What Is Cornhole? History and How to Play Like a Pro

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April 18, 2022

If you live in the United States, particularly in the Midwest region, you’ve probably heard of cornhole. Many people know it as a fun game. But what is cornhole, exactly?

What Is Cornhole?

If you have an interest in learning more about the game of cornhole, the first thing you need to know is the answer to the question, “What is cornhole?”

Cornhole is a game that’s actually gone by several other names. These include corn toss, bean toss, Indiana horseshoes, soft horseshoes, and bean bag game.

However, to people around Kentucky and Southern Ohio, where the game found its inception in the United States, it’ll always be cornhole. So what is cornhole?

If you’ve ever played horseshoes, cornhole is pretty similar to that. It’s all about aim, just like horseshoes. You’re just trying to throw an object to a specific location in both games.

With horseshoes, you’re tossing horseshoes and trying to get them to land around metal stakes in the ground. With cornhole, you’re throwing bags of corn at a cornhole platform. Both games involve aim and precision, and both games can be a lot of fun!

Cornhole platforms are raised wooden platforms. Each platform has a hole at the far end. A team gets the point for having their corn bag land on the platform, and they get three points for actually getting a bag into the hole.

The game continues until one team reaches 21 points and ends up winning the game. You can play it either as singles or doubles if you’re playing tournament-style. However, you can also play it casually and make up your own rules.

The History of Cornhole

Now, you have an answer to the question, “What is cornhole?” However, you probably want to know a little bit more about the history of the game as well.

You can’t have a thorough answer to “What is cornhole?” without knowing at least something about the origins of the game.

The original cornhole game

The truth is that there’s no clear answer when it comes to the origin of this game. A popular legend is that Mr. Matthias Kuepermann, a cabinet maker in 14th century Bavaria, Germany, invented the game after seeing local children tossing rocks into a groundhog’s hole.

As legend has it, Kuepermann was apparently so concerned for their safety, throwing rocks, that he designed a similar, yet safer game for them to play.

Supposedly, he used bags of corn because corn was so abundant; it was actually more common at the time for people to use it as a weight than as a food. Also, he thought that a bag of corn would be much safer to throw than a rock.

Of course, this story is folklore, but it’s a fun little tale.

However, this isn’t the only story. Some people will claim that the Blackhawk Native American tribe in the state of Illinois created cornhole.

Apparently, they used dried animal bladders that were stuffed with corn. Yet others believe that the game came about somewhere in Cincinnati or in the foothills of Kentucky.

Modern-day cornhole

Folklore aside, Cornhole really only became popular in the United States in the early 2000s. Specifically, it emerged as a common pastime in Cincinnati. To this day, it’s extremely popular in Cincinnati and its southern neighbor, Kentucky.

Once it found its inception in the midwestern U.S., cornhole spread like wildfire. People started playing it in their backyards, at lakeside beaches and campgrounds, and even in breweries and bars.

In fact, it’s even a common pastime in NFL parking lots before football games. Many people play these at pre-game tailgating parties.

Fans of the Cincinnati Bengals started this trend outside the Bengals stadium, and it apparently spread from NFL parking lot to NFL parking lot throughout the country.

Today, you can buy the supplies for a cornhole game in many possible forms. They have platforms and bags in all sorts of different designs and with different kinds of logos.

In addition, there are portable versions of cornhole that you can take on vacation, floating versions for swimming pools, and even a mobile app.

In fact, there’s actually such a thing as professional cornhole. The American Cornhole Association is the official organization that promotes the game and facilitates tournaments.

Even though there’s some debate surrounding where cornhole started, there’s no denying that it’s a force to be reckoned with all over the U.S. today.

Reasons to Play Cornhole

It’s always a good idea to get to know a few things about cornhole, in addition to the answer to the question, “What is cornhole?” For example, why should people play cornhole, of all the games out there?

For one thing, anyone can play cornhole. People of all ages can enjoy this game, and you don’t need to be an athlete either. The game can be either casual or competitive, and it can be enjoyable either way.

Cornhole is easy to learn for anyone since the rules are relatively simple. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t make it challenging.

Your side alternates with your opponent’s side when it comes to throwing the eight corn bags, and there are plenty of opportunities to exercise different throwing strategies that allow you to develop your skills.

If you’re looking for an outdoor game, this is a great choice. You just need the platforms and the bags of corn. Once you have those supplies, it takes about two minutes to set up the entire game.

Cornhole is a great game that you can play with your family and friends. The whole experience can be really laid back and relaxed, giving everyone plenty of time to bond and spend quality time together while playing.

According to the American Cornhole Association:Horseshoes require a sand pit and are hard for the kids to pitch. Lawn darts require a lawn and hasn’t been seen since the 70’s (sic), ring toss was made for children, and bean bags are for wimps; cornhole is the game for everyone!

Cornhole: The Basic Rules

Now, you know quite a bit about both the history of cornhole and the answer to the question, “What is cornhole?”

