Michael Sweeten: Hi! I'm Michael Sweeten, Sporting Goods Product Manager for Lifetime Products. Today we're going to be looking at performance.

A part of performance with the basketball system is the backboard. The performance of your backboard is tied directly to the material that it's made out of. Composite Backboards are typically molded and are great for beginners or for you. They are also the most affordable boards. A step up from my composite board is the Polycarbonate Backboard. These backboards are typically shatterproof, an integrated, clear, unbreakable playing surface with either a composite or a steel frame for a durable pro-glass look.

A step up in performance from a polycarbonate backboard would be an Acrylic Backboard. Acrylic backboard feature professional styling and while not as durable as a polycarbonate backboard, they do provide a better rebound.

Finally, Tempered Glass. Tempered glass is the premium playing surface and gives you the look and play of a professional game. Tempered glass is the material used in all collegiate and professional applications. In addition to the backboard, the rim is an important part of the performance of your system. There are different rim types ranging from a standard rim which bolts directly to a backboard, to a spring-loaded rim which does provide spring-back action and, finally, a professional rim which provides spring-back action as well as a wraparound brace giving it not only a professional look but performance.

Now that we know how your system is going to need to perform, we can take a look at adjustment.