The First Team Champ In-Ground Adjustable Basketball Goal delivers genuine First Team in-ground quality with a uniquely simple approach to height adjustment: the Insta-Just system. No crank. No pin-and-lift handle. Just a broom handle, a quick release of the Insta-Just height regulator, and you are set. Six backboard configurations across acrylic, tempered glass, and smoked tempered glass, a choice of buried-post or bolt-down baseplate installation on every configuration, the same heavy 11ga. 4" x 4" one-piece post construction used across the First Team in-ground lineup, and a Lifetime Superior Warranty on every variant.

Insta-Just Height Adjustment

The Champ uses First Team's Insta-Just height adjustment system, a design that stands apart from every other adjustment mechanism in the First Team in-ground lineup. The Slam uses a Quik-Pin pull-and-lift handle. The Vector and Jam use an EZ-Crank. The Champ uses neither. To adjust the rim height on the Champ, insert a standard broom handle into the Insta-Just height regulator at the back of the unit, release the mechanism, move the arm to the desired height in 6" increments, and re-engage. The adjustment range runs from 7'6" to regulation 10' in 6" increments. For programs and families where the players using the court are primarily middle-school age and above, where quick broom-handle adjustments between sessions are preferred over a crank or handle mechanism, and where mechanical simplicity is a priority, the Insta-Just system is the most straightforward adjustment design in the entire First Team lineup.

Heavy 11ga. 4" x 4" One-Piece Post Design

The Champ is built on the same FT1100 heavy 11ga. 4" x 4" one-piece steel post used across the Jam, Vector, and Slam. First Team's own engineering confirms this post is 50% heavier than any goal of its kind. The one-piece design eliminates the wobbling and rusting joints that are common with sectional-type posts, where connections between sections loosen, corrode, and flex over time under repeated play loads. The Champ's post goes into the ground as a single structural member and stays that way for the life of the system. The FT1200 Champ Arm System connects the post to the backboard with the shortest post-to-backboard extension distance in the First Team in-ground lineup: 18" with the rim at regulation 10'. This compact geometry keeps the backboard tight to the post for the smallest possible court footprint.

Direct Rim Mount to Eliminate Backboard Stress

Like every First Team goal, the Champ mounts the rim directly to the extension arm rather than the backboard. Every dunk, hang, and hard rim impact is absorbed by the steel arm rather than transferred into the backboard material. This super strength direct mount design eliminates the backboard cracking and frame stress that occurs on goals where the rim mounts to the board, protecting your backboard investment across years of heavy daily use regardless of which configuration you select.

Buried Post or Bolt-Down Baseplate: Your Choice on Every Configuration

Like the Jam, Vector, and Slam, the Champ offers both installation methods across every single backboard configuration. Standard Champ units use the FT1100 buried post, set 36" below the playing surface in concrete for a traditional in-ground installation. BP variants use the FT1100BP bolt-down baseplate post for a surface-mounted bolt-down installation. An optional FT16 ground sleeve can be purchased separately for standard buried-post units, making the post removable from the sleeve if relocation is ever needed.

Six Backboard Configurations Including Smoked Glass

The Champ offers the same six backboard configurations as the Jam, Vector, and Slam, spanning acrylic and tempered glass including the unique smoked tempered glass Eclipse option. Every configuration is available in both standard buried-post and BP bolt-down versions for a total of twelve orderable variants. All twelve carry a Lifetime Superior Warranty for residential use.

Choose Your Type

All configurations share the same FT1100 4" x 4" post, FT1200 Champ Arm System, Insta-Just broom-handle height adjustment, direct rim mount design, and Lifetime Superior Warranty. Every configuration is available in both standard buried-post (no suffix) and bolt-down baseplate (BP suffix) versions. Select the BP version at checkout if you want the bolt-down installation option.

Optional Upgrades

The Champ is available with two padding add-ons worth considering at the time of purchase. Adding padding after installation is significantly more difficult than ordering upfront.

• Bolt-on TuffGuard backboard padding available in several colors, provides player protection around the backboard edges and is strongly recommended for youth programs and any facility where player contact with the backboard is a concern
• All-weather Velcro wrap-around post padding adds a layer of safety around the 4" x 4" post for courts where player contact with the post is a concern. The Velcro wrap-around design makes installation and removal straightforward without tools.

Champ vs. Slam

The Champ and the Slam share the same heavy 11ga. 4" x 4" post, the same six backboard configurations including smoked glass, the same buried-post and BP bolt-down installation choices, and a Lifetime Superior Warranty across all configurations. The differences come down to how you adjust the rim height, how low the rim can go, and how compact the arm geometry is.

