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How to store basketball hoop in winter
A Quick Guide to Winterizing Portable Basketball Hoops
If you have a basketball hoop, it would be awesome if you’d take care of it. You want to know how to winterize a portable basketball hoop, protect it from wind and freezing, and you want it to last so that you don’t lose money for repairing it or even buying a new one.
If you’re not going to move it under the cover, here are the three steps you need to do to winterize a portable basketball hoop:
You need to secure it from the wind. You don’t want to risk it falling on someone. I just took two of these 16-inch anchors and lagged them into the ground on the opposite sides of the base. Along with anchors I bought this ratchet strap and tied it to anchors to secure it.
You need to protect the base from freezing. This is what we’re going to talk about today. Read on.
You need to cover it up and protect it from rust, especially if you’re living in a wet area. Also this way drunk teenagers won’t notice it overnight. The simplest thing you can do is use the largest barbecue cover you can find. This 58” BBQ Grill Cover will do the work.
How to prevent basketball hoop base from freezing
1) Drain the water from the base. This is how to do it…
If you want to be environmental-friendly, and not use antifreeze, you might want to drain the base. It’s an easier and cheaper option if you have time to deal with it.
You can try to empty the base laying the hoop on the side. There will still be some water in it afterward, so you’ll need to tip it around a bit until it’s completely drained out. Remove the pole and plastic plugs in holes on top. You don’t want to damage it.
If the hoop seems too heavy or you just don’t want to do the hard work of disassembling it, you can siphon it out with a siphon pump.
I’m happy with my Siphon Pro XL which I use for other things, but I’m sure it will work just as fine for this purpose.
You can also put the hose in the base and another end of the tube on the ground so that the gravity do all the work. Suck on it a little bit, but don’t let the water come close to your mouth.
2) Add antifreeze to the water in the base
If you don’t want to put sand in the base because you want to move it occasionally, there’s not much you can do but to add antifreeze.
Portable basketball hoop bases are made out of high-density polyethylene plastic and in most cases, they don’t break. They are flexible enough to expand when the water goes under 15 below 0 F.
When adding antifreeze to water, you should know two things. What antifreeze you should use and in what ratio with water.
What antifreeze to use?
The answer is non-toxic antifreeze for basketball hoop base. Antifreeze increases the boiling point by more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants and animals are in great danger when antifreeze is uncarefully used so it should be treated and stored with full care.
If it spills, it should be cleaned up immediately. A minimal amount can damage a CNS, and it can even cause death. It’s estimated that over 9,000 pets are accidentally poisoned with antifreeze through ingestion. The effects of antifreeze on the environment are brutal.
So, depending on the brand, the labels usually suggest adding non-toxic antifreeze.
What ratio with water?
Although some people believe that the ratio should be 50:50, which eventually stops them from buying non-toxic antifreeze, that is not true at all. You have two options.
You can use 2-3 8lbs bags of Calcium Chloride 77% dissolved in a big can of water, and you’re good to go. But be careful, this mixture can get very hot. Allow it to cool enough before moving into portable basketball hoop base.
Or you can use 2 – 4 bottles (depending on the size of the base) of non-toxic, biodegradable pool antifreeze concentrate, safe for pets and kids. This is also the best option because of the simplicity of the procedure.
Both of these options are better and safer for the environment than automotive ethylene glycol based anti-freeze. Plus, they’re less expensive.
3) Use sand or BaseGel instead of water
If you choose to fill the base with sand instead of water, you do have good reasons for it. A 40-gallon base filled with water weighs around 320 lbs. If you put the sand in the same support base, it’s weight will go over 500 pounds.
It’s clear enough that sand brings more stability and won’t allow for leaking, freezing or evaporating. Sand doesn’t even cost much, as you can purchase it at Home Depot for about $4 per 50 lbs bag.
The BaseGel gives the same effect as around 390 pounds of sand. If you already filled a base with water, you can add a half of BaseGel to make it more firm.
It can last for years, and that makes it also an excellent option because it’s almost as stable as sand and you can get it back to its natural state (gel) in a few minutes; you just add a mixture of water and salt. You can get Basegel on Amazon for affordable price.
What should you do if the water’s already frozen?
First, you need to check if your portable basketball hoop base is broken and will the cap come off. If it’s not, and if the cap comes off, pour some road salt in it.
Salt dissolves into the liquid in the ice and lowers its freezing point. If you live in a city that has lots of snow and ice in the winter, then you have probably seen the salt spread on the road to melt the ice.
