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How to Set an In-Ground Basketball Hoop
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Home Home Improvement DIY Projects How to Set an In-Ground Basketball Hoop
Fast-setting concrete mix makes quick work of installing a basketball goal.
Playing basketball is a great way to get some exercise, and installing your own goal means you can shoot hoops whenever you want.
If you can’t wait to hit the ‘court,’ Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete is the speedy solution for setting a strong foundation.
Here’s how to set an in-ground basketball goal.
1. Dig the hole.
A post hole digger is the most efficient tool for digging a hole.
First, call 811 to make sure there are no underground utilities where you want the basketball goal. If your goal post comes with a set of instructions for hole depth and width, make sure you follow those guidelines.
Once you get the all-clear, grab a post hole digger and dig a hole — the edge of the hole should be, at most, 6 inches away from your playing surface. A hole that is 24 inches wide and 24 inches deep should give your post the necessary stability it needs for everyday use. The bottom 6 inches will be used for something other than concrete. (You’ll see why in a second.)
2. Add the base.
Concrete is porous, so it’s important to add a layer of gravel for proper drainage.
Pour 6 inches of gravel or crushed stone into the hole — then use a 2-by-4 to compact and level the base. This creates a strong barrier between the concrete and the ground, ensures proper drainage and prevents the concrete’s erosion.
Tip: If the soil is sandy, use a building form . The tubular form, made of ridged fiber, is used for pouring cylinder-shaped concrete foundations.
3. Set the post.
Place the basketball pole in the hole and use a level to make sure it’s perfectly vertical. Then pour Fast-Setting Concrete into the hole, just four inches below ground level.
You’ll need those four inches for the next step: pouring water inside the hole to saturate the concrete. Ensure the water reaches the bottom of the concrete by stirring or stabbing the mixture with a stick.
Check the basketball goal’s instructions for any special steps you need to take. We’re pouring concrete around a pole for this how-to, but some in-ground basketball goals require a different installation process.
Either way, the concrete sets hard in 20 to 40 minutes, and you can attach the backboard after four hours — and shoot hoops before the day is done!
Installing an in-ground basketball goal takes no time compared to the countless hours of use that goal will get. (DepositPhotos)
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Backed by his 40-year remodeling career, Danny served as the home improvement expert for CBS’s The Early Show and The Weather Channel for more than a decade. His extensive hands-on experience and understanding of the industry make him the go-to source for all things having to do with the home – from advice on simple repairs, to complete remodels, to helping homeowners prepare their homes for extreme weather and seasons.
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Basketball Hoop Installation – Goalrilla
INSTALLING YOUR GOAL
Never installed a basketball goal before and not sure where to start? Not a problem. Regardless of where you purchased your hoop, you’ll have the option of installing it yourself or paying a professional to do it for you. The following article will walk you through the steps.
The following videos will walk you step-by-step through the process of installing an in-ground basketball goal.
Installing the anchor kit
Part 2
Goal Installation
MIXING CONCRETE FOR AN IN-GROUND INSTALLATION
The secret to a long-lasting basketball hoop is in foundation. Achieving the correct mixture of dry concrete and water can give your goal additional years of life!
A mixture that is too thin lacks the strength needed to properly hold the steel pole in place. A mixture that is too thick will leave you struggling to fill voids that can’t be seen below, again compromising strength. So how do you achieve the perfect balance? Let’s find out!
Compressive Strength
Concrete is rated by its compressive strength, which means: how much pressure per square inch can a standard cylinder of concrete withstand before breaking. These ratings are derived from standardized machines which can evenly apply pressure across the surface of a concrete cylinder.
Compressive strength is largely determined by the composition of the mix. Walk into any home improvement store and you’ll see a variety of mixes that advertise ‘fast setting,’ ‘high-strength,’ ‘crack resistant,’ etc. The main difference between each of these is some mixes may contain additional ingredients, such as fiberglass, to provide even greater bond strength.
If you have a specific mix you’re looking for, then great, you already know what to get. However, if you’re simply trying to follow the instructions for your hoop, your standard ‘High-Strength’ mix will do just fine.
What Does Goalrilla Recommend?
