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How to build a basketball court in the backyard
How to Build a Backyard Basketball Court
March Madness may be over, but if you love basketball like I do, I bet you often wonder how to build a backyard basketball court. Well, guess what? You can build a backyard basketball court over the span of just a couple of weekends.
Having your own home backyard basketball court can ensure your family stays active. As an added bonus, you’re also all-but-guaranteed to perfect your free-throws with a bit of practice.
Sure, it’s not the easiest of all the backyard upgrades to take on, but if you live and breathe NBA or NCAA basketball, then there’s no better way to showcase your love of the sport than with your own home basketball court.
Photo by pololia on Adobe Stock
Follow these five steps to build your own home basketball court.
1. Size Your Space
Step one is figuring out your backyard basketball court dimensions. Full courts measure 94-by-50 feet and high school courts are 84-by-50 feet. Truth be told, a full court definitely requires a substantial amount of space. If you don’t have a backyard big enough to fit an entire court, don’t worry! You can always build a half court that’s either 47-by-50 feet or 42-by-50 feet.
Photo by auremar on Adobe Stock
Aside from overall space, DIY basketball courts must be installed on level ground. If you don't have a flat area that's large enough, rent a small excavator to dig up your ground and level the playing field (pun intended).
2. With or Without Concrete
When it comes to backyard basketball courts, you can either choose to use a premade court floor made of rubber sports tiles or a plastic polymer mix over a concrete slab or without a slab. If you plan on spending a lot of time in your court and want a strong, solid, long-lasting product, concrete is essential.
Photo by Pressmaster on Shutterstock
Your best bet is to call a local concrete company that can come out and do all the heavy lifting. Most of the time, they’ll even install the hoops for you!
If you want to do it yourself, consider renting a concrete mixer to cut down on the backbreaking work of mixing concrete yourself. Keep in mind that you’ll also be responsible for creating a wooden frame and laying all the rebar to support the slab. It’s a big project, so recruit some able-bodied friends to help out.
3. Gather Materials
Collect the following materials and tools to complete your backyard basketball court project:
Hoops
Concrete (if applicable)
Stencil
Tape measure
Tamper
Twine or stakes to mark your court
4. Set Your Floor & Hoops
Measure out your court and mark it with stakes and twine. Then, use a string level to ensure you’re working with a level surface. Using an excavator, shovel, and tamper, move the soil as needed.
Next, work with your concrete contractor to frame and pour your slab. If you’re doing it yourself, create a frame out of supported 1-by-4-inch or 2-by 4-inch plywood and lay your rebar across the plane. Pour your concrete so the slab is, at minimum, 4 inches thick.
Photo by Bogdan Hoda on Dreamstime
While the concrete is still wet, lay your hoop/s and secure in the cement.
Then, allow the concrete to completely cure for 28 days.
5. Resurface and Mark for Optimal Performance
Once the concrete has dried, add a surface such as the rubber or polymer tiles mentioned above. Consider how much use your court will get, your weather conditions, and the “give” of the floor itself to find the best product for your court.
If the surface doesn’t already come pre-marked, use a court stencil to create accurate markings.
There you have it: a DIY backyard basketball court to be enjoyed by family, friends, and neighbors for years and years to come. In no time at all, you’ll be working on those alley-oops!
Photo by Jason Smith on Dreamstime
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How to equip a basketball court in the country or in the yard
Basketball develops the child's physical abilities - coordination, endurance, develops strong-willed qualities, concentration, attentiveness and teaches non-standard thinking. Professionals recommend sending a child to the basketball section from the age of 8-9, but outside the city or in the yard, you can “chase the ball” from an early age.
I myself equipped a basketball court in my country house and now I am ready to share the secrets of its arrangement. I'll tell you what you need to do, how to choose the right equipment and how to care for it.
Prepare basketball court surface
To create a basketball court in accordance with all the rules, you need to select a flat horizontal surface for it and fill it with concrete. After that, I recommend applying a special rubber coating, like on playgrounds in the yard. There is a more expensive coating option - from rubber.
The coating will provide cushioning - the ball will bounce well.
If it is not possible to organize a special platform, you can simply place a rack or hanging basket on a dirt surface. In this case, the ball bounce will not be so strong. An important requirement for safety: the surface must be flat, without holes and bumps.
The dimensions of the site depend on the features of your yard or plot in the country. A full-fledged basketball court has dimensions of 28 × 15 meters. However, not everyone has the opportunity to build such a site in the country.