However, to have a complete picture of the answer to that question, you should know the basic rules of the game. The rules are not hard to learn, and it’s really the type of game that anyone can play.

Setup

The setup for the game of cornhole is straightforward. All you need are the cornhole boards and bags. You also need to make sure that you have a reasonably flat playing field, whether it’s indoors or outdoors.

As you already know, the cornhole boards are platforms. They slope down towards the front, and each has a hole at the back high end.

The surface of each cornhole board should be 2 feet by 4 feet. You should place them both lengthwise on a flat surface, front to front, 27 feet apart. If you’ve set them correctly, the holes will each be at the far ends of the playing surface.

As for the cornhole bags, they should each be 6 inches by 6 inches. They should also each contain 1 pound of corn. There should be eight bags total, four of each color; each color represents one of the two players or teams during any given turn.

Rules of play

Typically, you can play cornhole either as singles or doubles. If you’re playing as singles, you really only need one board. You and your opponent can stand 27 feet away from the board in order to throw the corn bags.

However, if you’re playing doubles, which is more common, you and your teammate actually stand on opposite sides. You and one of your opponents stand next to one cornhole platform, and your teammate and another opponent will stand next to the other one. Each team will have four corn bags of the same color, with all eight bags starting out at one side.

One team will go first; you can decide this using a coin flip or some other method of everyone’s choice. The member from the team who’s going first who’s next to the cornhole bags will throw a bag at the opposite cornhole platform. He or she will need to throw from a position behind the front of the cornhole box from which they are throwing.

Then, the other player on the same side from the opposing team will do the same. They’ll continue to take turns until all eight bags are on the other side. At this point, the players will determine the number of points earned, and it’ll be the other team’s turn.

If the cornhole player steps too far forward while throwing, or if a player goes out of turn, that’ll be considered a foul.

Scoring

Cornhole scoring is fairly straightforward. If a player gets a bag into the hole on the opposite cornhole platform, that team will score three points.

If the bag makes it onto the platform but doesn’t go into the hole, is hanging into the hole, or is hanging off the platform but not touching the ground, the team gets one point.

They get no points if the bag is somehow touching the ground or resting on another bag that’s touching the ground.

The team with the highest score for that round adds the difference of the two teams’ scores to their total score for the entire game. If both teams are tied, the game score stays the same. Also, the winning team in that round gets to throw first in the next round.

When one team reaches the score of 21, that team wins, and the game is over.

Better than a Hole in One!

As you can see, there is a lot worth knowing about the game of cornhole, outside of the basic answer to the question, “What is cornhole?” It’s a reasonably simple game that you can play at a variety of levels, from extremely casual to tournament-level competitive. It’s a great way to bond with your loved ones.

If you want to enjoy the outdoors, this is a fun way to go about it. You don’t need to take that much effort to set up cornhole, and you only need the basic supplies. Just those basic supplies and a couple of minutes to set up the game can lead to an entire day of fun!

So what is cornhole, exactly? It turns out that it’s a game with a fascinating history that gives you the chance to have an enjoyable present. No matter who’s around, anyone can definitely enjoy cornhole!

What do you have to say about our answer to the question, “What is cornhole?” Let us know by leaving a comment!

How to Play Slip and Slide Kickball for the Whole Family to Enjoy

By

Winford Cipriano

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April 11, 2022

It’s the middle of the summer, and you want to find a way to beat the heat. Your entire family’s around, so it would be great if you could find something that you could all do together. Guess what? Slip and Slide Kickball is a great option!

This game lets you all get some exercise, and it’s perfect for a hot day when you want a fun way to cool down. This game is easy to learn, not to mention fun for everyone.

If you have an interest in learning how to play Slip and Slide Kickball, it’s really not that hard. You can figure it out, and then use it to keep cool on any hot, humid day with loved ones!

What Is Slip and Slide Kickball?

Before learning how to play Slip and Slide Kickball, it would help to learn what it is. Basically, it’s kickball with a fun, cool twist.

The game involves kickball just like you’re used to playing it. However, instead of running through grass or on a field, you slide down slip and slides. The baselines are slip and slides, and the bases are kiddie pools.

Other than the extra equipment that you’ll need and the way that the baselines and bases are going to affect the game, it’s just like a regular game of kickball. Of course, you’ll want to wear clothes that you don’t mind getting wet!

How to Set up Slip and Slide Kickball?

If you want to play Slip and Slide Kickball, there are few things you need to take care of first. You need all the equipment to be able to set it up properly. You also want to make sure that you have a big enough playing space, whether it’s your backyard or the local park.

Before setup

You’ll need to gather certain materials to build your Slip and Slide Kickball field. They should be relatively inexpensive if you have to buy them, although you might be able to find some of them lying around in your house.

Supplies

You’ll need the following:

Four slip and slides or four plastic drop cloths
Four kiddie pools
20 tarp stakes
Spray paint
A kickball
Multiple garden hoses and a fresh water source
10 bottles of dish soap or laundry detergent

Once you have all of these items, you can start the setup process. You also want to make sure that you have a big enough space to lay everything out.