Goalrilla recommends purchasing 12-13 bags of Quikrete concrete mix. This concrete meets the ASTM C387 Standard Specifications for concrete.
While directions state you only need 11 bags, it’s not a bad idea to have an extra bag or two on hand in the event the installation gets a little messy. As you’ll find out, concrete mix can be difficult to move and it’s very easy to accidentally tear a bag open.
Mixing the Concrete
Once you have all the appropriate materials, start by opening 1-2 bags and pouring them into a large container. Add water according to what the instructions dictate.
For an 80 lb. bag, you’ll want to use 6 pints or 2.8 L of water, or for a 60 lb. bag, you’ll want to use 4 pints or 1.9 L per bag of concrete. If you don’t have measuring bucket around, a 2 L soda pop bottle will work to get a close enough estimation.
Create a depression in the center of the dry mix and add your water here. Work the mix with a hoe or other tool and ensure consistency across the batch. Properly mixed concrete should be wet, but firm enough to hold its shape and in an oatmeal-like consistency. You can test its consistency by picking up a handful while wearing gloves.
Do not let the mix sit for extended periods of time or you run the risk of letting it dry out. Move the mix to the freshly dug hole as soon as possible and agitate as you pour to help alleviate any voids. A trench shovel and extra set of hands will be helpful here.
On especially hot days you may need to add more water to the mix as water will evaporate. Always keep the mix moving and ensure the mix maintains its consistency.
Repeat these steps as necessary until you have the appropriate amount of concrete.
Pouring Concrete in Cold Weather
Installing your basketball hoop in winter is possible but has a few caveats. If the outside temperature is below 40° F (4.44° C) for an extended period of time, you will want to reconsider your install date. Temperatures below this threshold can cause all sorts of problems your average DIY installer is most likely not equipped to handle, nor would want to.
If you choose to pour concrete during the winter months, there are few things you or your installer will want to remember.
If the ground is frozen, you will need to wait until it thaws before you can even consider starting. You should NEVER place concrete in frozen ground, since it poses a number of problems from cracking, crusting, and settling unevenly.
Use a fast-setting mix with hot water. As the name implies, a fast-setting mix will usually set in under an hour. While it may set in under an hour, it will still take several days to cure. When mixing concrete in these temperatures, regardless of type, use hot water.
Use an accelerator. If you don’t have access to fast-setting concrete or have already purchased regular concrete, you can purchase an accelerator that helps increase the concrete hydration rate. This helps to shorten the setting time and gets the concrete to a higher strength earlier. Avoid any accelerators or additives containing calcium chloride as this will cause the rebar to rust and could potentially cause the concrete to crack. Do not mix fast-setting concrete and an accelerator.
Use curing blankets. Specifically, for cold-weather applications, concrete curing blankets help to trap in the heat and moisture, so the concrete can reach its proper strength. Additionally, these “blankets” protect the concrete from freezing. Blankets can be purchased from your local home improvement store for around $50-$60 depending on your area. Keep in mind they do not look like the blankets you would use in your home. These blankets look more tarp-like and usually come in rolls.
In addition to these tips, some professional installers may have other methods or tricks they use to set concrete in colder weather. In this case, it may be better to hire a professional to do the job as they will often have the necessary supplies, like curing blankets, already on hand.
As the cost of additional materials begins to add up, combined with the inconvenience of working in the cold, you may find it’s better to have someone else do it.
The recommended hole size is 16 inches in diameter and 48 inches deep. You will need eleven 80-lb bags of concrete for the installation.
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTION: Before you dig, call your local utilities to rule out the presence of buried cables including power, water, gas and phone lines. Failure to do so could result in serious or fatal injury.
For safety purposes, we recommend you have at least three capable persons to assist you.
For best results with less vibration, your Goalrilla Anchor System should be independent of your court. If pouring concrete for both at the same time, add an expansion joint in between.
The anchor system is set in concrete on Day 1 and requires at least 72 hours to cure. We recommend erecting your system on Day 5 to ensure the superior rock-solid performance for which Goalrilla is famous.