It is necessary to take into account the technical features of the game. The three-point line in basketball is 6.75 meters from the hoop. Therefore, it is necessary that the size of the site be at least 10 × 13 meters. If you are not going to train three-point shots, a 5 × 5 meter court will do.
Mark out
The second step is to mark up. It is important to use paints of contrasting colors. It is better to buy paints with a high content of rubber or polymer.
If you are equipping a basketball court for children, make the markings bright so that they cheer you up and attract attention. For the game of teenagers and adults, it is better to immediately apply technically correct markings.
Place a small fence or protective net on the site. Thanks to them, you do not have to constantly run after the ball to the other end of the site.
Buy stand or backboard
It is difficult to answer the question of what is better - a basketball stand or a backboard. It all depends on taste, tasks and opportunities. Each of these types of equipment has its pros and cons.
There are two types of racks: mobile and static. The static one is mounted in the ground.
The base of the mobile rack is filled with sand or water - for stability. The main advantage of a mobile rack is that it can be moved from place to place. This is convenient when there is no dedicated basketball court or if you are going to play other games in this area, such as tennis or football.
The main requirement for racks is their stability. It will be much more comfortable and safer to play if you are sure that the stance will withstand a blow of any force.
Pay attention to the materials from which the racks are made. A static rack will be outdoors throughout the year, which means it must be made of reliable materials. It is better to buy racks from well-known manufacturers. So, the American companies Spalding or Royal Fitness guarantee high quality, durability and safety.
Basketball backboards can be made in the country with your own hands from a board, chipboard or plywood remnants. If this option does not suit you, you can purchase semi-professional or professional options in stores.
There are four types of materials from which the shield surface is made: composite, polycarbonate, acrylic and tempered glass. The first one is the cheapest. It is intended for entry-level players. Now manufacturers offer a large selection of colors. A carbonate backboard will provide a good bounce of the ball. An acrylic shield is bought to hold competitions or intense games.
The mobile stand can be moved, so it is suitable for a playground in the country and for those who want to play other games besides basketball
Shields and racks made of tempered glass look solid. They will be appreciated by experienced basketball players
Pay attention to rings
You can buy cheap rings, but I don't recommend doing that. In a year they will deteriorate and you will have to buy new ones. Basketball hoops from Spalding and Royal Fitness are made from quality metal that won't rust in the rain.
The ring must have a springy structure - no rigid attachment to the shield.
According to NBA rules, the ring must be fixed at a distance of about three meters from the ground. For a game with the participation of younger students, it can be hung lower so that it is not very easy to hit it, but at the same time it is quite possible.
Choose rings made from high quality metal to last for many years. For a game involving adults and teenagers, metal chain rings are suitable. They are distinguished by durability and strength.
Know what types of basketballs exist
Success in the game depends on the basketball.
They are divided by size. Size 7 is for men, 5 for women. Even smaller balls are bought for children. The size 6 ball is suitable for street ball or street basketball where the game is played on half the field.
You also need to take into account where you will play the ball: on the street or in the hall. The street ball has a stronger bounce, it is harder and more wear-resistant, but the indoor ball is more convenient to hold in your hands.
It is important to pay attention to the composition of the basketball. Well-known companies use complex polymer compositions for its production. The more expensive the ball, the more complex the polymer composition. The quality of the material determines how comfortable it will be for the players to hold the ball, what kind of rebound it has from the floor and from the bow of the ring.
Another important nuance: do not forget to purchase a pump with any needle.
If you want the ball to have good grip and bounce well, you need to choose polymer models from world famous manufacturers
Proper care
Professional athletes are ready to play in any weather, but amateurs are better off not following their example. If you don't properly store, use and care for your basketball arsenal, its lifespan will be shortened. Humidity will ruin the ball and all equipment, so you can’t leave them outside during rain and snow.
Balls should be stored only in a dry and ventilated room at a temperature of 10 to 20 °C.
Before winter storage, water must be poured out of the base of the mobile rack, and then removed from the street. If you don't feel like doing this every time, fill the rack with sand. Then it will not need to be constantly moved. Basketball stands from Royal Fitness can be left outside in the winter.
Points to remember when setting up a basketball court
The area needs to be determined. The classic version - 28 × 15 meters - is not suitable for everyone. For a dacha, a 5 × 5 meter area will be enough if you want to train three-point shots.
Don't forget the markup. It should be in a contrasting color. Bright colors will interest children and cheer them up.
It is necessary to install a protective net so as not to constantly run after the ball to the other end of the area.
If the shield is stable, then it is safe. A mobile stand from a well-known manufacturer will also not let you down, and it can be moved around the site.