Other considerations

Kickball diamonds are usually 60 feet by 60 feet, but you may not have enough room for this in your backyard. Many slip and slides are between 15 and 25 feet long, although you can make them much longer with plastic drop cloths if you want to do so. Just make sure that all four are the same length. You also want to leave plenty of room for the outfield.

If you have a very limited amount of space, you can use Banzai’s Homerun Splash Baseball Slide to set up your Slip and Slide Kickball field. It’s basically a slip and slide square that’s 14 feet long on each side. It comes with a bat, but if you’re playing kickball, you can use either a kickball or an inflatable beachball instead.

Another thing you can do is add in a few garden hoses, sprinklers, or sprinkling hoses. That will help keep the slides wet and keep everyone cool even when they’re not actually sliding.

In addition to making sure you have enough space, make sure that everyone’s wearing appropriate clothing. Old casual clothing would be best. Slip and Slide Kickball is a lot of fun, but you’ll be getting water and probably mud on your clothes!

Setup

If you’ve ever seen a kickball diamond, you can probably figure out pretty easily how to set this game up. Start by laying out the slip and slides or plastic drop cloths on the grass, at 90-degree angles to one another so that they form a square. Then, place the kiddie pools at the corners, where the bases are going to be.

The slip and slides are probably not going to stay in place on their own, especially when people are constantly sliding down them. That’s why you need the tarp stakes. Use the tarp stakes to anchor the slip and slides or drop cloths into the ground.

Make sure you nail these stakes deep into the ground so that they don’t come to the surface and injure someone who happens to fall down.

Also, pour water over the slides and fill up the kiddie pools. Pour the laundry detergent or dish soap on the slip and slides as well. You want to make the baselines as slippery as possible so that sliding down them will be even more fun!

If you want to make the game extra safe, or if there are children involved, you can put cardboard or carpet under the tarps. That will potentially make sliding and falling lower in impact and safer.

Finally, after you set up everything else, spray the home base and pitcher’s mound if you want to make the diamond look as authentic as possible. As soon as the paint dries, you’ll be ready to play.

How to Play Slip and Slide Kickball?

If you want to know how to play slip and slide kickball, you should probably know the rules for kickball. The good news is that since this isn’t an official game of any sort, you can make up your own rules if you want to do so. Just make sure that everyone who’s playing agrees on that set of rules.

Basic kickball rules

The first thing you need to do is to make sure you understand the rules of kickball. It’s fairly simple, so you can pick it up quickly if you don’t already know this game.

Setup and positions

First, know the basics of the setup. The bases are first base, second base, third base, and home plate. Home plate is where the person stands when they’re kicking the ball, and after kicking the ball, they try to make their way around the diamond without being tagged by a member of the opposite team.

You should probably have enough people to be able to fill nine positions as follows:

Pitcher should be in the middle of the diamond.
Catcher is right behind home plate.
First baseman is a few feet away from first base.
Second baseman is a few feet away from second base.
Third baseman is a few feet away from third base.
Shortstop is between second and third base.
Left-fielder is in the outfield, behind the baseline that leads from second to third base.
Centerfielder is in the outfield, behind second base.
Right-fielder is in the outfield, behind the baseline that leads from first to second base.

Once you’re sure everyone understands the rules, everyone should split up into two teams. Then, each side should pick one person who’s going to be the pitcher. The first team up, meaning the first team who’s actually going to have people lining up to kick the ball, should have one person go up to home plate.

Kicking, strikes, and balls

Now, the first person should kick the ball. He or she should kick it only with the foot or leg and not touch it with his or her hand. If a kicker gets three strikes, he or she is out. A strike is a missed kick, a foul ball, or a pitch inside the strike zone that isn’t kicked.

What’s a foul ball, you ask? It’s a kick that ends up landing in foul territory, meaning it goes out of bounds before passing first or third base. A foul counts as a strike, so if a player gets three foul balls, he or she is out.

On the other hand, the kicker will get to go to first base for free if three balls are called. A ball takes place when a pitch goes outside the strike zone, bounces across home plate or any member of the pitching team move towards home plate before the kicker gets to kick the ball.

Rounding the bases

Of course, the ultimate goal of any player who’s on the kicking team is to make their way around the bases. They want to go to first, then second, then third, then home. Once a player makes his or her way all around the diamond, back to home plate, they’ll score a point for the team.

Of course, you can’t simply run around the diamond and score a point. If a member of the opposing team tags you, holding the ball, before you get to the destination base, you’re out. Once three players have been called out, the teams switch positions, and the opposite side goes up to kick the ball.

An official game of kickball has five innings. An inning is a turn for the team until they get three outs.

When you’re playing Slip and Slide Kickball, you can either follow the official rules of kickball to the letter or deviate from them a little bit. If you don’t have time for five innings, for example, you can do less. You can improvise on the rules however you want, as long as everyone agrees.

Adding in the Slip and Slide

Of course, those are just the rules for kickball. Adding in the slip and slide can make things quite a bit different.