Too much overhang can reduce the amount of court space and cause excessive shaking due to the weight of the backboard being suspended too far from the main pole. Look for approximately 2 feet to 4 feet of overhang for the best balance of safety and performance. A basketball hoop with an overhang of 5 feet or more can compromise performance because the weight of the glass backboard will increase shake in the system. A basketball hoop with an overhang of 5 feet will actually encroach on the play surface by more than 7 feet once you add the 25 inches of rim that come out from the backboard surface.
Overhang changes as the basketball goal is adjusted. Goalrilla basketball hoops are adjustable from the safety-approved height of 7.5 feet to the NBA and NCAA regulation height of 10 feet. Use the Goalrilla basketball goal overhang chart here to find your model and learn the distance in overhang at each height.
Not feeling up to the job? You can always hire a professional to install your basketball hoop for you. While you might be tempted to call a local construction company or handyman, and although some of these businesses might offer basketball goal installation, we recommend contacting a Goalrilla installation specialist. Installing a goal requires exact precision and specialized processes to ensure your goal is level and operating at peak performance. No one knows how to do this better than a Goalrilla specialist!
CHECK FOR GOALRILLA AUTHORIZED DEALERS
Step one should always be to see if there is an authorized dealer in your area, particularly a Goalrilla Platinum Dealer. Goalrillas are sold through a network of full service dealers throughout the country, and these Goalrilla specialists can not only help you find the best goal to purchase, but they can install it too. These dealers are installing hundreds of Goalrillas every year, and know our exact specifications, so you can trust that they will get it done right!
OTHER INSTALLERS TO CONSIDER
For some people living in more remote areas of the country, you may not have a Goalrilla dealer nearby. In that case, you might opt to purchase your Goalrilla online. Luckily, you can still find an installer by performing a Google search of “National installation and assembly service.” That will give you a good place to start.
If you don’t have a local Goalrilla dealer or installer in your area, then you may consider contacting a general contractor. A simple Google search for “basketball goal installers + [YOUR CITY],” should turn up some places to start. In this case, you may want to direct this service provider to our installation guide to make sure they have the correct information for a successful installation.
HOW MUCH SHOULD IT COST?
Managing the installation yourself has its own merit, but if you’re paying somebody to do it, you should expect professional quality. Professional installations should generally range anywhere from $400 to $600 from beginning to end. Especially if you are working with an installation company or local contractor, be sure to get a couple different quotes before committing to a purchase.
If you are considering a service provider that is not a Goalrilla authorized dealer for the installation of your basketball goal, you may want to consider asking the following questions…
This is by far the most important question to ask when evaluating an installer. It’s a no-brainer that if someone hasn’t done many other installations, you probably don’t want to be their first guinea pig. Most professional installers will have a gallery on their website showcasing their work. If they do not, it may be a good idea to see if they have a Facebook or other social media page where these photos are posted.
Installing a full in-ground system is a multi-step, multi-day process. The first day involves digging the hole and installing the concrete, followed by 3 days for the concrete to cure, and then final assembly of the goal. Make sure the quote you receive covers the concrete installation AND the assembly of the goal, as well as the materials to do the job.
Most installers have multiple projects running simultaneously, and this is especially true during the spring and summer months. You will likely not be the only project on the schedule.
Before committing to the installation, be sure to find out when they will start and when it will be completed. The installation for any Goalrilla will take at least 4 days, and a particularly busy installation schedule may delay your install date even further. Make sure your selected installer can get your goal installed in a timeline that works for you, so you can start playing as soon as possible!
Disregarding an installer’s other jobs, an installation may take more than 4 days depending on the weather. The concrete takes 3 days to cure in warm temperatures, so when the mercury begins to drop, the curing process can take significantly longer. Additionally, if the ground is frozen, it’ll be almost impossible to dig a hole.
More on cold-weather installations can be learned here. Be sure to discuss these conditions and other alternative options with the installer.
A botched installation can cause you and your family a lot of frustration and money. Check with the installer to see what their warranty policy is in the event of an error in installation. Be sure to make a note on the specifics of the warranty and get a copy if possible. If after the installation something seems wrong, immediately take notes and pictures to have as documentation when calling.
