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How to fix a slippery basketball court
How to fix a slippery basketball court
How To Fix Slippery Gym Floors
At schools, colleges, churches, public fitness centers, basketball arenas and anywhere else where you have a hardwood gym floor or basketball court, properly caring for your gym floor while simultaneously avoiding the risks of a slippery gym floor is an ongoing challenge.
As a facilities manager or athletic director, you’re responsible to keep players and fans safe, avoid potential liabilities, and maintain an attractive, clean playing surface. Using the right products and methods are key to getting this done.
This blog post will show you how to fix your slippery gym floor (and, of course, your slippery basketball court).
We’ll share our answers to the following questions:
- How to make a gym floor less slippery?
- How to fix a slippery gym floor?
- Why is my gym floor so slippery?
- How to fix slippery hardwood gym floors?
How To Fix Slippery Gym Floors
1. Dry Dust Mop First – Regularly
Most facility managers realize that dust mopping on a regular basis is a must for avoiding slippery gym floors and slippery basketball courts. However, it’s not uncommon for even experts to make the mistake of wet dust mopping first with a dust mop treatment.
Dust, dirt and debris can get trapped in the coatings of even the highest quality products. That makes grime more difficult to remove later, causes the buildup of residue where the dirt particles are trapped and could even lead to scratching the floor surface.
2. Use A Microfiber Dust Mop
An ordinary wide frame dust mop certainly has its place, but a microfiber dust mop will more effectively gather and hold dust particles as it sweeps over the wood.
Traditional dust mops are great for removing the worst of the loose dirt and debris, but microfiber mops will pick up even more. Plus, you can do a wet (water only) microfiber mopping after an initial dry mop job for an extra-deep cleaning.
3. Use Stronger Cleaning Products
All too often, floor managers hesitate to use a strong cleaning product for fear of damaging the expensive hardwood flooring. Instead, they use mild, neutral products or even just vinegar and water.
But the fact is, these mild solutions just won’t do an adequate job of removing harmful floor contaminants like salt and oil left behind after sweat-water evaporates, food and beverage spills and pavement oils tracked in on footwear.
Even after preparing the flooring through thorough loose dirt and debris removal, you still need a strong cleaner that will not harm or dull your wood and won’t leave a slippery residue. Choose a powerful product that is specifically designed for use on gym floors and basketball courts.
4. Take Care With Automatic Scrubbers
For the first year or two after installation, you should avoid auto-scrubbing your gym floor. In later years, however, an automatic scrubber will help remove the most stubborn floor stains with ease and make the process of cleaning your floor much faster.
Be sure your scrubber and cleaning solution are fully compatible and that you are using the specific floor pad that matches your floor type and the task at hand. Only go 175 rpm or less and work sections of 1,000 square feet or less at a time till the job is complete. Allow at least 15 minutes for the floor to thoroughly dry before putting it to further use.
5. Avoid Using Numerous Cleaners
You are far better off using the right product than using multiple products to clean your gym floor. Using too many cleaners could lead to unexpected interactions between cleaners and might create a slippery residue.
Focus on doing a better job of eliminating floor debris prior to wet mopping or automatic scrubbing. Then choose a powerful, safe floor cleaner recommended for hardwoods. But don’t layer multiple cleaning products to try to make up for inadequate results with a mild cleaner you may be presently using.
6. Use A Floor Cover
Dust is constantly floating through the air, threatening to land on your freshly cleaned gym floor. And even just walking across a gym floor, when done by hundreds of feet multiple times, can begin to make the floor dirty and slippery again.
Use of a professional gym floor covering when the floor is not in use for a day or longer will greatly reduce wear and tear, maintenance frequency and slipperiness.
7. Get Your Gym Floor Refinished
Every three to ten years, you should get your gym floor sanded and refinished. This will not only improve the floor’s appearance and reduce regular maintenance needs, but it will also make it easier to prevent your floor from getting slippery.