For example, instead of running from base to base, you’ll be doing a combination of running and sliding. And since the bases are kiddie pools, you’ll want to make sure that you make contact with the water in the pool in order to be considered safe.

Slip, Slide, and Kick Away!

Whether you’re a fan of kickball or not, you have to agree that Slip and Slide Kickball is a great innovation. It gives you a way to stay active without becoming too hot in the middle of the summer. It’s also a great way to spend quality time with family or friends.

You can enjoy this game even if you’re not really the athletic type. Instead of running from base to base, you get to slide on cool water. What better way is there to stay cool when it’s blistering hot out?

For the next big family event in the summertime, Slip and Slide Kickball could be a great choice if you’re looking for something to do.

It’s great for kids and adults alike, and it’ll definitely be a memorable experience. This innovative game could even become part of a fun new family tradition!

What do you think of everything you’ve just learned about Slip and Slide Kickball? Shout out in the comments section!

How to Plan a Picnic For a Nice Day Out With The Family?

By

Winford Cipriano

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April 4, 2022

If you’re a family that loves to spend time in nature, or one that’s considering it, learning how to plan a picnic for a lovely day out with the family is an excellent step to take.

Spending time outside is always refreshing. As a family, having a beautiful day together outside is even more enjoyable (the more, the merrier).

From playing frisbee to serving up burger and brats off of one of the best portable bbq grills, having a family picnic is a splendid way to spend some time together.

But what exactly is necessary for the planning of a beautiful day out picnicking with the family?

Having a Nice Day Outside Picnicking with the Family

One of the most inexpensive and enjoyable things to do outside as a family is having a picnic. Families who spend a lot of time together outside know this full well.

Time spent with family is time well spent indeed. For those who love the great outdoors, time spent together outside is about as good as it gets as far as family time goes.

All things considered, a little bit of planning goes a long way. Learning how to plan a picnic for a lovely day out with the family is necessary for optimizing your time together.

Nice Day Outside Picnicking with the Family

That said, there’s a never-ending amount of outdoor activities for families to enjoy together regardless of what sort of nature you have access to.

When planning a nature outing with the family, there is a lot to consider. If the excursion is a picnic, there are even more details to plan around before packing up and heading out.

For example, how many family members will be coming along for the picnic? Is there a need for more than one vehicle?

How about the location and the weather forecast?

Will anyone need special eating accommodations? Perhaps a small child with peanut allergies needs a ham sandwich in place of peanut butter and jelly that the other kids will have. Or maybe a bottle warmer for an infant needs hot water for mixing an extra bottle of formula.

How to Plan a Picnic in 5 Easy Steps

Planning a picnic efficiently requires a lot of thinking. However, it doesn’t have to necessarily be hard work. As a matter of fact, the planning stage can be quite exhilarating if you enjoy such things.

Here are a few detailed steps to planning a family picnic:

Step one

While it may seem like an obvious first step, choosing an exact location and precise time for your family’s picnic is not always the first consideration made. That said, it absolutely should be.

While learning how to plan a picnic properly, you will see clearly how important the actual location is.

Selecting a location and time for your picnic has a considerable impact on the following steps.

For example, specific areas allow for larger groups, while others do not. Likewise, some sites have outbuildings, grills, and playground equipment, while many are lacking any such facilities.

The time is also incredibly important. Make sure to plan for a time that everyone has the day off from school, work, and any other obligations.

Also, have a look at the extended weather forecast while selecting your time and location. Doing so can save you a whole lot of unnecessary suffering (as well as soggy bread and wet clothes!).

Step two

After you decide on a time and a place, give some thought to the exact number of people who’ll join in on your picnic. This number may also include friends of the family as well as extended family and co-workers.

Taking a headcount early on in your planning stage needs to take place for several reasons.

You will need to base your menu on the number of people coming. Entertainment and activity choices will also hinge on the number of people attending the picnic as well.

As far as choosing activities, there’s a never-ending supply of options for a bit of outdoor picnic fun with the family. From tug-of-war, and frisbee golf, to lobbing water balloons or putting on a puppet show, there’s plenty to do for a family or group of any size.

The better you know your family and friends, the easier this phase of the planning will go. There’s nothing worse than planning a bunch of stuff that no one actually enjoys. Talk about an awkward afternoon!

Step three

The menu is one of the most crucial (and time-consuming) parts of learning how to plan a picnic for you and your family.

From taking headcount to asking (or knowing) what sort of food, and how much of it, each family member will eat and much more, the menu will take a bit of development on your part.

That said, the menu for your picnic doesn’t have to be prepared by an engineer or a chef either. You can go with options as simple as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a bag of chips.

At the same time, you can also go with a more elaborate menu, one that requires a barbecue grill or food to be cooked ahead of time.

There are also such easy options as ordering a few pizzas or making a run to McDonald’s. While these may not be as traditional as sandwiches and chips, they are none the less pretty popular menu options with the kids.

Your menu should be based on the likes (and dislikes) of your family. And no one knows your family better than you. So, make sure to consider the needs of each family member, and you can’t go wrong!