<>Accidents do happen and when there’s a several hundred-pound steel pole or backboard involved, the severity of some accidents can escalate quickly. If an independent contractor (aka the installer) ends up getting injured while doing an installation on your property, you could be responsible.
This is one of the major reasons hiring a professional from a reputable company is a must for this type of project. A reputable company will carry insurance for these types of accidents and injuries, so you don’t have to worry about a lawsuit. Always be sure to ask before agreeing to any installation and see the certificate of insurance for general liability.
For some people, there may be additional steps you need to take before an installer can begin work. The major task that needs to be completed is having the utility lines marked. Since there is a 4-foot deep hole that must be dug at the installation site, you and the installer need to be aware of any buried cables. Call 811 at least a few days ahead of the dig date to have the cables marked.
Additionally, most installers will need to have the area around the installation mowed, the driveway free of any cars, toys, or other debris, and the boxed goal easily accessible at the installation site (If you purchase your goal from a Goalrilla authorized dealer, they will likely deliver the goal themselves for installation).
Also, be sure to ask the installer if you need to be present for the installation. Even if you don’t have to be, being on-site during installation can help to resolve any questions that may arise.
Once the goal installed, there are a few final clean-up notes to consider. Be sure to ask how any excess dirt will be handled or disposed of. If you would like to reuse the dirt, agree upon where the excess dirt will be placed. A request to have the dirt placed on the side of the house or in a designated corner in the backyard shouldn’t be a problem.
Also, if you purchased your Goalrilla goal online, it will be delivered on a pallet via a freight shipment. Ask if your installer can take care of disposing of this pallet as well.
Find A Local Installer
Not feeling up to the job yourself? No problem. View our list below of Goalrilla basketball goal installers to get the help you need.
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Basketball court markings: standards and norms
Author of the article
Khvatkov Dmitry
Consultant in the production of rubber coatings
Basketball field marking requirements are approved by the FIBA standard. The site must be flat with a hard surface, free of bends, cracks and other obstacles. The accepted dimensions of the field are 28 m long and 16 m wide. By NBA standards, the field is slightly larger: 28.7 m (94' ft) long and 15.3 m (50' ft) wide.
Areas not intended for international competitions may differ from accepted standards (for public use, in schools or universities, etc.) and usually vary from 20 to 28 m in length and from 12 to 16 m in width.
Basketball Court Marking Standards
Basketball court markings are conventionally divided into 5 components:
Boundary lines. They are located along the perimeter of the site and set its size. The lines that run along the field are called side lines, and those that are behind the baskets are called front lines.
Central line. Divides the court in half parallel to the front lines.
Central zone. It is a circle and is placed in the middle of the center line, and, accordingly, in the center of the entire field.
Three-point line. It is a semi-ellipse and is located around the shields on both sides of the field. It limits the close range.
Free throw line. It is located in front of the boards parallel to the front line and is limited on the sides by paint lines.
The standard line width is 5 cm. All outlines and lines must be of the same color (usually white) and be clearly visible from anywhere on the court.
Common lines
Common lines are used to limit the playing area of the court. The side lines (along the field) according to FIBA standards must be 28 m long, and the front lines - 16 m. For public areas, deviations from the accepted standards are allowed. Typically, basketball courts in schools or gyms are made from 20 m long and 12 m wide.
Central lines
The center line is parallel to the front and divides the field exactly in half. According to the standards - it should extend beyond the side lines by 15 cm on both sides.
In the middle of the center line there is a circle with a diameter of 3.6 m, which limits the central zone of the field. In this zone, the ball is played at the beginning of the game.
Three-Point Line
Three-Point Lines are located around the backboards on both sides of the field and consist of two straight lines 2.9 long9 m and a semicircle. Straight lines run perpendicular to the front at a distance of 0. 9 m from the side lines. Despite the fact that visually the distance from the ring to the side of the three-point line seems to be less than to its central part, the distance from the backboard to any point is 6.75 m.
Penalty lines
Penalty lines limit the nearest area at the backboard. They consist of a trapezoid and a free throw zone.