When choosing a basketball, you need to focus on the players. For games involving children and adults, balls of different sizes are needed.
If you want a basketball ring that doesn't rot in a year and you don't have to spend money on buying a new one, choose rings from well-known manufacturers made of high quality metal.
Don't forget about care. Do not leave equipment and inventory on the street. Racks need to be removed to the house for the winter.
How to build a sports ground in your yard?
Content Marketing
Content Marketing
August 5, 2019 at 8:46
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Having a sports ground in the yard of your house or country house is a great way to improve your physical fitness. As a significant bonus, a home gym saves precious time spent commuting to the gym and also offers kids an alternative to sitting at the computer.
Mario Luik, director of sports ground construction company Spordiareenid OÜ, attaches great importance to developing the habit of spending time on the move. This is confirmed by numerous customers who, thanks to home sports grounds, have become more involved in sports with the whole family!
Where to start?
First you need to decide what kind of sports you want to do. Usually it is basketball, tennis, volleyball, beach volleyball and football. If it is assumed that the facilities of the site should allow for the practice of several sports, then an appropriate surface of the site is proposed. “Experience shows that people have completely different interests. Our principle: more is better than less. A variety of opportunities create more attractive conditions for training, regardless of the age of sports fans,” said Luik.
Secondly, the availability of space for the sports ground should be assessed, and what additional work is needed to clear the site to the desired size. The latter means changing the landscape - removing stones and bushes, cutting down trees, raising the soil, etc. For example, for the construction of an outdoor basketball court with one basket, 70 m2 is enough, and for the construction of a standard tennis court, about 700 m2 of free space is required. It is good if the owner of the house knows the composition of the soil in the place where it is planned to build a sports ground (for example, earth, sand, stone, clay, etc.).
Sport Court PowerGame for street basketball with plastic coating, 70 m2 (2019)
What else is worth paying attention to?
After the initial tasks have been determined, Luik advises contacting companies that offer complex solutions for the construction of sports grounds: “The specialist will tell you how to turn the idea into reality. In addition, he will help you select suitable materials and request quotations for different stages of work.” If you know exactly what you want, then all the preparatory work will take much less time. The following topics should be considered:
• Selection of sports ground surface
• Estimate of earthworks (including drainage needs) based on selected surface
• Evaluation of fencing needs
• Selection of sports equipment
• Estimate of landscaping work
• Estimate need for lighting
Materials recommended for sports fields
When building a sports field, regardless of its size, it is advisable to consider more durable plastic as a coating (in the courtyard of a private house it is laid on a stone base) or softer artificial grass ( laid on a base of granite chips).
Spordiareenid OÜ offers a safe and durable plastic coating for home sports grounds from Sport Court PowerGame (USA) (manufacturer's warranty 15 years). It is a virtually maintenance-free solution that can be used all year round in Estonian conditions. The plastic coating is installed without fastening directly on a flat base. It dries quickly after the rain, which at the same time washes it. PowerGame is the official ground surface for street basketball tournaments during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games!
I have three sons who, as soon as the snow melted, started playing basketball with the boy next door. But there was no decent platform. I found Spordiareenid and Mario, who, a couple of days after contacting the company, presented a project for a basketball court for our yard. And exactly the right size! It took about 4 weeks from idea to implementation, and although the construction of the site was completed quite recently, I cannot imagine my yard without it.
Raul
built a basketball court with plastic cover for children in the yard
Artificial turf is usually used for covering tennis courts and football fields. Based on the request, a specialist can always advise the best option. Artificial turf requires some maintenance (it needs to be combed and sanded), but in terms of operation and aesthetics, it will be a good solution for a sports field near your home.
Artificial grass tennis court, 510m2 (2018)
Stationary or mobile sports equipment can be used to equip the sports ground with exercise equipment. Of course, it all depends on the specifics of the sports ground and the desired end result. With regard to materials (metal, plastic, etc.), it is better to clarify their durability in terms of our difficult climate.
How quickly can I start using my sports field?
Depending on the scope and complexity of the work, site construction may take up to two months from the date of placing an order for its construction. Depending on the season, special coatings and necessary equipment will be delivered within about a month. Earthworks and installation of equipment are directly dependent on weather conditions.
Dr. Basketball Cannon Dish All-Star in the yard of a private house
How much does a home sports field cost?
