The First Team Vector In-Ground Adjustable Basketball Goal is built around one defining feature that no other manufacturer in the industry offers: a front-mount EZ-Crank with Spring Assist. For courts where a wall, fence, garage, or any other obstruction makes a rear-mount crank impossible to reach, the Vector solves the problem completely. Same heavy 11ga. 4" x 4" post design. Same buried-post or bolt-down baseplate installation choice. Same six backboard configurations including smoked glass. But the crank is in front, where it can always be reached regardless of what is behind the post.

The Only Front-Mount Spring-Assisted Crank in the Industry

First Team is the only manufacturer in the industry to offer a front-mount EZ-Crank with Spring Assist. Every other in-ground adjustable crank system mounts at the rear of the post. On a free-standing court in an open backyard, rear-mount access is straightforward. But on courts installed close to a wall, a garage, a fence, or any structure that limits rear access, a rear-mount crank becomes difficult or impossible to reach comfortably. The Vector's FT1275 Vector Arm System places the crank at the front of the unit where it is always fully accessible, no matter what is directly behind the post. Springs built into the extension assembly counterbalance the weight of the backboard and rim so the front-mount crank turns with the same effortless Spring Assist feel as any other First Team EZ-Crank system. The removable crank handle prevents unauthorized or unsupervised height adjustments when the court is not in use.

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

The Vector uses the same FT1100 heavy 11ga. 4" x 4" one-piece steel post as the Jam. The one-piece design eliminates the joint deterioration risk common with sectional-type posts, where connections between sections can loosen, corrode, and flex over time under repeated play loads. The Vector's post goes into the ground as a single structural member and stays that way for the life of the system. The post to backboard extension distance is 32" with the rim at regulation 10', giving the Vector a slightly longer arm geometry than the Jam's 24" for a more open sight line between the post and the backboard.

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

Vector offers both installation methods across every single configuration. Standard Vector 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.

Height Adjustment from 7' to 10' with Removable Crank

The Vector adjusts from 7' to regulation 10' with infinite positions across that range. A clear, precise built-in rim height indicator shows the exact rim position at all times so there is no measuring or guessing between sessions. The removable crank handle is a practical feature for households and programs where unsupervised height adjustment by younger players is a concern. Remove the handle and unauthorized adjustments become impossible without it.

Direct Rim Mount to Eliminate Backboard Stress

Like every First Team goal, the Vector 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 protects your backboard investment across years of heavy daily use regardless of which configuration you select.

Breakaway Goal and Net Included Standard

Every Vector ships with a breakaway goal and a net as standard. The breakaway mechanism absorbs rim impact during dunks and hard plays, protecting both the rim and the backboard. No upgrade is required to get breakaway performance on any Vector configuration.

Six Backboard Configurations Including Smoked Glass

The Vector offers the same six backboard configurations as the Jam, 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 six configurations share the same FT1100 4" x 4" post, FT1275 Vector Arm System, front-mount EZ-Crank with Spring Assist, direct rim mount, breakaway goal, 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 Vector 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.

Vector vs. Jam

The Vector and the Jam share the same post, the same six backboard configurations including smoked glass, the same buried-post and BP bolt-down installation choices, the same height adjustment range, and the same Lifetime Superior Warranty. The single deciding factor between them is crank placement and arm geometry.

• Choose the Vector if your court is wall-adjacent, close to a fence, garage, or any structure that limits rear access to the post. The front-mount EZ-Crank with Spring Assist is the only front-mount spring-assisted crank available from any manufacturer, and the 32" post-to-backboard extension gives slightly more visual clearance between the post and the board.
• Choose the Jam if your court has unrestricted rear access and you prefer the Jam's rear-mount EZ-Crank with its compact 24" post-to-backboard extension and FT1300 Jam Arm System geometry.
• Bottom line: If rear access to the post is unrestricted, either system works and the Jam is the natural choice at its price point. If rear access is limited or impossible, the Vector is the only in-ground adjustable system in the industry that solves that problem with a spring-assisted front-mount crank.

Lifetime Superior Warranty

Every Vector 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)
• Arm system: FT1275 Vector Arm System
• Crank mount: Front-mount EZ-Crank with Spring Assist — the only front-mount spring-assisted crank available from any manufacturer
• Crank handle: Removable to prevent unauthorized adjustment
• Post to backboard extension: 32" with rim at regulation 10'
• Goal mount: Direct to extension arm, not backboard
• Height adjustment: Infinite from 7' to 10'
• Height indicator: Clear, precise built-in rim height indicator
• Standard installation: Post buried 36" below playing surface
• BP installation: FT1100BP bolt-down baseplate
• Optional accessory: FT16 ground sleeve for removable buried-post installation
• Goal and net: Breakaway goal and net included standard
• Shipping: Free shipping included
• Warranty: Lifetime Superior Warranty, residential use
• Vector II / II BP backboard: FT210 36" x 48" acrylic, FT184 Recreational Flex Goal, approx. 195 lbs
• Vector III / III BP backboard: FT215 36" x 54" acrylic, FT186 Heavy Duty Flex Goal, approx. 205 lbs
• Vector Select / Select BP backboard: FT220 36" x 60" acrylic, FT186 Heavy Duty Flex Goal, approx. 215 lbs
• Vector Turbo / Turbo BP backboard: FT216 36" x 54" tempered glass, FT186 Heavy Duty Flex Goal, approx. 205 lbs
• Vector Nitro / Nitro BP backboard: FT221 36" x 60" tempered glass, FT186 Heavy Duty Flex Goal, approx. 215 lbs
• Vector Eclipse / Eclipse BP backboard: FT221SM 36" x 60" smoked tempered glass, FT186 Heavy Duty Flex Goal, approx. 215 lbs

Who Is This System For?

• Home court buyers with wall-adjacent or obstructed installations where a rear-mount crank is difficult or impossible to reach and a front-mount spring-assisted crank is the only practical solution
• Buyers who want installation method flexibility across every backboard configuration, with the choice between a traditional buried-post setup or a bolt-down baseplate at the time of purchase
• Players who want a unique court aesthetic and are drawn to the smoked tempered glass Eclipse backboard option alongside the practical front-mount crank advantage
• Households where unsupervised height adjustment is a concern and the removable crank handle provides meaningful day-to-day control over who can change the rim height
• Families with players of all ages who need reliable 7' to 10' spring-assisted height adjustment on a permanent court goal that accommodates multiple age groups without tools
• Buyers who want a Lifetime Superior Warranty across every configuration in a proven First Team in-ground platform designed specifically for residential home court use

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 Vector configuration and installation method for your court, and connect you with a qualified installer in your area.