Despite the name, the "trapezium" is a rectangle (until 2009year it really was a trapezoid), which is located under the shield. Its dimensions are 5.8 meters long and 4.9 meters wide. The shield is located at a distance of 1.575 m from the end line in the middle of the court. In front of the backboard, at a distance of 1.25 m, there is a semicircle that limits the area for picking up the ball.
At a distance of 4.225 meters from the backboard, the trapeze zone ends and the free throw zone begins. It is a semicircle with a diameter of 3.6 m (like the central circle).
Paint zone lines
These lines are serifs on both sides of the trapezoid (parallel to the sidelines). They limit the areas for players who are fighting for the ball during a free throw.
Zones on the basketball field
The basketball court is divided into zones using markings. Each zone has its own specific rules.
Center circle
The center circle is used as a separate kick-off area at the start of the game. One representative from each team stand in a circle from their side and fight for the ball in a jump, after it is dropped by the referee. All players are exclusively on their side of the field, except for one who rebounds on the opponent's side.
Neutral zone
The peculiarity of this zone is that as soon as the player of the attacking team with the ball crosses the center line and is on the side of the opponent, he cannot pass the ball to the player of his team who is on the other side of the field (i.e. behind center line on your side).
Three-point zone
The three-point line limits the near zone of the shot. Hitting the basket from outside the basket brings the team three points. If the throw was made inside the zone, then it brings two points.
Three-second zone
This is the zone in close proximity to the ring. It is called three-second, since the player of the attacking team cannot be in it for more than three seconds. Most balls are thrown in this zone, so when attacking, it provides maximum protection.
Free throw area
In controversial situations, a free throw is provided from this area. The player of the attacking team must score the ball without stepping over the line of the trapezoid. At the same time, the players of both teams are not in the three-second zone. They take up positions along the paint lines on the sides of the trapezoid and may not step outside the lines until the free throw shooter has shot the ball.
How to mark a basketball field?
Basketball field markings, whether it is an international competition court or an open-air amateur field, are best applied using special equipment. This will ensure the long life of the coating, the lines will not clog and will promote fair play.
You can order the marking of a basketball court in Moscow and the Moscow region from Rezkom. We will measure the premises and develop a design project for the field so that it complies with generally accepted rules and is convenient for operation. For more details, you can contact our manager by phone 8-495-64-24-111.
Basketball coaching hacks: how to score goals for beginners
Even if you are a novice basketball player, we will not give you a training plan, but we will tell you why the ball flies anywhere but into the ring and into your hands. It's all about technique: even with regular training and perseverance, novice adults and children often make simple mistakes. It's a shame, let's fix it. Below are 11 life hacks on how to hone your technique to increase the likelihood of a goal for your team.
Basketball Shot Rules for Beginners
1. Hands up
In pursuit of the attacker, raise your hands, even if you are standing with your back to the pass, and even more so if the ring is in front of you. Your raised hands will increase the chance of intercepting the ball from the opponent by 2 times. Don't overlook this little thing!
2. Throw from the shield
Even Tim Duncan did not neglect them! A square is drawn on the basketball backboard. If you are standing opposite the ring, then aim at the middle of the upper part of the square, if you are standing on the side, then at the corner. If you hit this square, then the ball is at 90% of cases will fall into the ring. The law of physics and no cheating!
3. Look at the ring, not at the ball
Practice driving the ball with your hand, not your eyes, develop tactile control. Your eyes should be on the hoop while dribbling and be aware of the position of your body in relation to the hoop. Then you will be able to take the correct posture, and the throw will be effective.
4. Dribble with your fingertips only
The palm should not touch the ball, only the pads of the fingers. Dribbling should become familiar to you, like an extension of your hand. Then you can change its trajectory at any time and you will have more chances to score goals. Practice with the ball constantly.
5. Throw with one hand
If you throw the ball with two hands, you reduce the chance of hitting the basket. All the efforts of the throw are in one hand (in the right for right-handers, in the left for left-handers). The other hand only holds the ball, the leading one holds it with the fingers, not the palm.
6. Do not jump when protecting the ring
Jumping is the main mistake of rookie defenders. To intercept the ball and block the shot, simply stick out your hands. When you are in a jump, the attacker will easily bypass you.