The cost of a project is most affected by the choice of site coverage. More precisely, the amount of preparatory work - is it necessary to build an asphalt or concrete base, a base of granite chips, or is paved with paving stones required? The ability to store excavated soil and access to a site of large equipment will significantly reduce costs. The director of Spordiareenid OÜ elaborates: “There are situations when a client's imagination has to be slowed down a little, or when considering the plans, it turns out that the project is quite simple and the required investment is reasonable. However, there are often situations where the cost of the project is significantly reduced depending on the need for excavation. Since there are many solutions for sports fields, it should always be discussed with a specialist in order to find the optimal solution. ” If we talk about the amounts, then the construction of one small sports ground from scratch will cost about 12,000 euros.
Building a high-quality sports ground in your yard requires, first of all, the confidence that you really need it. Once you have made your final decision, it is very important to consult with experts. It is important that you personally participate in the process, that is, you want to invest your strength, expectations and your soul in what is being created! Then the result will bring you greater satisfaction and joy!
Aile
enjoys playing tennis with his family on the tennis court equipped in the yard
If there is no way to build a stationary sports ground, but you still want to train?
The Dutch brand AirTrack offers inflatable training equipment. Training on these shells will help improve overall physical tone, even for avid athletes. All family members, regardless of age, can train on AirTrack Factory inflatable tracks. Durable mats are suitable for any exercise, as well as acrobatics and gymnastics. “For example, the Akros gymnastics club in Tartu uses an inflatable track for training children under 3 years old,” the director of Spordiareenid OÜ shared his observations. Inflatable lanes are available in different thicknesses, 2 m and 2.8 m wide and up to 15 m long.
A serious basketball player will appreciate the high-tech Dr. Dish (USA), which will greatly affect the intensity of training and the number of throws performed. “To date, we have brought 11 basketball cannons to Estonia and trained young basketball players and coaches. Anyone who wants to keep up with the rest of the world should try their hand at training with a basketball gun for once. For an ambitious basketball fan, the cannon will become an indispensable tool,” confirms Luik, who previously played basketball at the level of the Estonian youth team and the league.
For fans of strength training, we recommend building a unique complex of sports equipment for performing exercises with your own body weight (calisthenics). A complex of horizontal bars of different heights, ladders, ropes, bars, gymnastic rings is safe for children and practical for young people and adults. “This is a great alternative to indoor gyms. Thoughtful and targeted calisthenics training will help strengthen the body and spirit,” said Luik.
Complex of sports equipment in the courtyard of a private house (2017)
Spordiareenid OÜ has been building and maintaining sports fields, selling and installing sports equipment and consulting since 2009. The mission of the company is to make the sports environment for sports fans of all ages reliable, safe, attractive and versatile. “We were the first to introduce artificial turf for sports fields from Sport Court (USA), indoor tennis court carpets from Schöpp (Germany), paddle courts from Euronix (Spain) and basketball cannons Dr.
Most of the time, they’ll even install the hoops for you!
In no time at all, you’ll be working on those alley-oops!
Though the world is slowly returning to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic, parents are still taking...
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You probably already know...
A full-fledged basketball court has dimensions of 28 × 15 meters. However, not everyone has the opportunity to build such a site in the country. 
It is better to buy racks from well-known manufacturers. So, the American companies Spalding or Royal Fitness guarantee high quality, durability and safety. 
They will be appreciated by experienced basketball players 
If you don't properly store, use and care for your basketball arsenal, its lifespan will be shortened. Humidity will ruin the ball and all equipment, so you can’t leave them outside during rain and snow. 
As a significant bonus, a home gym saves precious time spent commuting to the gym and also offers kids an alternative to sitting at the computer. 
In addition, he will help you select suitable materials and request quotations for different stages of work.” If you know exactly what you want, then all the preparatory work will take much less time. The following topics should be considered: 
It is a virtually maintenance-free solution that can be used all year round in Estonian conditions. The plastic coating is installed without fastening directly on a flat base. It dries quickly after the rain, which at the same time washes it. PowerGame is the official ground surface for street basketball tournaments during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games! 
Based on the request, a specialist can always advise the best option. Artificial turf requires some maintenance (it needs to be combed and sanded), but in terms of operation and aesthetics, it will be a good solution for a sports field near your home. 
” If we talk about the amounts, then the construction of one small sports ground from scratch will cost about 12,000 euros. 
Durable mats are suitable for any exercise, as well as acrobatics and gymnastics. “For example, the Akros gymnastics club in Tartu uses an inflatable track for training children under 3 years old,” the director of Spordiareenid OÜ shared his observations. Inflatable lanes are available in different thicknesses, 2 m and 2.8 m wide and up to 15 m long. 
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