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How To Install Your Own Inground Basketball Hoop
Home > Guide to Hoops / Goals > How To Install Your Own Inground Basketball Hoop
If you love basketball and want to practice your shots any time of the day, purchasing your own basketball hoop is the best option.
There are a number of different basketball hoops available, but in-ground hoops are a better option because they provide you with stability and professional-level experience.
There is a lot to consider when purchasing a basketball hoop e.g. choosing the right seller, the perfect location, the ideal backboard size and the type of pole etc.
If you are having trouble knowing what suits you best, check out our Home Hoops Guide.
Know what you want, but don't know where to find it? Check out some high-quality stuff here.
This article is a step-by-step guide on in-ground basketball hoop installation.
Before You Begin with The First step, Keep A Few Things In Mind
- Find a suitable ground where you can fit your basketball hoop.
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The area must ideally be flat and paved e.g. driveways. The ideal scenario should be to have enough space to accommodate your hoop and the number of players.
- Overhang is the distance between the pole and the backboard, and affects how much room you have to land after you shoot layups. For good balance and safety, 2 feet to 4 feet of overhang is ideal. Anything greater than that could cause shaking because the weight of the backboard would
be suspended too far.
- Take into consideration the position of the sun when installing your basketball hoop. Face the hoop towards the north, so the sun does not get in your eyes.
- Make sure the goal is at least 20 ft. (7m) from any overhead power lines, and no overhead power lines are within a 20 ft. (7m) radius of the goal.
- Make sure you have enough room to shoot 3pt shots at tops, wings and corners. If you want to have a regulation three point line as well as some room behind it, 28 - 30 ft from the pole is what you need.
For a full three-point arch, you need around 40 ft of width.
- Before you dig a hole, you must contact Call Before You Dig (dial 811) to check for any underground power, gas, telephone, water and other utility lines.
Tools and Materials: Spade, Wheelbarrow, Shovel, Cement Trowel, Tape Measure, Stir Rod, Level, Auger, Hoe, 10-14 60 lb Bags of Dry Concrete Mix, Water, Rubber Mallet, 1/2" Drive Torque Wrench, Steel Punch, Screwdriver, Stepladder.
1. Dig A Hole
Digging the perfect hole for your basketball hoop is vital.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that the hole is deep enough, and of the right size, so the metal bars that form the anchor fit perfectly. This will provide stability to your basketball hoop.
You can dig by hand with a shovel, or use an auger or other digging equipment.
The hole should be 48" to 50" (1.2 m - 1.3 m) deep and 16-18" (0.4 m - 0.5 m). Follow the instructions manual to check the exact measurements required for the hole.
Remember, a strong foundation is your key to success!
2. Pour The Concrete
Now that you have dug the hole, the next step is to pour the concrete.
Installing an in-ground hoop would require 10-14 60lb bags of concrete, but it is recommended that you buy an extra bag or two just in case you need them.
Mixing the concrete can be a tricky procedure. You need to make sure that the right amount of dry concrete and water is used. If the mixture is too thin, it will lack the strength required to hold the pole, and if it is too thick, you will struggle to fill voids.
For a 60lb concrete bag, 1.9 liters of water is PERFECT!
To prepare the concrete mix, pour dry concrete in a container and create a depression at the center of the dry mix. Add water, and mix thoroughly until it's firm enough. Do not allow the mix to sit for a long period of time or it might dry out.
Fill half of the hole with concrete, and insert steel bars inside. Make sure the bars are properly aligned.
Once the bars are aligned, fill the hole with concrete and level it using a trowel tool. Make sure the surface is smooth and there are no pockets of air.
When the above is done, place the assembled anchor in concrete, and push it down the concrete solution. It must be fixed deep enough so it provides stability to the basketball hoop.
It is important to make sure the assembled anchor is completely level!
Give the concrete at least 72 hours to cure, in case the weather is warm. For cooler surroundings, wait an extra day or two.