Many people don’t realize the real reasons why a gym floor or basketball court gets slippery and dangerous to walk on. It is usually not due to the cleaner used but to the failure to prepare the floor for the cleaner through thorough removal of floor contaminants. Using a strong cleaning product, a microfiber dust mop, proper auto-scrubbing technique and a gym floor cover also help reduce the problem.
Help! My Basketball Court is Slippery. How do I Fix it?
Hardwood gym floors are specially designed to offer the right amount of surface friction. They should always provide enough traction to keep the players safe when moving on the court — without limiting their movement and slowing them down. But the hardwood gym floor needs to be cleaned and maintained daily. A slippery floor can create an unstable playing surface and lead to serious player injuries. If you want to learn how to fix your slippery basketball court, continue reading this page to discover our expert tips.
What Causes Slippery Floors?To create an effective gym floor cleaning and maintenance regime and prevent your hardwood floor from being slippery, you should first understand what causes this issue. The three most common causes of slippery basketball court floors are:
- Wetness and moisture — Gym floor wet spots can cause slips and injuries. Make sure to wipe off any spills before letting players on the court. As your athletes train and play, they will perspire when running up and down the court. To protect your gym floor from player sweat, regularly use dry towels to wipe the floor completely dry.
- Dirt and debris — Dust buildup is the second most common cause of slippery floors. Grit, sand, and dirt can get trapped between the boards or in the coatings of cleaning products, creating a slippery surface.
- Adjacent areas — Your court could also be slippery because of adjacent areas surrounding the court. Dirty exit areas and paths to the locker could be the reason why your basketball court is slippery.
Best Tips on How to Fix a Slippery Basketball CourtIf you operate a sports facility or a school gym, it’s your responsibility to ensure maximum safety and the best performance of your hardwood gym floor. When you know what’s causing a slippery basketball court, you’ll be able to fix it. Here are our top expert tips on how to fix a slippery basketball court.
Dry MopDiligent sports facility operators understand the importance of regularly dust mopping the gym floor. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind if you want to make the most out of your gym floor cleaning practices. You should always make sure to dust mop before wet mopping. This way, you’ll avoid trapping dust and dirt between the coatings when you mop your basketball court.
Traditional dust mops are great for cleaning dirt and debris from your basketball court. They’ve been used to clean gym floors for decades.
We advise you to use a microfiber mop since it can pick up even more dirt and get rid of even the tiniest dust particles. Plus, microfiber mops’ added benefit is that you can use them for wet mopping (with water) if you want to make the floor extra clean.
Use Floor CoversUsing gym floor covers for your hardwood floor is a simple but very effective method for minimizing scruffs and scratches. Gym floor covers are very beneficial for multi-purpose facilities that endure heavy foot traffic. Floor covers can reduce wear and tear and the slipperiness of your hardwood gym floor.
Mandate Proper Gym FootwearWearing proper gym footwear is important for several reasons. It protects athletes from slipping and falling. And it also makes maintaining gym floors a lot easier. Mandating proper footwear ensures your athletes get good traction on the floor without damaging the hardwood’s top layer.
Sneakers with rubber soles, such as basketball and handball sneakers, work best in an indoor gym environment.
Avoid Mixing CleanersMixing several floor cleaners can change your floor’s surface’s chemical balance and lead to an even slicker floor. It’s always best to use one recommended product than to mix multiple cleaning products when cleaning your basketball court.
If you’re having trouble removing the slippery residue from the top layer of your hardwood floor, commit to one powerful floor cleaner for the long run. This is much more effective than switching cleaning solutions between cleaning sessions.
Don’t Overuse Automatic Scrubbers.Auto-scrubbing your gym floor is an efficient cleaning method. It can quickly remove stubborn stains and make your floor shine like brand new. But you need to be very careful when using an auto scrubber.
Improperly handling an automatic floor scrubber can cause your hardwood floor more harm than good. You should always be sure to follow the exact manufacturer recommendations. Your cleaning solution, scrubber, and floor pad should also be compatible with the type of floor you have.