Step four

Once you prepare a menu for your family picnic, the real work begins. Unless you’re opting for the McDonald’s or Papa John’s menu selection, start by checking which ingredients you already have on hand.

For everything else, make a trip to the nearest grocery store and pick up the rest of what you need.

Buns, dogs, burgers, ketchup, and relish are easy to remember staples for a classic picnic menu. Don’t let the bags of ice, extra bottles of water, and sandwich baggies slip your mind either.

Charcoal for your grill is another easy to forget supply that you’ll want to pick up if you plan on doing any grilling.

While you’re purchasing all the supplies you need, you may want to consider investing in the best portable charcoal grill for you and your family as well.

There’s nothing better than good old fashioned charcoal-grilled burgers and dogs when it comes to picnicking with the family and friends.

Step five

When you finish with your menu and gathering the ingredients, you’re almost finished with your picnic planning.

Now all you have to do is figure out a few more little details such as the seating arrangements, and how many vehicles to take. You’ll also want to pack your first aid kit (because anything can happen outdoors).

Double-check everything from your reservations (if you’re renting a pavilion or other outdoor area) to your coolers, equipment, and safety gear before heading out.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to plan a picnic for a beautiful day outside with the family is a fantastic undertaking for those who enjoy both family time and the great outdoors.

There’s no question about it. Knowing your family, and all of their unique needs will be your best friend when learning how to plan a picnic for them.

Not only will taking the time to plan out your picnic properly make things less stressful for you (the adult), but it’ll also allow the kids to enjoy themselves even more. In turn, you will have an even greater time yourself.

All the above taken into consideration, there is no right or wrong way to plan a picnic. The five steps listed above guide you through all of the necessary steps to planning and pulling off an enjoyable picnic.

However, there is no right or wrong way to plan a picnic (just ask Martha Stuart).

Do you know another method that teaches how to plan a picnic with the family? We’d love to hear all about it in the comments section below.

Good luck learning how to plan a picnic and enjoying a nice day out with your family!

Best Basketball Hoop For Your Game, In-Ground Or Portable

By

Winford Cipriano

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April 1, 2022

Several years ago, in an attempt to get my grandson away from the screens and out into the fresh air, I decided to get him a basketball hoop for his birthday. I had no idea what the best basketball hoop might be, so I pretty much searched for what I could afford.

My daughter was a single mom and renting a home at the time, so I knew I would have to find a hoop that could move when they did. That meant the best basketball hoop would have to be portable and grandma affordable.

The family birthday party that year was consumed with grandpa and uncles assembling the basketball hoop, and then everyone playing some form of basketball until sunset.

Grandma was happy because the present was a hit and everyone was having fun, getting exercise, and nobody was missing the screen.

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Benefits of Playing Basketball

Whether you are shooting hoops by yourself or playing a game of pick-up basketball with the neighbors, basketball is a great way to get fit and stay in shape.

All the running, jumping, and quick lateral movements of basketball provide great aerobic exercise while burning calories. A 165-pound person will burn around 600 calories for each hour of competitive basketball. A 250-pound person will burn 900 calories.

Depending on how you play, if you keep moving, you can develop cardiovascular endurance. The physical demands of basketball also help develop and improve bone health and improve balance and coordination.

Playing basketball improves both mental development and spatial awareness. It’s a fast-paced game that requires knowing where your body is in space and time, as well as mental focus to quickly and accurately process what’s happening.

It also improves confidence. Making good shots and being part of a team can increase your self-esteem and help you gain confidence.

So, now is the time to get the best basketball hoop on your property, but which one?

In-Ground Or Portable, Which Is The Best Basketball Hoop?

The best basketball hoop is going to depend on several factors and will be different for everyone. Many would say the best basketball hoop is any hoop that gets you out of the house, away from the screens, moving, and bouncing that ball.

If you’re an adult and your favorite time with the b-ball is practicing free throws every night, the best basketball hoop for you could be different than your neighbor, who just wants a hoop to get the kids out of the house.

And if your kids are on community or school basketball teams, the best basketball hoop for your family may cost more than the portable hoop I purchased for my grandson all those years ago.

Your deciding factors on purchasing the best basketball hoop will include finances, interest in the game, and portability needs.

Portable

One of the biggest reasons a portable basketball hoop could be the best basketball hoop is just that: It’s portable. You can move it around, out of the way when needed, tuck it away in the garage for storage, or take it with you if you move.

If finances are a concern, a portable basketball hoop might be the best basketball hoop for you. They can be considerably less expensive than an in-ground system.

A portable basketball hoop could also be the best basketball hoop for your family if you’re looking for a way to get your kids away from the screen. Or even if you’d like to see if basketball is the game or sport for your kids. It’s a relatively inexpensive way to test the basketball waters.

A portable basketball hoop will have a base that you fill with sand and or water, and it will have wheels so you can move it around easily.