3. Fix The Main Pole
In-ground basketball hoops come with one-piece, two-piece and three-piece poles. A one-piece pole is highly recommended because it minimizes vibration and shake. It is also rust and corrosion resistant.
A 4"-6" diameter pole provides excellent performance and stability. Shape-wise, square poles are preferred over round ones because they are more rigid.
A 7-gauge thickness on the pole is preferred over 11-gauge because the former is the STRONGER choice.
A thicker pole provides you with a better playing experience. It is stronger, causes less shake, and provides greater durability and professional experience.
Fixing a pole depends on the type of anchor being used.
There are two types of anchors used in in-ground basketball hoops: the threaded j-bolt and the hinge anchor system.
The latter is easier to install.
With a j-bolt anchor system, you will have to lift the pole above the anchor, position it rightly, and then bolt it down to the j-bolt anchor. This process will require greater physical effort as you will have to go up and down a ladder to attach the backboard,
extension arms and the hoop.
The hinge ground anchor system, on the other hand, is simpler to install, and does not require much physical effort. You can assemble the pole, extension arms and the backboard on ground, and then align the pole using the hinge mechanism. The pole is then placed
in an upright position, and secured with a bolt.
A huge advantage of the hinge ground anchor system is that it can be easily moved from one place to another. When you move, you can take the fully-assembled pole with you and relocate it without much hassle.
Do not forget to follow the instructions manual.
4. Install The Backboard
There are three main types of backboards: acrylic, tempered glass, and polycarbonate. For a professional experience, tempered glass is the BEST CHOICE!
Out of the three, the tempered glass provides the best bounce and spin. It is also shatter proof, and therefore safe.
Acrylic backboard is suitable to use in public places. However, it does not provide the same bounce and spin as the tempered glass backboard.
In some basketball hoop setups, the backboard is already attached to the pole, but for hoops with a separate backboard, there are a few things that one must keep in mind before installation.
Since the backboards are heavy, it is advised to use additional manpower to lift and install the backboards, while taking safety precautions.
Lift the backboard up in place to the support arms, and secure it to the top mount.
5. Install The Rim And Net
Choosing the best rim for your hoop is another important step. This piece of the system absorbs the greatest physical impact, and therefore, must be durable.
A breakaway rim is recommended. It consists of a hinge and spring at the point where it attaches to the backboard, and can bend downward when a player dunks. It is DURABLE.
Once you have chosen the perfect rim, installing it would not be much of a problem.
All you have to do is fix it with screws to the backboard. Then loop the net around each of the hooks on the rim to have your net fully installed, and you are all ready to SHOOT!
Hire A Professional To Do The Job
If you have prior experience in installing a basketball hoop, or doing similar work, you might consider installing the hoop yourself.
However, hiring a professional to do the job can save you from damages, injuries and unpleasant situations since installing a basketball hoop requires a number of tools, and expertise.
Consider this: if you are going to install it yourself, you will have to buy or rent the tools, request for additional manpower, and the overall process will likely be slower than when done by a professional.
Knowing that you have spent quite a lot of money on purchasing the setup, you would not want to risk damages to save a few dollars.
Need Help?
Contact us if you have any questions, need help with installation or need any help choosing a basketball hoop. Our experts are here to help.
What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions... Lifetime Basketball Hoop Assembly Helpful Tips
Plan on getting a basketball hoop from Lifetime Products this year for Christmas? Don't let assembly of the system slow down or ruin your holiday. Here are some helpful tips that will help you during your Lifetime basketball hoop assembly process.
Read All Your Instructions for Lifetime Basketball Hoop Assembly
When assembling your system, you might find a step that you recognize that parts for and can visualize how they fit into the completed goal.
If this happens to you, you might be tempted to proceed with what seems an obvious step in the assembly without actually reading the directions. While you might luck out and get the step completed properly sometimes, this is definitely not advisable. Lifetime frequently puts little notes on certain steps that will direct you to do or not to do something until something else is completed. For instance, you might read a note that says "Do not tighten bolts until assembly is complete"; or "Before completing this step, make sure you do 'this or that thing' first." By reading the instructions all the way through, you will save time by not having to redo steps when you inevitably get to a step that is not able to be completed based on a previous step not being followed correctly.
