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How to build a paver basketball court
How to build a paver basketball court
How to DIY Build a Basketball Court (8 Step Guide)
Inspired to build your own backyard basketball court?
If you're interested in DIY'ing a basketball court or having a local contractor install a court for you then you've come to the right place.
Last Updated 2nd of April, 2020.
1. Choose the Size and Location of Your Court
Ideally you’ll choose a location that is reasonably flat, to keep excavation needs to a minimum.
Recommended subsurface base: Concrete (100mm thick, 25MPA, Reinforced, Helictoper/smooth finish, Standard slope to allow water to drain off the slab)
We strongly recommend a concrete base for any new base being built for a MSF PRO sports court. Concrete provides by far the best longevity, performance and value over the long run and requires virtually no ongoing maintenance or repairs for many years. Other suitable bases include Pavers, Asphalt or Decking.
- Option 1: Have an elevated concrete slab & then fit your landscaping requirements around it.
- Option 2: Level the slab with the rest of your backyard. This option involves more excavation work/costs.
The size of a full size NBL court is identical to the FIBA regulation sized basketball court of 28m x 15m (420sqm), which is usually too large to fit into the average backyard. We recommend considering a half court, which can be customised to suit your space. Sizing can range from very small approx 4m x 6m (24sqm), 9m x 5m (45sqm), 10m x 7m (70sqm) to a 3X3 regulation half court of 15m x 11m (165sqm).
Precise measurements and planning are crucial in order to end up with the best result.
2. Purchase the Hoop & Sports Court Surface Tiles
The in-ground Hoop anchor kit should be installed during the concrete pour, so ensure you’ve ordered your Hoop in time to arrive before you schedule the concrete. Take note of the hoop's overhang in centimetres so you can plan accurate placement of the hoop anchor, free throw and three point lines.
Surfacing your court with a specially designed synthetic sports surface such as Australia's #1 selling, top rated MSF Pro™ will not only produce an amazing looking result, but will also provide more accurate ball bounce, sound reduction and minimises joints strain/injuries.
3. Level the Ground
Prior to concreting, the space must be dug up and levelled. If you require the concrete to be flush with the surrounding ground then you must excavate 115mm below surface level to allow for the concrete slab (100mm) and sports surface tile (15mm). If you are opting for the elevated slab then you may not need to excavate but you do need to remove any grass and level the ground.
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTION: Before you dig, call 1100 (Australia) or 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. Dial Before You Dig is a FREE national referral service designed to assist in preventing damage and disruption to Australia’s vast infrastructure networks which provide essential services we use every day.
4. Pour a 100mm Concrete Slab
Prepare and pour a 100mm thick slab of concrete (25MPA, reinforced, standard slope, helicopter/smooth finish) matching your exact MSF PRO™ Court Design measurements. Ensure you have someone experienced with concrete slabs on hand for this step. Plan the concreting for when the weather is dry and allow for 72 hours to let the concrete set.
It's recommended to install the hoop anchor at the same time as pouring the slab to save on expenses. The recommended hole size for a hoop anchor system is approx 500mm x 500 mm and 1.2m deep. Please note: Always remember to closely follow the installation & safety instructions that come with your in-ground hoop.
Always be sure to follow the official basketball hoop installation instructions. Goalrilla in-ground hoops generally require 3-5 strong labourers with multiple ladders and power tools. Hoop installation can take up to a few hours for those inexperienced with installing. The below videos provide an example of the procedure involved for installing a popular Goalrilla in-ground basketball hoop system yourself...
Can You Use Pavers For A Basketball Court? – FitSeer.com
If you want to build a basketball court, you are probably wondering the different ways to do so. For example, can you use pavers to build the court? Let's take a look and see if this is a viable option for your basketball court!
Using pavers is a great way to create a base for your basketball court. Not only do pavers help withstand erosion, but they also give a flat foundation for the court. In addition, using pavers is stronger and more environmentally safe than using a traditional concrete slab.
Putting in an at-home basketball court isn't a small project. That's why in this article, we will discuss using a paver for laying a court foundation. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about installing a basketball court, so read on!