Something to pay attention to when looking at a portable basketball hoop is what the base is made of and how much water and or sand it will hold. It’s a fine line between being heavy enough to hold the net sturdy yet light enough to move around.

In-Ground

If you’re committed to the game, or this is your favorite way to get daily exercise, an in-ground basketball hoop will be your best basketball hoop. For the most part, it is a permanent installation and the only acceptable basketball hoop for true die-hard basketball fans.

An in-ground basketball hoop is going to give you a sturdier backboard and rim, allowing you to practice those free throws and repetitive shots. It will also allow you to practice those dunks.

“They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they’d make up their minds.” ― Wilt Chamberlain

But be prepared to pay for that sturdiness, in-ground basketball hoops can be very pricy. And installing an in-ground hoop will also put you back a few dollars unless you follow the lead of one parent.

His way of getting the job done was to get the kids to dig the hole and mix the cement, rent a lift for four hours, and get a friend to help. All done for $25 for the lift and the cost of a “six-pack of cold ones” for the friend.

To narrow the choices for the best basketball hoop, we searched the internet researching and reviewing professional opinions and customer comments and reviews.

“Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.” ― John Wooden

We have no business or financial ties to any of the manufacturers on our list.

The goal of this best basketball hoop research is to provide you with sufficient factual, unbiased information so that you can make a confident, informed, and easier decision when purchasing the best basketball hoop for your game.

How We Reviewed The Best Basketball Hoop

To narrow the choices for the best basketball hoop, we searched the internet researching and reviewing professional opinions and customer comments and reviews.

We have no business or financial ties to any of the manufacturers on our list.

The goal of this best basketball hoop research is to provide you with sufficient factual, unbiased information so that you can make a confident, informed, and easier decision when purchasing the best basketball hoop for your game.

Best Basketball Hoop: Portable

Both portable and in-ground systems come with a backboard varying in size from 44 to 72 inches, which is the NBA’s official standard. The challenge with a portable basketball hoop is that the larger the backboard, the more wobble you will get.

If you pay attention to the directions on filling the base, as well as the assembly instructions, you will have many hours of basketball fun.

1. Just Getting Started – Lifetime’s Adjustable Portable Basketball Hoop

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Lifetime’s Adjustable Portable Basketball Hoop has a 44-inch high-density polyethylene backboard. It has a heavy-duty 27-gallon base that you fill with sand or water.

The Lifetime hoop has a round three-piece, 2.75-inch telescoping adjustment pole that goes from 7.5 feet to 10 feet, in 6-inch increments. It features fade-resistant graphics, a five-year warranty, and is a good option for beginners and seasoned players alike.

Pros

Easy to assemble
Good value, especially for beginners
Easy to move

Cons

Difficult to adjust the height
Not for aggressive players
Poor assembly instructions

This affordable basketball hoop is an excellent choice for beginners, young children, and family fun.

Amazon customers rated this basketball hoop 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. A creditable 60 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.

2. All Through School – Spalding’s Ultimate Hybrid® Jr. Acrylic Portable Basketball Hoop

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Spalding’s Ultimate Hybrid® Jr. Acrylic Portable Basketball Hoop has a 50-inch acrylic backboard with arena-style padding. The base fills with 11 gallons of water and four 50-pound bags of sand.

The three-inch round pole, with vinyl padding, adjusts from 8 feet to 10 feet in 6-inch increments with Spalding’s Quick Glide™ lift. Spalding designed this hoop with dunking in mind, so it has a heavy-duty breakaway rim and arena-style padding. Spalding’s Warranty also backs it.

Pros

Good value
Addition of sand and water make the base very stable
Easy assembly

Cons

Not movable once you fill the base
Backboard wobbles

This mid-priced basketball hoop is also a good choice for family fun, beginners, and older children.

Amazon customers rated this basketball hoop 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. A notable 67 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.

3. Pro-Worthy – Escalade Sports Silverback NXT54 Portable Basketball Hoop

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Escalade Sports Silverback NXT54 Portable Basketball Hoop has a 54-inch polycarbonate infinity edge that wraps seamlessly around the side of the backboard. The base fills with 25 gallons of water — that’s 200 pounds of weight just in water.

The main pole adjusts from 7.5 feet to 10 feet, in 6-inch increments. The ErgoMove wheel-barrow design allows for easy lift-and-roll action and comes with a five-year warranty.

Pros

Gym quality, very sturdy
Easy height adjustment
Excellent assembly instructions

Cons

Rim hits are very loud
Support bars cause rebounding issues

Even though this basketball hoop is priced on the higher end of portable basketball hoops, family fun can come at all price levels. And this hoop is a good choice for beginners or kids of all ages, even grandmas.

Amazon customers rated this hoop 4.2 out of 5.0 stars. An impressive 70 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out 5.0 stars.

Game Over

Before you purchase your best basketball hoop, determine what your needs, wants, and budget are. Remember that the best basketball hoop for you and your family could be totally different than your neighbor or friend.

Whichever basketball hoop you purchase, if it gets you up, moving, having fun, and away from the screen, it is your best basketball hoop.