In-Ground Basketball Hoop Help
The most important thing I can suggest here is that if you are ordering an inground system and you want to complete the assembly for Christmas, you will need to start several days earlier (longer if the weather does not cooperate).
For instance, when assembling an in ground basketball system you will need about 72 hours for the cement to set for the inground portion of the system, even when using a ground sleeve. Plan ahead, and start assembly with enough time for all steps to be completed properly. You do not want to rush assembly of your system and have it set incorrectly.
Portable Basketball Hoop Help
For a portable system, you ought to mainly consider what you will use to fill your base. Generally, bases of portable goals are filled with water. Water is the easiest to fill and empty with these types of systems. However, water does have some draw backs. For instance, if your climate where you live has freezing temperatures during any part of the year, you risk damaging the base when the water expands. Lifetime makes several recommendations for dealing with water-filled bases; the key is simply doing something that avoids the water freezing. An alternative to this is sand.
Sand is not a cure all necessarily. Sand tends to weigh about 1.5 times that of those units have the base filled with water - depending on the density of the sand you use. So, the plus-side to sand is a heavier, more stable base and no freezing worries. The minus-side is the heavier base is much more difficult to move around and harder to put into the base. Choose wisely.
Additional Help is Available
Lifetime wants you to have a positive experience with their products just as much as you want it. Thus, they also provide a customer service line with trained technicians that are available to help with assembly issues at no cost to you. They can be reached at 1-800-225-3865. Use this resource as needed. Check out this Lifetime basketball hoop help video:
Lifetime basketball hoop assembly can be challenging if you are not sure what to do or how to do it, but if you read this article it will help you know what to do for your Lifetime basketball hoop assembly.
Benefits of playing basketball
Doctors and sports coaches have long been unanimous in saying that to maintain good physical shape, immunity and good feelings, it is not physical activity in itself that is important, but only those that bring sincere pleasure. That is why recently game and team sports have become very popular. Communication with like-minded people charges you with a good mood, makes it possible to make new friends, and the game itself develops the necessary physical qualities.
Basketball has received a new surge in popularity. It can be played both by large companies and by two people: in this case, one player acts as an attacker, and the other as a defender. If you couldn’t find a partner to play, then you can throw the ball into the basketball net alone - this is a great chance to work on the throw.
You can change roles from time to time. Specially equipped playgrounds can already be found in almost every yard and arrange a friendly competition there, and if suddenly there is no basketball hoop with a net yet, then they can be easily purchased at a bargain price from the SportStandard company.
Favorable exercise
According to numerous studies, cardio training is one of the most beneficial types of physical activity. Moderate stress on the heart helps build stamina, prolongs vascular health, and lowers blood levels of cortisol, the stress hormone that interferes with a good mood. After some time of regular moderate basketball training, you may notice that it becomes easier to get to the desired floor without an elevator, your legs get tired more slowly when walking, and there is enough energy for all the planned activities.
Moreover, it has long been proven that physical activity has a beneficial effect on mental abilities. “The best rest is a change of activity” is not really about the fact that if you have been sitting at the computer all day at work, then you need to lie on the couch to relax. The point is to alternate mental and physical activity, so rest will really bring the greatest benefit. Playing basketball with friends or just a few minutes of trying to hit a basketball hoop with a net is a great moderate cardio workout that your body will thank you for.
Benefits for men
Men quite often value the development of muscle strength in sports training, and basketball can help them with this. Although you don't need to lift weights while playing, the length and intensity of your workout increases muscle strength.
According to statistics, most often it is men who have joint diseases. Playing basketball regularly can help improve joint mobility, thereby prolonging joint health and reducing the risk of accidental injury.