Sand and Refinish Your Floor to Restore TractionIn some cases, all of the practices mentioned above won’t have much effect, simply because your hardwood floor has experienced too much wear and tear. In this case, the best solution would be to sand and refinish your gym floor.
Sanding and refinishing is a regular maintenance practice which you should employ every three to ten years. Higher-use, multi-purpose gyms will need sanding and refinishing more often.
Contact Your Local ExpertIf you’ve tried these tips, but your floor is still slippery, contact a qualified flooring company. They will determine if your floor has any underlying issues causing a slippery basketball court and recommend the best way to fix it.
Maintaining a top-quality hardwood basketball court involves many upkeep practices daily, monthly, and yearly. If you need any assistance in maintaining your gym floor, reach out to us today! We’ll be happy to help. Call (973) 801-7219 or simply fill out our online form, and we’ll get back to you right away.
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 should 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 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.
There are more than sixty grounds in Tyumen where you can play 3v3 basketball on the street. Athletes and coaches talk about the best of them
Hockey — PARI-VHL
October 24, 19:00
Rubin
Dynamo (St. Petersburg)
Hockey. PARI-VHL. HC "Rubin" - HC "Dynamo" (St. Petersburg)
Football - FNL-2. Group 4
October 23
Nosta
Tyumen
2
Football. FNL-2. Group "4". FC "Nosta" - FC "Tyumen"
Volleyball - Major League "A". Men
October 23
Tyumen
3
Magnitogorsk
Volleyball. Premier League "A". Men. VK "Tyumen" - VK "Magnitogorsk"
Futsal - Cup of Russia. Men
October 23
LKS
4
Tyumen
1
Futsal. Cup of Russia. Men. MFC "LKS" - MFC "Tyumen"
Volleyball - Major League "A". Men
October 22
Tyumen
3
Magnitogorsk
Volleyball. Premier League "A". Men. VK "Tyumen" - VK "Magnitogorsk"
Futsal - Cup of Russia. Men
October 22
LKS
5
Tyumen
2
Futsal. Cup of Russia. Men. MFC "LKS" - IFC "Tyumen"
hockey - ICH
October 20,
Rook
4,0002 "Tyumen Legion"
2
hockey. MHL. HC “Rook” - HC “Tyumen Legion”
Hockey - MHL
October 19,
Rook
1
“Tyumen Legion”
9000 3
hockey. MHL. HC "Rook" - HC "Tyumen Legion"
Volleyball - Major League "A". Women
October 16
Uralochka-2-URGEU
3
Tyumen
2
Volleyball. Premier League "A". Women. VK "Uralochka-2-URGEU" - VK "Tyumen"
Volleyball - Major League "A". Men
October 16
University
1
Tyumen
3
Volleyball. Premier League "A". Men. VK "University" - VK "Tyumen"
Tyumen Arena
Articles
June 28, 13:51
Basketball
#Basketball 3v3
#Basketball court
We were given such a chance, it was foolish not to take advantage of it... ”. So, simply, without fanfare, a native of the city of Gusev, in the Kaliningrad region, Stanislav Sharov, commented on his silver success in the 3 on 3 basketball tournament at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo as part of the Russian team.
Stanislav Sharov never played classical basketball at a professional level, he came to a sports school only in the fifth grade, nevertheless, he “ran under the basket” to the Olympic silver medal. Cosmic success, an award that millions of basketball players can only dream of.
"3 on 3" system
Of course, the stories that Sharov stupidly ran around in the yard with the boys, having nothing to do, threw the ball into the ring and, thus, got into the Olympic team, is, albeit a beautiful, but a fairy tale . Or rather, a small part of the truth. Yes, I played in the yard, yes I threw a ball, but the Tokyo success of Russian sports and the personal achievement of a simple guy from Gusev would not have been possible without the systematic work of the Russian Basketball Federation and a harmonious, logically adjusted system of competitions - from school tournaments to the national championship. The Tyumen basketball community is also a part of this system, although many of its members apparently do not think about it.