And I should let you know that 10 years have passed since I bought that portable basketball hoop for my grandson. That hoop has moved twice, and my grandson is still having fun with the neighborhood kids shooting hoops.

Let us know in the comments below if you have a portable or in-ground basketball hoop and how often you use that hoop.

Wilson Tennis Rackets Review: What We Think of This Brand

By

Writing Team

-

March 26, 2022

If you’ve ever scoured the internet for a Wilson tennis rackets review, you understand how difficult it can be to find straightforward information. After all, everyone has their own opinion about what makes a great tennis racket versus what makes a dud.

As with almost any sporting equipment, what works for you might not work for someone else. Ultimately, the best tennis rackets are the ones that meet your needs by being both comfortable and fully functional.

But for any racket to be the right tennis racket for you, it needs to have a high-quality design and durable construction.

So do Wilson tennis rackets stand up to the test? Or will reaching for one of these rackets be a waste of your time on the court?

The Ideal Tennis Racket for Your Next Game

Before jumping headfirst into our Wilson tennis rackets review, we want to ensure you understand what to look for in a high-quality tennis racket. While you may know that Wilson is one of the most popular companies in the industry, do you know what factors have earned them that place?

And if you want to find the perfect racket for your next game, you need to understand the different types of tennis rackets from which you can choose:

Pump up the power

Power rackets feature a larger head than other styles while remaining lightweight. Despite their light design, power rackets are around 27 to 29 inches long. This is the largest size racket allowed in competitive matches.

The larger head of a power racket offers more surface area with which to hit the ball. Since less precision is necessary, players can use these rackets to really deliver maximum power to their swing.

Find some balance

By the end of our Wilson tennis rackets review, you might feel overwhelmed by all the different tennis racket options currently available. But for those looking for a racket that offers something right in the middle, a tweener racket is the best choice.

Tweener rackets are popular because they have the perfect balance between lightweight design and hitting power.

These rackets only weigh about 10 ounces, so they don’t deliver anywhere near as much drive as a power racket.

Spin it around

Modern rackets are the lightest and fastest option on the market. They offer a mid-sized head, so you have the perfect amount of headspace paired with a lightweight racket that makes it easy to manipulate the ball.

Modern rackets were developed in response to the growing popularity of topspin in tennis matches. The power level of these rackets is close to that of the tweener rackets.

Keep it traditional

You’ll probably only see traditional rackets in the hands of professionals and high-level club players. Traditional rackets can weigh as much as 13 ounces, while also featuring the smallest head size of any racket style.

Wilson Tennis Rackets Review: The Wilson Federer Tennis Racket

To start our Wilson tennis rackets review, let’s look at one of the brand’s most popular power rackets. With its oversized head, light weight, and long handle, the Wilson Federer Tennis Racket is sure to be a favorite of power players.

The Wilson Federer Tennis Racket has a volcanic frame, which claims to add more power and stability to your swing.

The frame itself is made of aluminum with a strung weight of 11.5 ounces. Since this is a power racket, it features a longer length of 27.25 inches and a total head size of 110 square inches.

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The Wilson Federer racket offers a great combination of size, power, and weight. The design and shape of this racket make it perfect for both beginners and intermediate players.

You should have no problem picking up this racket and learning how to use it within the first few hours. You can find the Wilson Federer Tennis Racket in two different colors on Amazon.

What are customers saying?

As part of our Wilson tennis rackets review, real customer opinions are crucial to determining the actual quality of each racket model. The Wilson Federer Tennis Racket has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from Amazon customer reviews.

Positive customer reviews mentioned things like the racket’s price, as well as the quality of the grips and strings.

During our Wilson tennis rackets review, we did discover that some customers were unhappy with the Federer’s weight. At around 11.5 ounces, it’s on the heavier side for a beginner tennis racket, and many customer reviews supported this fact.

Wilson Tennis Rackets Review: The Wilson Tour Slam Tennis Racket

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Another affordable option is the Wilson Tour Slam Tennis Racket. When compared to the Wilson Federer, this racket is very similar in size, performance, and affordability.

Like the Wilson Federer Tennis Racket, this model features a volcano frame made of aluminum with a slightly longer length of 27.5 inches. Plus, at 112 square inches, the Wilson Tour Slam offers just a bit more headspace. It’s also slightly lighter, coming in at 10.3 ounces.

If you’re unsure about the Wilson Federer’s higher weight, the Tour Slam racket is a great alternative that doesn’t mean sacrificing any size (quite the opposite, actually). You can find the Wilson Tour Slam Tennis Racket on Amazon.

What are customers saying?

Overall, the Wilson Tour Slam Tennis Racket boasts 4.5 out of 5 stars from Amazon customer reviews.

Positive reviews stated that this model is perfect for beginners who can’t handle a heavier racket. Many also shared that the oversized head provides plenty of surface area to help novice players hit the sweet spot.

While the Tour Slam has many positive reviews, some more experienced tennis players say the racket feels cheap and delivers a weak performance. Because of this, the Wilson Tour Slam Tennis Racket might work best in the hands of a true beginner.