For those who do strength training regularly, basketball can be especially beneficial. During the game, the speed of jerks develops, useful in any other sports.
Virtues for women
If sports training that is considered classic for developing flexibility (Pilates, yoga, ballet) does not suit you for some reason, you should pay attention to basketball.
The game requires a certain flexibility from the participants and helps to develop it in the shortest possible time.
The success of a basketball match depends on the speed of the player's reactions. This is an inevitable consequence of regular team training. A high reaction rate can be useful in everyday life and career.
- Reduce stress in the body
The need to live and build a career in a big city can have a negative impact on the psyche. Failure to manage stress in an environmentally friendly manner often results in unpleasant physical symptoms such as migraines, insomnia, nausea, and weakness. This can be avoided by regular, comfortable physical activity, such as basketball. Sports will help you fall asleep faster and wake up easier and will be an excellent emotional release.
Game safety first
Even though basketball is a game, warm-up and cool-down should not be neglected. The ideal option is to consult with your doctor before incorporating active physical activity into your life.
Make basketball a part of your daily routine with the right equipment, such as a basketball hoop net. It can be easily ordered from the SportStandard company. Our experts will help you place an order for a basketball net and deliver it anywhere in Russia and even to St. Petersburg. A basketball net installed in the office or right in your yard will make the game an enjoyable part of your leisure time.
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Basketball on the Theater Square or how we do not see the banks in the improvement of Chita
Part of Theater Square along Lermontov Street during renovation.
Photo: ZabNews
On the morning of August 8, at the weekly planning meeting at the Chita administration, city manager Alexander Sapozhnikov suggested installing a basketball hoop on Theater Square - they say, there is nowhere for children to play with the ball. Such an act of caring looks like a very, very rash proposal that a person can blurt out hastily. However, from the lips of the head of the mayor's office of Chita, arguments were made in favor of such a decision.
In response to the remarks of the assembled officials that basketball hoops can be installed in the yards, Alexander Sapozhnikov reasonably noted that the ball could hit the cars that are parked right next to the houses.
Let's make fun of Theater Square in a more sophisticated way - we'll install basketball hoops and football goals around the fountain, cover everything with sand and put up a beach volleyball net. And you can also stick targets for darts, break a tennis court. Well, really, what's the point?
You can laugh at this, but such attacks by the city leaders cause bouts of Spanish shame and hopelessness in me.
If you want to take care of both children who need a place to play and adults who need comfort at the same time, then approach this wisely.
Playgrounds to prevent balls from flying away must be surrounded by high mesh fences, as was done in ODORA Park or Pioneer Park. If there are concerns that this will not help, then reconsider the layout of the yards - why not try to remove all parking lots in the yards underground. So the place will be freed up, and the balls will not hit windshields, and there will be fewer car thefts, and the issue with the hated “shell” garages will fall off by itself, and during the next hurricane, car owners will not have to consider losses from falling trees and roofs.
Fenced basketball court. Photo: zabor-gitter.ru
I would also like to remind you that Theater Square is a public place where there are a lot of people. What if a basketball hits them? What if it's a small child? I guarantee you that there will be so much screaming and demands from angry parents to expel lovers of leaving the ball into the ring from the square that you cannot argue with that.
Why step on the obvious rake? This is first.
Secondly, stop equipping places of attraction for people with different interests in the same territory. The area is needed for leisurely walks, a relaxing holiday. Ball games and other activities should take place in places equipped for this, where there are areas for different sports, as well as for different ages and specific needs.
Do we really have so little space in the city that everything has to be molded into one heap? Urban blogger Ilya Varlamov told you about the same when he was in Chita. He walked around the ODORA park and noted its main drawback - too much of everything in one place: a cafe, a memorial with tanks, two amusement parks, gazebos, a sports ground, a playground, a stage, monuments, places for lovers and a bookcase in the same place ... The park simply does not have a single theme.
On the one hand, it seems convenient that everything is in one place. But it is enough to recall any mass event and the crowd of people who find themselves squeezed in one place.