When you buy through links on Fitseer. com, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Can You Use Pavers For A Basketball Court?
A paver is a type of construction material commonly used for paving roads, driveways, and sidewalks. Pavers come in various shapes and sizes and can be made from a variety of materials, including concrete and natural stone.
Building a basketball court with pavers is entirely possible. By using this method, you will have a sturdy foundation that is guaranteed to stand the test of time.
In addition, using pavers for your at-home court has three main benefits: they are smooth and flat, ensure a level playing surface, prevent erosion from happening, and are more environmentally friendly.
Using pavers vs. a concrete slab allows for moisture to seep through. This allows for natural drainage, which helps recharge the groundwater supply.
The difference between using a paver and laying a concrete slab is the amount of weight they can endure. For example, a typical concrete slab can only withstand 2,500 PSI before cracking. In comparison, using pavers can withstand as much as 8,000 PSI.
While you won't be dribbling a basketball with that kind of force, you can rest assured that the pavers won't break down as quickly. However, one thing to know is that using pavers is typically more expensive than a concrete slab. Concrete can cost $6-$10 a square foot, and paving could be $10-$20.
Which one you choose is up to you, but it's good to know you have options.
How do you make a paver basketball court?
For making a paver basketball court, follow these steps:
- The first thing you will want to do is clear out your area of any rocks, twigs, or other materials that can damage your paver. You'll then place a weed barrier down around the perimeter of this area. This keeps weeds from growing up between your pavers.
- Once you have cleared and leveled the area, you will want to lay a 1" thick layer of concrete sand. This will help with the final interlocking process. Be sure to account for one cubic yard of sand per 300 feet of the project area.
- Next, you will want to create a suitable edge restraint for your court area. This will help avoid the movement of the sand bedding and pavers. You can use a hard edge such as the house to start the edge restraint.
- Once this is done, you can start laying your pavers. First, lay the pavers flat in a forward motion. It helps if you work in a 90-degree corner and use a preset line to help keep the pavers straight.
- Once your foundation is complete, you can move on to vibrating the pavers. First, spread a light layer of sand over the pavers and vibrate the sand using a vibrating plate compactor. By doing this, you will make interlocking the pavers easier.
- Next, lay a 1/4" inch deep masonry or dry paver joint over the paver surface. Again, use the vibrating plate compactor over the pavers to fill the gaps. Repeat this process two or three times to ensure the interlocking of the pavers.
- Lastly, sweep any leftover sand into the pavers until they are filled. Let the pavers sit for 48 hours so they have time to finish the interlocking process. Afterward, you can add your three-point line, free line, and baseline if you choose to do so!
What type of concrete is used for basketball courts?
Typically, basketball courts are made with a 4" thick concrete slab. The slab should be able to withstand 3,500 PSI and have 1/2 inch rebar slabs. Therefore, concrete slabs are deemed the optimal choice for a basketball court. This is because concrete is weather-resistant and long-lasting.
The concrete slab creates a smooth surface for a basketball game when done right. However, if the concrete slab is installed incorrectly, you may have cracking and bleeding issues.
This means that moisture seeps into the bottom of the concrete. Over time, the moisture will expand and contract, causing the top surface of the court to warp and crack.
If you will install a concrete slab basketball court, then hire a professional. If you don't, you can risk having the concrete ruined and costing you twice as much to have it fixed.
How much does it cost to make an outdoor basketball court?
Several factors go into the total cost of an outdoor basketball court. On average, a basketball court will cost anywhere from $4-$16 per square foot.
So, the first thing you need to decide is how big you want to make the court. A full-size basketball court is 94 feet long and 50 feet wide. While most people don't have the room to add a full basketball court, it is an option.
It also depends on what material you want to use for the court itself. One of the most popular choices in basketball court surfaces is concrete. There are different types of concrete you can use in your court.
As mentioned earlier, you can choose to use pavers for your court. Whichever you choose is up to you, but you will want to ensure it's done right the first time.
To save you money, you can build half a basketball court. Half a basketball court will cut costs and give enough room to practice and play pickup games. With that being said, you can pay anywhere from $17,000 to $70,000 or more to have an outdoor basketball court.