Wilson Tennis Rackets Review: The Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 Tennis Racket

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Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about the more experienced players in our Wilson tennis rackets review. The Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 Tennis Racket offers a power frame perfect for those with more than a few games under their belt.

The Hyper Hammer 5.3 racket also features a different string pattern. Unlike other string patterns, this open design offers the opportunity for more power and spin in each swing.

Unlike the Federer and Tour Slam models, this Wilson tennis racket features a graphite frame. Although it’s similar in size to the other two models in our Wilson tennis rackets review, with a length of 27.5 inches and a head size of 110 square inches, it’s lighter than both.

In fact, the Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 comes in at just 9 ounces.

This tennis racket offers a lighter frame without compromising size, making it the perfect choice for novice players and those with a bit of experience. You can find the Wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 Tennis Racket on Amazon.

What are customers saying?

Despite its upgraded design, this racket has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars from Amazon customers. However, many customers still love the light weight of this racket.

The main concern players have with this racket is the string pattern. Some customers claim the strings are loose or installed incorrectly and, as a result, they aren’t able to land a solid hit. Some customers also mentioned the excessive noise made by this racket.

Squaring up Against the Competition

Of course, Wilson isn’t the only high-quality tennis brand on the market. To round out our Wilson tennis rackets review, it’s time to look at some of the most popular competition.

However, with that said, Wilson has a stronghold on the tennis racket industry. While there are some brands giving Wilson a run for its money, none have the selling power of Wilson.

But just because a tennis racket isn’t as popular as one of the Wilson models doesn’t mean it isn’t as good (or even better).

How we reviewed

Finding the right tennis racket isn’t just about investing money. If you go home with the wrong racket, it could ruin countless future games! So when you buy a new tennis racket, you expect it to work well and last for a considerable amount of time.

In the first section of our Wilson tennis rackets review, we focused on both product specifications and real customer opinions. When reviewing the competition, we did the same.

We don’t care if you choose a Wilson racket or one of the competitors listed below (or something else entirely). All we care about is providing a straightforward, honest review of the Wilson tennis rackets and how they stand up to their reputation.

Babolat Boost D Tennis Racket

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Our first competitor is from the little-known company, Babolat. The Babolat Boost D Tennis Racket comes in at 105 square inches and weighs 9.8 ounces, making it perfect for a recreational player who favors power.

This tennis racket features a carbon fiber frame, which offers durability combined with a super light weight. Although this racket doesn’t have Wilson’s name recognition, it definitely stands up against the bigger brand.

The Babolat racket has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from Amazon customers. Overall, customer reviews complimented the durability of this racket, especially for the price.

Head Ti S6 Tennis Racket

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While the other competing brands in our Wilson tennis rackets review might be unfamiliar, you’ve probably heard of this next one. The Head Ti S6 Tennis Racket offers a total head size of 115 square inches and an extra-long length of 27.75 inches.

But the most impressive feature of this racket is that it only weighs 8 ounces!

The light weight is a result of the Ti S6’s unique frame material. This racket is made from a combination of titanium and graphite fiber for strength without any extra weight.

Coming in just behind the Wilson Federer and Tour Slam, this Head racket has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from Amazon customers. However, many of these reviewers have split opinions of this racket’s quality.

On the one hand, most customers like the racket’s build, size, and weight. On the other, though, the Head Ti S6 Tennis Racket seems to have an issue with breaking strings.

But if you’re willing to deal with restringing your racket from time-to-time, this racket is one of the lightest models on the market.

Gamma Sports Quick Kids Jr. 25in. Tennis Racket

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Finally, we have the Gamma Sports Quick Kids Jr. 25in. Tennis Racket. Despite the name, this racket is a good choice for both youth tennis players and petite adults. Plus, with the smaller size also comes a lighter weight.

This racket only weighs 6.7 ounces with a head measuring 93 square inches for maximum contact and power. While you lose some headspace compared to the other rackets in our Wilson tennis rackets review, the lighter weight makes up for it.

This Gamma Sports racket only has a rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars from Amazon customers. Although this smaller racket definitely isn’t for everyone, many customers (including smaller adults) said this racket was the perfect size for their needs.

Time to Hit the Tennis Court

So are the Wilson tennis rackets the ultimate choice for your next match? Maybe, but maybe not.

Wilson is the leading tennis racket brand for a reason. Their rackets offer durable construction, professional-level craftsmanship, style, and pricing that’s reasonable even for the most casual player. Ultimately, there’s no reason to steer clear of Wilson tennis rackets when shopping for a new racket.

However, as seen throughout our Wilson tennis rackets review, there are several smaller brands offering comparable rackets.

In the end, finding your ideal tennis racket is not about the brand. Instead, it’s about finding a design, size, and weight that works well for your body and your style of play. And that may or may not end up being a Wilson tennis racket.

What’s your favorite Wilson tennis racket? Or do you have an unknown brand of rackets you want to share with the world? Share your thoughts in the comments below!