Basketball is one of the most famous sports around the world. When you are trying to plan an outdoor activity with your family and friends, basketball can be a very good option.
When you are tired of playing in a portable hoop, it’s time for you to install an in-ground basketball hoop. It is a special feeling when you have your own Portable Basketball Hoop. At-least you don’t have to worry about falling through the hoop when it gets windy.
Though setting an in-ground basketball is not so easy if you are not a professional, I am sure you are going to be one step forward after you read the full article.
Things you will need
Before starting the work, you will need to arrange all the necessary equipment. Let’s have a look at those things you will require:
- Basketball hoop with pole and backboard.
- Shovel
- Measuring tape
- A wheelbarrow to carry soil and other building material
- A trowel for digging
- Level
- Wood planks
- Cutting saw
- Screw, screwdriver and glue
- Cloth
- Ladder
Choosing a location
When you are determined to set an in-ground basketball hoop, then you must have selected the place where you will set that up.
There a few things you need to consider when you are setting an in-ground hoop:
- Underground pipes: you need to make sure there are no underground pipes such as gas or water pipes where you are going to dig. You may cut those pipes accidently if you don’t know about their right position.
- Playing area surface: The surface before the hoop needs to be smooth but hard at the same time. It can be made of concrete which is suitable for playing basketball.
- Size of the playing area: If it is your driveway or some other place make sure there is enough space to play basketball there.
- Backboard misses: Make sure there are no windows behind the hoop. If you miss the backboard, the glass of those windows may break.
Digging The Hole
When you buy an in-ground basketball hoop, the manufacturer will surely tell you the dimensions of the whole. They will also tell you how deep the hole should be.
According to their instructed measurement, make a square outline using the wood planks you have. Attach them with screws and screwdrivers. The dimension should be the inner side of the wood frame.
Now draw a shape according to the wooden shape and mark the depth where you will set the hoop. The wood shape should be parallel to the court baseline.
Now start digging the whole according to the required depth. Make sure that the side matches the wood outline.
Pouring The Concrete
Most of todays’ basketball systems have a rebar-mounted anchor which you have to push through the concrete which is already put in the whole. If you also have this kind of system, mix your concrete and pour it in the whole till the level of the wooden frame. Try to level the concrete mixture to clear voids. Now push the rebar into the concrete. Make sure it is just at the middle of the square.
Some other hoops need to be held in the whole at first and then you need to pour the concrete In the whole. If you buy one of those hoops, you need another helping hand to hold the hoop upright just at the middle of the square and you will pour concrete in the whole.
Now when you have completed pouring concrete in the whole, level the concrete mixture with the help of a trowel. Make sure the anchor/pole is parallel to the baseline of the court and then level it.
Final Preparation
When you are sure that you have successfully got your pole/anchor in the right position, clean off the extra cement and dust with a wet cloth. Keep the pole like that for 24 hours to dry completely.
When the concrete is completely dry, now it’s time for the next step. Read your hoops’ user manual and set the pole if you have a separate anchor.
Just like that, if you have set the pole in the ground but didn’t set the backboard, take a ladder and a helping hand to do the job. Now attach the backboard according to the user manual provided with the hoop.
Painting court lines
Now the final touch comes to the point. Draw basketball court lines in front of your hoop. You can paint it with a roller. If you are doing it on a concrete ground, clean it with a concrete primer.
Conclusion
It seems like quite a lot of effort you have to give to install an in-ground basketball hoop. If you are afraid of doing this by yourself or you have a shortage of time, you can get help from the experts too. But if you are confident enough, just follow the instructions.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your tools and start setting an in-ground hoop and start enjoying the pleasure of playing on your own basketball court.
