Basketball is one of the most popular sports that’s been around for quite awhile. Whether people play it professionally or recreationally, it’s a sport that’s loved by many. In fact, you’ve probably seen people hanging around the courts and shooting some hoops with their friends before, even when it’s nighttime.
While it can be a bit difficult to play a good pickup game with a dark basketball court, there are still ways to enjoy the popular sport after the sun sets. In this article, we’ll explain how you can safely play night basketball and still have fun, whether you’re with some friends or practicing solo.
Why Play Basketball at Night?
You might be wondering why some people like to play night basketball. After all, a dark basketball court may not seem all that appealing. But even though we can’t always enjoy a game under the sun, there are still some reasons to play at night:
- There’s more downtime in the evening. Life gets busy sometimes, especially during the day. Whether it’s school, work, errands, or other extracurricular activities, we don’t always have time to practice shooting hoops or get together with friends for a quick game. That’s why a night out on the court may be the perfect way to unwind after a long day!
- You can beat the heat during the day. Midday heat can be brutal and unpleasant in the warmer seasons, especially out on the court. But after the daylight hours, temperatures tend to drop a little, making this the best time to practice some free throws.
- You can have a calmer playing experience. During the day, the streets can be full of commotion with people and cars passing by. However, at night, there’s a lot less noise, making your nighttime basketball session much more quiet and peaceful.
- It’s a good way to extend your practice sessions. As the popular saying goes, “practice makes perfect.” If you’re looking to improve your skills, playing night basketball is a great way to continue practicing after your daytime sessions.
How to Play Night Basketball
As we mentioned before, night basketball may not always be ideal since you’re playing in a darker setting. And with the streets a lot quieter, it’s easier for the neighborhood to hear the sounds of a basketball hitting the pavement. Luckily for you, we have a number of tips to help you safely play basketball in the dark and still have fun!
1. Get a glow-in-the-dark basketball
Your regular basketball won’t cut it for nighttime pickup games or practice sessions. Instead, you’ll want to use a glow-in-the-dark basketball (like our Ultra Bright LED Light Up Basketball) that’ll be easy to see as you shoot, pass, and score. Even if you miss a shot, you won’t have to worry about losing the ball in a neighbor’s yard or somewhere in the bushes!
2. Light up the hoop
Your light up basketball isn’t complete without a light up basketball hoop. After all, adding lights on your basketball hoop will make a huge difference when it comes to scoring. If you don't feel like buying a brand new basketball hoop, feel free to check out our Ultra Bright LED Basketball Rim Lighting Kit for an easy solution to the dark.
3. Be careful about noise complaints
Noise can become an issue with night basketball, especially if you’re playing with a group of friends. Because of this, you should try to keep voice levels down to a minimum to avoid bothering neighbors. However, you generally won’t need to worry about the sound of the ball dribbling since this noise isn’t too disruptive.
4. Don’t use bright lights
If you still need some extra lighting on the court, you should go for ones that are ground-based and have lower settings. Some outdoor basketball lights can be too bright and shine into other peoples’ windows. Even though lower lighting is not as good as bright lighting, your eyes will adjust over time and allow you to avoid potential tripping hazards.
5. Use nylon netting for the hoop
Nylon netting on basketball hoops may be a better option versus the old chain-style netting since they’re less noisy. To avoid possible disruptions to your neighbors, consider using nylon netting on your basketball hoop.
Night Basketball: Common Questions
Now that you know how to play night basketball in a safe and fun way, here are some common questions you might have about using lights at night:
How does a light-up basketball work?
Glow-in-the-dark basketballs have lights inside them that turn on as soon as you bounce the ball. Our regular-sized Light Up Basketballs have 2 LED lights that activate when impacted and turn off after 40 seconds of inactivity.
How do you light a dark basketball court?
For at-home basketball courts, you can attach lights to your garage or house. However, if you want to add a bit more visibility (and fun), you can also try using a light up basketball and adding lights to your basketball hoop.
How many lumens do you need to light an outdoor basketball court?
For standard-sized basketball courts, it’s generally recommended to use outdoor basketball lights that have high wattage and lumens — preferably LED lights with about 87,400 lumens. However, as we mentioned before, you should be careful about using bright lights as this can be disrupting to neighbors. As a substitute, you can use dimmer ground-level lighting in addition to a glow-in-the-dark basketball and adding lights on your basketball hoop.
Illuminate the Night
Night basketball can be fun whether you’re playing a few pickup games with some friends or simply practicing shooting hoops by yourself. But if you don’t have proper lighting, it can be difficult to navigate the court and make a few baskets. To ensure your own safety and add a little fun in the dark, check out our collection of LED Basketball Equipment!
Contributing Writer: Rebecca Lee