• Choose the Champ if you want the simplest possible height adjustment mechanism in the First Team in-ground lineup. Insert a broom handle, release the Insta-Just regulator, move to the desired 6" increment, re-engage. No crank. No pull handle. The Champ also features the shortest post-to-backboard extension in the lineup at 18", making it the right choice for courts where a compact overhead footprint is a priority. Note that the Champ's minimum rim height is 7'6" rather than the Slam's 7', so if your program includes players who need a rim below 7'6", the Slam is the better fit.
• Choose the Slam if you need a lower minimum rim height of 7' to accommodate younger players, prefer the Quik-Pin pull-and-lift handle mechanism over a broom-handle release, or want a slightly longer 24" post-to-backboard extension for a more open sight line between the post and the board.
• Bottom line: The Champ is the right choice when maximum simplicity, the most compact arm geometry in the lineup, and broom-handle adjustment are what your court needs. Step up to the Slam when a 7' minimum rim height or a pull-handle adjustment mechanism is the priority.

Lifetime Superior Warranty

Every Champ configuration carries First Team's Lifetime Superior Warranty for residential use. This covers any damage or failure caused by any type of basketball activity or related contact with the unit, including deliberate hanging on the rim. Vandalism is not covered. The residential designation means coverage applies in a single-family dwelling setting. Contact our team if your installation is for a non-residential environment.

By the Numbers

• Post: FT1100 heavy 11ga. 4" x 4" one-piece steel post (buried) / FT1100BP bolt-down baseplate post (BP variants)
• Post claim: 50% heavier than any goal of its kind
• Arm system: FT1200 Champ Arm System
• Post to backboard extension: 18" with rim at regulation 10' — shortest in the First Team in-ground lineup
• Height adjustment: Insta-Just broom-handle release, 7'6" to 10' in 6" increments
• Goal mount: Direct to extension arm, not backboard
• Standard installation: Post buried 36" below playing surface
• BP installation: FT1100BP bolt-down baseplate
• Optional accessory: FT16 ground sleeve for removable buried-post installation
• Shipping: Free shipping included
• Warranty: Lifetime Superior Warranty, residential use, all configurations
• Champ II / II BP backboard: FT210 36" x 48" acrylic, FT184 Recreational Flex Goal, approx. 150 lbs
• Champ III / III BP backboard: FT215 36" x 54" acrylic, FT186 Heavy Duty Flex Goal, approx. 160 lbs
• Champ Select / Select BP backboard: FT220 36" x 60" acrylic, FT186 Heavy Duty Flex Goal, approx. 170 lbs
• Champ Turbo / Turbo BP backboard: FT216 36" x 54" tempered glass, FT186 Heavy Duty Flex Goal, approx. 160 lbs
• Champ Nitro / Nitro BP backboard: FT221 36" x 60" tempered glass, FT186 Heavy Duty Flex Goal, approx. 170 lbs
• Champ Eclipse / Eclipse BP backboard: FT221SM 36" x 60" smoked tempered glass, FT186 Heavy Duty Flex Goal, approx. 170 lbs

Who Is This System For?

• Home court buyers who want a permanent First Team in-ground adjustable goal with the simplest possible height adjustment mechanism and the most compact arm geometry available in the First Team in-ground lineup
• Programs and families with players primarily 7'6" rim height and above who need straightforward 6" increment adjustments between sessions with no crank or pull handle involved
• Players upgrading from portable systems who want the rigidity and permanence of a bolt-down or buried-post in-ground installation with a broad backboard selection including glass and smoked glass options at an accessible price point
• Buyers who want installation flexibility across every backboard configuration, with the choice between a traditional buried-post setup or a bolt-down baseplate at the time of purchase
• Court builders with limited overhead space who need the shortest possible post-to-backboard extension and the most compact arm geometry in the First Team in-ground lineup
• First-time permanent in-ground buyers who want a proven, straightforward First Team in-ground platform with no mechanical complexity, a Lifetime Superior Warranty on every configuration, and the backing of verified customer reviews confirming real-world durability and ease of installation

Trusted by Institutions Nationwide

First Team has been manufacturing sports equipment in the USA since 1985. As an authorized First Team dealer, Top Sports Tech provides direct expert support, competitive pricing, and fast shipping on every order. Our team can help you choose the right Champ configuration and installation method for your court, and connect you with a qualified installer in your area.