Simply put, no-net basketball is when you play basketball on hoops that don’t have any net hanging on the rim. Almost all (if not all) basketball hoops are sold with nets, and the only situations where one doesn’t have one is either because it was taken off or it was old and ended up falling off.
Why Do Basketball Hoops Have Nets?
According to NBA rules, the nets are a requirement for the game “to check the ball momentarily as it passes through the basket”. Having the net makes it visually easier to determine if the ball has gone in the net (although some shots from players like Steph Curry barely move the net when their shots go in), allowing for the game’s momentum to continue without having to stop and review plays.
The net also helps control the ball as it goes into the hoop by slowing it down and redirecting the ball to fall somewhat under the hoop itself. This makes players’ lives a whole lot easier when there isn’t too much time on the clock, and they need to retrieve the ball immediately to inbound it.
Additionally, the net provides a bigger target for players to aim at when shooting the ball, which is especially helpful at different angles. If you’re playing on a basketball hoop without a net and are taking a three-point shot, the rim may seem like no more than a little red line as opposed to an open circle. The net gives some visual assistance and can subconsciously help guide your shot in these types of situations.
Finally, likely the most important part about having a net for a player (although not functionally the most significant reason) is the sound of draining a shot, hitting nothing but net. Professional and amateur athletes alike can equate the feeling of hearing a beautiful “swish” to their favorite song coming on at a concert, or the sounds of waves crashing on the beach. It is the reward you get for making a shot as perfectly as possible.
No Net vs. Double Rim
It’s no surprise that having no net and playing on a double rim hoop are two highly contentious topics on their own. But comparing both and seeing which one people would prefer is more of a difficult decision than you’d think. In fact, this question was asked to a number of NBA athletes, which can be seen in this House Of Highlights video. The majority response is that players would rather compete against one another on a double rim than have no net. Separately, we’ve written an article on single rim vs. double rim that details a lot of comparisons between the two.
Pros and Cons of No Net Basketball
It seems that so far, we have only given the cons of having no net, yet we haven’t truly considered the alternative. Below, we’ve created a list of pros and cons for both of these categories:
Pros
| Having A Net | Having No Net |
| -Easier to see if the ball has gone in the hoop -Controls the speed and direction of the ball, allowing for better game continuity -Larger target for shooters to focus on -Satisfying “swish” after making a shot -Indication that the court itself is in better condition than a hoop without a net | -Less danger that a player will get fingers / hands caught in the net after dunking or making a layup -Cheaper to maintain (no need to buy and replace old, weathered nets) -Forces players to rely on muscle memory as opposed to the net as a guide when shooting |
Cons
| Having A Net | Having No Net |
| -Potential injury if a finger or hand gets caught in the net -Requires more maintenance and cost, especially if the court hosts highly competitive games (i.e., more dunking and more shots made deteriorate the net quicker) | -Nothing to control ball speed and momentum, leaving players running to get the ball -More difficult to tell if a shot went in -No sound after a shot is made -Rim as the only target makes shots harder to calculate -Indication that the court is not well-maintained |
As you can see, each side can argue on the benefits / hindrances they bring to the game. The more compelling argument, though, is definitely to have a net. A lot of upside with minimal downside sounds like a better deal, and because 99% of all regulated games are played on hoops with nets, it is better practice in the long term.
Is It Legal To Play Basketball Without A Net?
Earlier in the article, we mentioned the NBA’s rationale for requiring nets on hoops. But does this mean that it is illegal to play a formal game without them? There is no law stating that a game is invalid if there are no nets on the hoops. However, if for some reason an NBA arena has no nets on their hoops, they would never start the game. Non-professional games may have tournaments and leagues that play on courts with no nets, but this could just be circumstantial and not done intentionally. Either way, the games will still count toward a team’s record, nets or not.
Are Chain Basketball Nets Legal?
Chain basketball nets are surprisingly prohibited in some states and cities, even though they can be purchased legally and used for hoops on private property. In Massachusetts, for example, Chapter 45, Section 18A of the state’s general laws say that “A chain link metal basketball net shall not be used in a public park, playground, or recreation center”. If it is not prohibited by the state, then you can likely check your city’s department of parks & recreation website for confirmation.
Are Chain Basketball Nets Safe?
Chain basketball nets can be dangerous, especially if the metal is not galvanized and the chains have large links. If a chain net is galvanized, it means the metal has a coating that acts as a barrier to external elements and will prevent it from rusting. This is especially important if the chain is going on an outdoor hoop since rain and heat can exacerbate the weathering process.
Additionally, chains don’t have the same elasticity as nylon or polyester, which are materials used in fabric nets. If players are dunking on the rim and hanging on the net, they have a higher chance of injuring their fingers, wrists, and hands. Even if the links are small, the larger loops that create the netting can cause injury if a body part gets caught inside them. The safer bet is to always go with a nylon or polyester net, but just take additional precautions when playing with chain nets.
Cloth Basketball Net vs. Chain Basketball Net
If you are trying to determine which kind of net is best for you, we’ve broken down some characteristics that you should consider, as well as which kind of net is better for each one.
| Category | Fabric Net (Nylon, Polyester) | Chain-Link Net |
| Price | X | |
| Safety | X | |
| Durability | X | |
| Professional Use | X |
In terms of price, you can find some nylon and polyester nets for as cheap as $5, whereas chain-link nets tend to bottom out at around $12. In fact, the only category that metal nets win is durability since metal lasts longer than any of the other materials if put in the same conditions.
Either one you choose, your gameplay shouldn’t be affected by your selection, but it is important to understand your level of skill, where you will be playing, as well as your budget before making a purchase.