To paraphrase a well-known expression, if "3v3 basketball" did not exist, it would have to be invented. It is hard to imagine a more accessible sport. All you need is a ball, a basketball backboard, preferably with a ring, and five partners. And you will be the sixth. However, like everything in this world, 3v3 basketball develops according to the classical philosophical principle - from simple to complex. Modern "streetball" is a high-tech discipline, we will not delve into the structure and details of which now. But let's talk a little about the main thing - about playgrounds or, as they are also called, courts.
Every summer among Tyumen adherents of the game of "orange ball" is held under the sign of basketball "3 on 3". Various tournaments are held, including commercial ones. This summer, the people of Tyumen have the opportunity to identify the winners of the official championship of the region. Why? Because at the beginning of June, the Street Basketball Center meeting international standards was solemnly opened in Tyumen.
Thanks to RSE, its commercial partners and municipal authorities. The doors of the TsUB are open to all who are sorry, and, as Andrey Kirilenko, President of the Russian Basketball Federation, who visited the regional base, noted, players from Tyumen should appear in the Russian national team. For starters, 3v3 basketball.
Courts in Tyumen Meanwhile, I wondered how many outdoor basketball courts there are in Tyumen? According to information provided by the city's Department of Sports and Youth Policy, there are about 60 outdoor flat sports facilities in the city, where there is equipment that allows you to play basketball. Including in the "3 by 3" format. The most modern and functional are located at the addresses.
- Street Basketball Center, st. Valery Gnarovskoy, 1
— Tree of Life Park 2 playgrounds (basketball, mini-football)
— st. Mikhail Speransky, 39/1 (basketball)
- st. Chervishevsky tract, 45 cor. 10 (futsal, basketball, volleyball)
- st. Baku commissars 1. Two fenced football and basketball grounds, but the yard is closed
- st. Arctic 7/2. Fenced basketball and playground. The yard is closed, but you can pass
- st. 50 years of October 55 (basketball, volleyball)
- Aivazovsky Park horizontal bar complex, skate park
- st. Nikolay Rostovtseva, 26 (basketball)
Official 3×3 Basketball Rules approved by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) (brief summary of the rules)
— There are 3 players and 1 substitute in the team (mandatory to start with three), the game is over on one ring
- Played with a special ball 3x3 (weighted #6).
- The game is played for 10 minutes of pure time or up to 21 points.
- Overtime is played up to 2 points (!), even if it starts at 20:20.
- For a long shot - 2 points, for the rest - 1 each. semicircle.
- After a foul / violation, the opponents continue the game by "checking" from behind the top of the arc.
- Time to attack - 12 seconds.
For more detailed information, I decided to turn to experts, Tyumen players and coaches, who shed not a single liter of sweat on the basketball courts of the city. Experts unanimously note that most of the sites are designed for practicing several team sports.
Vadim Dovgalyuk - responsible for the "Basketball 3 on 3" direction in the Basketball Federation of the Tyumen Region.
— Tyumen 3v3 basketball courts. I personally visited the one located on Mikhail Speransky Street. Further, the Tree of Life Park and the 3v3 Street Basketball Center.
I would also like to point out the playground near school No. 92 on Gondatti Street 13. Before the opening of the TSUB, perhaps the largest number of people playing basketball gathered there.
You can also play on the playground near School No. 48 on Sudoremontnaya Street. In general, at the moment I would recommend three sites. Of course, the CUB is the standard of the international format. Next comes the playground in the Tree of Life park. It was on it that we held all the 3v3 basketball championships and tournaments last season.
There is a standard markup, which is inferior in quality only to the TsUB. The disadvantage of the "Tree of Life" is the remoteness of the location from most urban areas. It is located in Novopatrushevo, therefore, there are problems with accessibility, but this, if I may say so, is a rather minor drawback compared to the pluses.
- So, the criteria for assessing the quality of the "3 on 3" basketball courts . ..
