Improving Shooting Speed With a Simple Basketball Return System

I wanted to build a super cheap and super durable basketball return system, and I did it! This project will give you step by step instructions on how to build it! I hope its helpful.

1) Strong Foam Core

2) Hot Glue Gun

3) Drill

4) 2 Screws

5) Zip Ties

6) Wood

7) Tape Measure

8) Box Cutter

9) Screwdriver

I started by drawing an outline of what I wanted to make. I wanted to make a basketball return that was cheap and durable. The goal was to get the ball back to you whether you were standing at the free throw line or the three point line. And of course we needed the return system to by strong enough, so I decided to use foam core. Foam core is very cheap and durable. I decided that I would use the foam core to make a sort of ramp structure. So this is what I came up with. I didn't want there to be too many materials as shown in the first image. Or too little as shown in the second. I wanted it to be just right.

For this step, start by measuring out the pieces of foam core. You might ask why foam core? Because it is strong and is easy to cut into pieces. Start by cutting a piece of foam core into a 2, 6 inch by 20 inch rectangles. Once you have those two pieces, cut a rectangle shape a little ways down from the top as shown in the image above. Keep in mind that this will be the part that attaches to the hoop so your measurements might be different than mine. In the images I accidentally cut too far in. If this is the case for you, you can add a little piece of foam to make up for it (shown in image). Do the same for the other piece and now you should have two 6 inch by 20 inch rectangles with a rectangle cut into them.

Before you move on, make sure that the boards fit onto your hoop (indoor or outdoor). Once you have checked, make another rectangle about 6 inches by 18 inches. With this rectangle you will wedge it in between the other two rectangles you made. Use hot glue to connect them. Make sure the new board is at an angle like in the image. The hot glue will not be the finale support, it is just to hold them in place for now.

Now we need to add support. The ball is going to hit this very hard so it needs to be able to withstand the blow. First, I cut two small wood beams and placed it on the bottom. And then I screwed them in to the foam core. Then I used zip ties to hold down the wood even more. Once finished with that I added more foam core onto the original. Use the images provided to see where to put them. Once you've added the support add some more zip ties and glue to strengthen it. Then test it. It took many tries to get it right, but don't give up!

This finale product will help you shoot more and more shots. It will greatly increase the speed of which you receive the ball! And its cheap too! It takes a lot of time for someone to run up and get the ball every time they shoot so hopefully this will help greatly increase that speed!

Thank you for reading!