The First Team RuffNeck In-Ground Fixed Height Basketball Goal is a permanent outdoor basketball system built on a 4-1/2" O.D. Schedule 40 galvanized steel post with a 48" post-to-backboard extension and 48" in-ground bury, available in 24 configurations across steel, aluminum, perforated aluminum, fiberglass, and acrylic backboards in both standard and EXT nosecone versions. Every RuffNeck configuration carries a Lifetime Limited Warranty. Fixed height at regulation 10'. The FT1900NC nose-cone backboard mounting design locks the nose-cone to the post via a through-bolt on every configuration, and all RuffNeck goals are direct mounted to eliminate backboard stress when players contact the rim.

FT1900 RuffNeck Pole System: 4-1/2" Schedule 40 Galvanized, Nose-Cone Mount, 48" Bury

Every RuffNeck configuration is built on the FT1900 RuffNeck Pole System, a 4-1/2" O.D. Schedule 40 galvanized steel post buried 48" into the ground in a permanent concrete anchor. The post positions the backboard 48" from the post face, providing the court clearance a permanent outdoor installation demands. The FT1900NC RuffNeck Nosecone and Braces Assembly locks the nose-cone to the post via a through-bolt, providing a more secure and purpose-built connection than a U-bolt clamp system. Two tubular braces fixed to the neck of the post are included in the FT1900NC assembly for superior backboard rigidity across all configurations. All RuffNeck goals are direct mounted to the backboard, allowing the rim to be mounted through the backboard and into the post to eliminate backboard stress.

Standard vs. EXT: Choosing Your Nosecone Assembly

The RuffNeck is available in two nosecone configurations. Standard configurations use the FT1900NC RuffNeck Nosecone and Braces Assembly. EXT configurations use the FT1900NC EXT RuffNeck Extended Nosecone and Braces Assembly, which provides a greater post-to-backboard setback distance. Every other specification, including post, backboard, goal, warranty, and shipping weight, is identical between the standard and EXT version of each configuration. Select the EXT variant at checkout if your court requires additional clearance between the post and the backboard face.

Lifetime Limited Warranty on Every Configuration

Every RuffNeck configuration, covering all 24 standard and EXT variants, carries First Team's Lifetime Limited Warranty. First Team's Limited Warranty covers any damage caused by normal basketball activity and normal player contact with the goal. Deliberate hanging on the rim, multiple player hanging, and vandalism are not covered under the Limited Warranty. All painted items carry a 1-year limited warranty on coating.  The RuffNeck's Lifetime Limited Warranty does not cover deliberate rim hanging or multiple player hanging.

FT172D Unbreakable Fixed Goal: Steel, Aluminum, and Fiberglass Variants

Nine RuffNeck configurations, covering all steel, aluminum, and fiberglass variants, ship with the FT172D Unbreakable Fixed Goal, direct mounted to the backboard to eliminate stress at the connection point. The FT172D features a rust-resistant powder coated finish suited for permanent outdoor installation. Net and mounting hardware are included.

FT186 Heavy Duty Flex Goal: Acrylic Variants

The three acrylic RuffNeck configurations, III, Select, and Supreme, ship with the FT186 Heavy Duty Flex Goal, featuring a 3/16" steel rim support and continuous netlocks, direct mounted to eliminate backboard breakage. Net and mounting hardware are included. The same goal applies to all EXT acrylic variants.

Standard Configurations

All standard RuffNeck configurations use the FT1900NC RuffNeck Nosecone and Braces Assembly with two tubular post braces.

EXT Configurations (Extended Nosecone)

All EXT RuffNeck configurations use the FT1900NC EXT RuffNeck Extended Nosecone and Braces Assembly. Backboards, goals, and shipping weights are identical to their standard counterparts.

Warranty

Every RuffNeck configuration carries First Team's Lifetime Limited Warranty. The Limited Warranty covers any damage caused by normal basketball activity and normal player contact with the goal. Deliberate hanging on the rim, multiple player hanging, and vandalism are not covered. All painted items carry a 1-year limited warranty on coating.  First Team products carry no warranty except for obvious manufacturing defects when used in an entertainment or amusement facility where players pay a fee to use the equipment, unless specifically agreed to in writing by our team. Deliberate rim hanging and vandalism are excluded from the Lifetime Limited Warranty on all RuffNeck configurations

By the Numbers

• Post: FT1900 RuffNeck Pole System, 4-1/2" O.D. Schedule 40 galvanized steel
• Nosecone (standard): FT1900NC RuffNeck Nosecone and Braces Assembly, through-bolt locking to post, two tubular post braces
• Nosecone (EXT): FT1900NC EXT RuffNeck Extended Nosecone and Braces Assembly, greater post-to-backboard setback
• System type: Single-sided, fixed height, regulation 10' rim height
• Post-to-backboard extension: 48" standard / extended on EXT configurations
• Ground bury depth: 48"
• Goal mounting: Direct mounted on all configurations
• Backboard options: Steel, aluminum, perforated aluminum, fiberglass, acrylic; 36"x54" to 42"x72"
• Goal (steel/aluminum/fiberglass variants): FT172D Unbreakable Fixed Goal
• Goal (acrylic variants): FT186 Heavy Duty Flex Goal
• System warranty: Lifetime Limited Warranty on all 24 configurations
• Coating warranty: 1-year limited on all painted items
• Shipping weights: 235 lbs (III and III EXT) to 350 lbs (Excel and Excel EXT)
• Shipping: Ships by truck

Who Is This System For?

• Parks, school yards, and recreational facilities that need a permanent fixed height outdoor basketball installation on a 4-1/2" Schedule 40 galvanized post with nose-cone mounting and a Lifetime Limited Warranty, at a lower price point than the Legend Jr., Legend, Brute, and Tyrant
• Facilities where the Lifetime Limited Warranty meets coverage requirements and normal basketball play without deliberate rim hanging is the expected use pattern; the RuffNeck's Lifetime duration is a meaningful step up from the Renegade's 20-Year Limited at a comparable price point
• Courts requiring the EXT extended nosecone for additional post-to-backboard clearance, where the standard 48" extension is not sufficient for the site layout or local safety requirements; the RuffNeck is the only system in the First Team fixed height lineup covered here that offers an extended nosecone option at this post size
• Procurement teams selecting backboard material by application, whether steel for maximum durability, aluminum for rust-free construction, fiberglass for rebound quality, or acrylic for visual clarity, all on the same RuffNeck post platform with identical Lifetime Limited Warranty coverage and the same nose-cone mounting design used on the Brute and Tyrant

About First Team

First Team has been engineering sports equipment for courts, parks, and athletic facilities since 1985. The RuffNeck delivers the 4-1/2" Schedule 40 galvanized post, nose-cone through-bolt mounting, two tubular post braces, and 24-configuration backboard selection of the First Team fixed height lineup, with a Lifetime Limited Warranty on every configuration in both standard and EXT nosecone versions. As an authorized First Team dealer, Top Sports Tech provides direct expert support, competitive pricing, and logistics coordination on every RuffNeck order. Our team can help you select the right backboard configuration and nosecone version for your court, and if your facility requires deliberate rim hanging coverage, we can help you step up to the right Lifetime Superior or Unconditional system.