- They are like that. Availability, number of courts, markings (standard or not), quality of posts, backboards and rings (materials, height). Well, and the availability of sports infrastructure - workout zones, treadmills, stands for spectators. Narrow specialization is also important. So that, for example, there are no volleyball or football markings on the basketball court.
Now it is very "fashionable" in our city yards to build a basketball court also ... with football goals! Firstly, it is unsafe, and, secondly, competition begins for who is currently playing on the court - basketball players, volleyball players or football players.
Evgenia Shurshilina — Chairman of the Board of the Basketball Federation of the Tyumen Region
— The new Street Basketball Center is the only site in the city with a standard hoop height of 3 meters 5 centimeters. In other places it is less than three meters. For example, in Gilyovskaya Grove there is a cool playground with excellent coverage, but the height of the rings, unfortunately, is lower than the standard.
And in the new center there are three courts, two training courts, five rings, it is even possible to hold the championship of Russia. I think that with the advent of the TSUB, we will hold it in Tyumen.
Nikita Nemchinov — Head of ANO Development of Basketball Competences
— There are a lot of places where you can basically play basketball on the street in Tyumen. But everything depends on their quality and compliance with standards. Of course, for those who just want to go out into the yard in the evening and leave the ball, one ring and a small piece of some kind of coating are enough, even if it is banal asphalt.
But for people who want to play basketball and just improve their skills in this sport, and there are a lot of such people in Tyumen even among adults, not to mention children and teenagers, this is not enough. We need well-equipped, preferably standard or at least close to it, sites.
One of the most popular places in the city where basketball players traditionally gathered was the playground near School No.
92 at Gondatti 13. For lack of a better place, many summer street basketball tournaments were held there for many years. Accordingly, it was maintained in a more or less "working" condition, but now it has fallen into disrepair. On the surface of the bald spots, the rings were "bent", although the "old-timers" regularly repaired them on their own.
Next, a playground near school No. 48 on Sudoremontnaya. It is very good, the largest in size, but the rings are of different heights and, frankly, it has become morally obsolete. In some places, the coating simply failed and holes formed.
— What can you say about the sites in residential complexes?
- In general, they are quite good, but not always suitable for large events, regular games or training. Such playgrounds are designed for residents of high-rise buildings, for children who go out into the yard to leave the ball in their free time. But when representatives of the basketball community begin to train on such sites, the sites do not withstand the load.
Nets are torn, shields are cracking.
This is not happening because basketball players carelessly treat the infrastructure, but simply for intensive training, the appropriate equipment is needed. Plus, the sites are made according to standards, which drastically limits their functionality.
Katarina Ryl, player of the Gvardiya-TIU team, participant in the All-Star Game of the Russian Student Basketball Association
— I can mention two fairly good venues. These are the Tree of Life Park and the recently opened Street Basketball Center. We had tournaments there. If we talk about TSUB, then this is the best venue that meets the requirements of official and international competitions, for example, the national championship in 3v3 basketball. I do not think that other sites in Tyumen are suitable for this.
Daniil Kuznetsov, player of the Gvardia-TIU team, participant in the All-Star Game of the Russian Student Basketball Association
— First of all, there are a lot of school playgrounds in the city.
Everything a normal guy needs is there. Shield, basket, come and drop it. But, of course, there are fewer places where you can actively move around and play. The playground in the Tree of Life park in Novopatrushevo and the recently opened 3v3 Street Basketball Center come to mind.
- By what criteria do you evaluate?
- If we are talking about the street, then, first of all, you look at what coverage. It must be made of non-slip material. There are rubber covers. On the one hand, they are soft, but if you fall at speed, you will skin your legs.
Here in the "Street Basketball Center" on Gnarovska the surface is something between concrete and rubber. In my opinion, this is the ideal option. It is neither slippery nor very hard. Then the rings. They are metal, very rigid, which is unsafe in terms of injuries. Ideally, the rings should be with a cushioning effect.
— How do you generally feel about 3v3 basketball?
- I support this direction with all my heart and soul.