Do I need an outdoor basketball court to practice?
While you can practice on a driveway or sidewalk outside your house, an outdoor basketball court is more ideal. You can work on your shooting, dribbling, and passing skills without a basketball court.
However, if you want to work on your gameplay, having a full court will help. If you don't have a court at your home or a local park, then check out a YMCA or school gyms for time to practice.
The next best thing is to get a portable basketball hoop and set it up in your driveway. Having a portable hoop installed will give you the feel of playing on an outdoor court. To help, set your portable hoop to league height (10 feet), so it can transfer to league play.
What is the best basketball court paint?
The best paint for an indoor and outdoor basketball court is acrylic. There are several reasons why acrylic paint is the best. One, it is slip-resistant, which makes sit safer for play.
Two, it will protect your court from moisture damage. Finally, acrylic paint will give a smooth finish that is easy to clean and prevent cracking when installed correctly.
Three, acrylic paint can withstand exposure to chemicals. Four, acrylic paint will provide a firm grip on the surface.
Lastly, there is an assortment of choices for color options for basketball court colors. So whether you want a color that will stand out for basketball or a color that fits in with your home's exterior, there is an option for you.
How do you maintain an outdoor basketball court?
One of the most important things to sweep your court free of debris and foreign objects. This will allow the paint to last longer and should be done at least once a week.
In addition, you should do maintenance on the basketball hoop itself. Don't hang on the rim and replace the net when it endures wear and tear. It is good to remove the rim and the net during the cold season to avoid cold temperatures.
Final Thoughts
An outdoor basketball court can be a fun way to spend time with friends and family. Whether you want a full-court or half-court, there are options from which to choose. If you decide to do the project yourself, take the time to do it right the first time.
For more articles on basketball, check out our website:
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How Many Basketball Players Are There In A Game?
Basketball court markings: standards and norms
Author of the article
Dmitry Khvatkov
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, without 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 shields 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 with a length of 2.99 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 site. 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 stay 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 thrown 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.
Neat do-it-yourself campfire site: master class will anyone find it useful? So, let's see what I dug up.
Photo: 7dach.ru7dach.ru
Bonfire site
Video of the day
The place, area (diameter of the site) and the purpose of the future fireplace were clear from the very beginning. The materials, construction technology were incomprehensible ...
What we knew from the very beginning: a sheet of reliable thick metal should definitely be put in the place of the fire...
At first, we thought to build the site with old used bricks - my husband and I are generally supporters of the recycling of everything. So.
After the July 2016 hurricane...
After our heavy rains, sometimes it looked like this
This is how it looked back in 2017...
This is our first building, except for obvious aesthetic imperfections
, there were other shortcomings - the brick collapsed and crumbled right before our eyes. But the main thing was that I personally stumbled over it all the time and strove to fall on my face into the fire ... And, finally (!!!) - the solution was found
[All further processes are the work of my female hands - up to the solemn first ignition].
Step 1. Adjusting the size and shape of the platform
A stake was driven into the center of the circle. A cord was put on it with a loop at one end and a sharp peg at the other. A circle was drawn (I remember that the diameter of our site is 3.5 m).
Step 2. Limiter
A curb strip cutter was dug in along the circumference line.
Step 3. Place of fire
Steel sheet 1x1 m, thickness 5 mm
Step 4. Laying paving stones
Dry laying on sand
My first mistake was made in this place
I started laying out the site from the outer circle , although I had to remember that I was originally going to make a fire pit exactly the size of its lid - a lid taken from an ordinary metal barrel:
Lid
I realized my mistake with horror (!!!) when I began to steadily approach the very fireplace
I already imagined how I would take everything apart… But, you will be surprised, everything worked out!!!
Unbelievable, but absolute fact: everything came together literally up to mm
Step 5. Laying out the fire-hearth
This was the 5th step for me, but it would be more correct to start from it
(after laying the metal sheet, of course). I put the paving stones vertically, be sure to check / adjust the cover (!!!).
[I don't know what was my mistake (2nd in a row) - maybe I didn't dry it well enough, but later all the glue crumbled, creating a good blow to the fire].