7. Don't look back
When you dribble, don't look back, but dribble and aim for the ring, focus on shooting (or passing to another player on your team).
8. Bring the throw to automatism
Incorporate the most basic basketball techniques into your training plan and bring the shot to automatism. Throw first from a distance of half a meter from the ring, gradually increasing it. Learn to throw the ball so that it hits the hoop without touching the edge.
Throw the ball with all fives and jump
Throwing Rules:
Head in the center of the body - if tilted, accuracy is lost.
Look at the ring: mentally build a trajectory. If you are far away, the ball flies in a curved curve with a maximum height of 2 meters above the hoop.
A strong hand is in front and throws, a weak hand is on the side and directs, only holding the ball. The elbow of the throwing hand must be in line with the ring.
The ball must rest on the fingers without touching the palm. The fingers are as far apart as possible and grab the ball.
Throwing arm bent 90 degrees, forearm perpendicular to the floor. If you bend less, then you get not a throw, but a throwing of the ball horizontally.
The main thing in the throw is the position of the body and its balance. Place your feet apart and parallel to each other: it is important to orient them in the middle of the basket. Then the direction of the body during the jump will coincide with the direction of the throw, and the ball will fly straight into the ring. When the feet are uneven, the ball flies in the wrong direction or does not reach (although the throw was normal).
Take a deep breath and release as you exhale.
How to hold the ball and shoot in basketball
How to throw correctly: straighten your arm, point your wrist up, and with your hand set the ball to rotate in the opposite direction from the flight. The ball should seem to "roll" off your fingers.
9. Copy masters and play as a team
Watch professional basketball games and try to copy the movements of your favorite players in training. And be sure to conduct game sparring - this will allow you to develop more techniques.
10. Do not throw in a straight line
The higher the arc of the ball, the greater the chance of a goal and the less chance of blocking by the opponent.
Then pour Fast-Setting Concrete into the hole, just four inches below ground level.
aboutdannylipford.com/
So how do you achieve the perfect balance? Let’s find out!
This concrete meets the ASTM C387 Standard Specifications for concrete.
You can test its consistency by picking up a handful while wearing gloves.
Avoid any accelerators or additives containing calcium chloride as this will cause the rebar to rust and could potentially cause the concrete to crack. Do not mix fast-setting concrete and an accelerator.
While you might be tempted to call a local construction company or handyman, and although some of these businesses might offer basketball goal installation, we recommend contacting a Goalrilla installation specialist. Installing a goal requires exact precision and specialized processes to ensure your goal is level and operating at peak performance. No one knows how to do this better than a Goalrilla specialist!
In that case, you might opt to purchase your Goalrilla online. Luckily, you can still find an installer by performing a Google search of “National installation and assembly service.” That will give you a good place to start.
You will likely not be the only project on the schedule.
Check with the installer to see what their warranty policy is in the event of an error in installation. Be sure to make a note on the specifics of the warranty and get a copy if possible. If after the installation something seems wrong, immediately take notes and pictures to have as documentation when calling.
The major task that needs to be completed is having the utility lines marked. Since there is a 4-foot deep hole that must be dug at the installation site, you and the installer need to be aware of any buried cables. Call 811 at least a few days ahead of the dig date to have the cables marked.
A request to have the dirt placed on the side of the house or in a designated corner in the backyard shouldn’t be a problem.
9 m from the side lines. Despite the fact that visually the distance from the ring to the side of the three-point line seems to be less than to its central part, the distance from the backboard to any point is 6.75 m. 
They limit the areas for players who are fighting for the ball during a free throw. 
Your raised hands will increase the chance of intercepting the ball from the opponent by 2 times. Don't overlook this little thing! 
Then you can change its trajectory at any time and you will have more chances to score goals. Practice with the ball constantly. 
Throw first from a distance of half a meter from the ring, gradually increasing it. Learn to throw the ball so that it hits the hoop without touching the edge. 
Place your feet apart and parallel to each other: it is important to orient them in the middle of the basket. Then the direction of the body during the jump will coincide with the direction of the throw, and the ball will fly straight into the ring. When the feet are uneven, the ball flies in the wrong direction or does not reach (although the throw was normal). 
