My son used to hate practicing his three point shooting on outdoor courts at our local park. He used to complain how it was so hard to shoot on the rims there. I remember thinking it was no different than shooting on our hoop in the driveway but the park had more room. But was I wrong? I absolutely was wrong.
Double rims are not ideal for shooters because they are stiff and don’t allow much movement. If you are shooting and the ball touches the rim it is likely to bounce off of the rim and turn into a rebound. Double rims are also rough for layups and dunking because there is not much flexibility for the ball–it is either in the hole or bouncing off the rim.
So does that mean double rims are bad? Not exactly. Double rims are necessary especially at your community park because it helps them last longer. The basketball court at a community park needs a sturdy rim because of the outdoor elements and all of the wear and tear.
When I was growing up I really didn’t realize there were single and double rims. I just knew there were basketball goals and that was about it. But as I got older and became a consumer and basketball coach I realized there are actually several types of rims and I am hoping to help you out by giving you some information that I have learned over the years.
The first thing I want to do is explain the difference between single and double rims.
Single rim:
A single rim is probably the most common type of rim you will see in a driveway in your neighborhood. The single rim is made from steel or sometimes powder coated steel which is lower quality. There are several different types of single rims at varying costs.
| Type of Rim | Quality | Utility |
| Basic steel rim | Good | Personal use; no dunking |
| Slam jam ram | Better | Driveway use |
| Breakaway rim | Best | Everywhere (can also be a double rim) |
Advantages:
The single rim is a shooters best friend! The flexibility provided by the single rim allows shooters a little room for error unlike the double rim that is not forgiving.
The single rim is the best for shooting and overall play. Even basketball players who like to drive should favor the single rim over the double rim because of the flexibility they provide.
Disadvantages:
The single rim may not be as sturdy as the double rim but they are probably the most common type of rim. I have a slam jam single rim that I bought for my kids about seven years ago and it is still in good condition. The single rims will not last as long in the outdoor elements at a public basketball court.
What is a double rim?
A double rim is made with two layers of steel instead of one. They are designed to last through some of the harshest outdoor conditions. You will see these in outdoor courts at community parks. In fact, I would only use a double rim at a public park–to protect the investment.