should the basketball hoop height be for a six year old?
A six year old is not quite strong enough to effectively shoot on a ten foot rim so it is important that we set them up for success. The basketball hoop should be set at eight feet for a six year old or the lowest height on your basketball hoop. This is easy to do if you have an adjustable basketball hoop because the eight foot mark is typically the shortest possible height when you lower the hoop.
Why should the basketball hoop height be 6 feet for a six year old?
The age of six is a great time to start playing basketball and at this age your player can really start forming good habits. An eight foot basketball hoop should be short enough for your six year old to reach when shooting the ball. 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.
If your kid is like any other kid he or she will be eager to raise the rim to the next level. My kids always wanted to raise the hoop to the next level. But I started to notice them using improper shooting form, like shooting with two hands to generate enough strength to reach the rim. There is nothing wrong with this but proper shooting form is so important and that is why keeping the rim height at eight feet is good for a six year old.
If your six year old wants to raise the rim it is probably because they don’t feel challenged or want to advance too quickly. My recommendation is to find a way to challenge them. Work on shooting form. Get them shooting with the proper form and once they are comfortable make it harder.
Oddly enough when they are younger they want to raise the rim and as they age they want to raise the rim! The point I am trying to make is that shooting form is incredibly important for a six year old. Younger shooters can quickly succumb to poor shooting habits when they trade bad form to prove to themselves that they can shoot on higher hoops.
Basketball hoop height for six 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. So if you sign your six year old up for a youth basketball league how high will the basketball hoop be?
Another option you may see is the use of an attachment that includes a rim and backboard that attaches to the ten foot hoop (pictured below). This allows for the kids to have a hoop that is eight feet in height.
You can purchase this for your home basketball hoop but I will caution you – it is very HEAVY! If interested, click on the picture below.
What if I don’t have an adjustable rim for my hoop?
If you only have a regulation size basketball hoop at home they do make these available for sale.
Basketball hoop height considerations:
Basketball shooting fundamentals are paramount. The height of the hoop should not really depend on the age of the player but skill level. If your six year old has sweet shooting form and they are knocking down buckets you could consider raising the rim.
What if eight feet is too high?
Your six year old may not be able to shoot on an eight 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 if eight feet is too short?
Some six year olds are just plain tall or have a little more experience and might be ready to raise the height of the basketball hoop. If they use solid shooting fundamentals and they are scoring you should consider raising the height.
When is it time to raise the hoop?
Six year old basketball players need to develop their shooting skills before you can raise the hoop. Most six year olds won’t be able to raise the height of the hoop until they are about eight years old. But if your kid is knocking them down because they have simply built up the appropriate strength then go ahead and raise the hoop. Raise the hoop to nine feet. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t sacrifice shooting form.
What kind of basketball hoop should I buy?
If you plan to purchase a basketball hoop for your six 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 six 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.
I have owned the Lifetime portable and adjustable basketball hoop for almost ten years. Feel free to check out my review here.
THE IDEAL BASKETBALL HOOP HEIGHT FOR A SIX YEAR OLD