Wrapping up
That’s it really. All you need to do to store a portable basketball hoop for winter are these few steps that we covered. We recently did an article on how to keep portable basketball hoop from falling over, so there you’ll find everything about securing it from wind (and dunking).
Don’t look for complicated solutions, don’t leave it out on the open spot unprotected, and most importantly – don’t let it freeze.
Hope you found what you were looking for. If you’re interested in anything else regarding hoops, you’ve got all the answers at improvehoops.com/hoops/.
How to Winterize a Basketball Hoop?
(**) Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning our company, JCHQ Publishing will get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links, but at no additional cost to you.
As I was jogging in my neighborhood this morning, I noticed that many households have a portable basketball hoop in their yard. Since we usually would have a massive amount of snow during the winter, I wonder how do they winterize it?
Winterizing a basketball hoop could involve draining the water or sand from the base, disassemble the poles, and protecting it with a suitable cover. But the steps could be different depending on whether you will leave the basketball unit outdoors or not.
A few days ago, I just wrote a post on “How to winterize a backyard?“. Since then, I did more in-depth research specifically on winterizing a basketball hoop.
I’d love to share with you now, and hope you’ll find it helpful.
Interesting Things in this Post
Method #1: Basketball Hoops will Remain Standing in a Backyard
Secure the Base with Water
Secure the Base with Sand
Additional Step to Secure the Base with Straps
Method #2: Take Down the Basketball Hoop
My Final Thought about Winterizing a Portable Basketball Hoop
Method #1: Basketball Hoops will Remain Standing in a Backyard
Although it is winter, some families prefer not to take it down as there are times where their kids could still play.
The first thing you should do is to tighten all the loosely bolts.
Then apply a rust converter to rusted area.
Remove all the loose paint, and repaint the surface.
Strong winter wind not only could wiggle the basketball stand, but in some cases, it could even cause the entire unit to fall over. I need to emphasize that securing the base is a crucial step. Failure to do so could injure a child and the people around.
Here’s a short clip I found online where a falling basketball hoop hit a child’s head. Luckily, he is fine now, but we should do whether it takes to prevent that.
Secure the Base with Water
Water tends to expand in freezing temperature. If you filled the base with water, then there could be a risk of cracking. Some families stated they would add antifreeze into the water, then refill with new water when spring arrives.
On the other hand, some manufacturers suggest against using antifreeze. They are concern that could damage the material at the base. Also, if there were leaks, it could be toxic to a child or pets. A dog could be attracted in licking it due to its sweet taste.
Secure the Base with Sand
Many users recommend filling the base with sand. If you load the same volume of sand, it would be a lot heavier than doing so with water. This several hundred pounds of weight would make the basketball hoop more safe and secure.
However, for the same reason, it would be difficult to move it around afterward. So make sure you choose a spot where the hoop will be staying there for a long time.
Additional Step to Secure the Base with Straps
Another way I learned to secure the base is the strapping method. This strategy requires the unit to be placed on the grass.
Besides the two sides of the base, place two long anchor screws deep into the ground. Then hook a strap on the two anchors where it would wrap around the top of the base. Make sure it is securely tightened.
Here’s a video demonstration I found on Youtube
According to the filmer, a durable strap and anchor screws could secure hundred of pounds. To make it even more secure, you could place straps on both front and back of the base.
I’m unsure if the strap method would be good enough when there is strong wind. To be honest, I didn’t know about it before I watched this video. Therefore, you should check with the basketball hoop manufacturer to see what they say about it. Just to be on the safe side, I would still secure the base with either water or sand.
Regardless of which method you use to secure the base, you should always lower the poles when it is not being played. It helps to reduce the wind impacts on the basketball stand. I would also remove the net, as the cold temperature, snow and ice could significantly deteriorate the material.
Method #2: Take Down the Basketball Hoop
Step1:Lower the basketball unit’s pole.
If possible, remove the pole from the base. It would be a lot easier to drain out the water or sand in the next step. You might need the help from a couple of adults in doing so since the pole could be quite heavy with the rim and backboard attached to it.
Step2: Empty the base
It’s relatively easier to drain water than sand. You simply pull the plug on the side of the base, then the water pressure and gravity would do the draining work.
You could do the same thing for sands. There are designs where the base part has two holes in it. To speed up the draining process, you could use one hole for drainage, while using a leaf blower on the other one to blow out the sand. But keep in mind this could be very dusty, so I would recommend wearing an air filter mask and safety goggles while emptying the base.
Some users expressed it was still challenging to empty the base with sand, especially there was only one drainage opening at the top, and it was just the size of a quarter. To resolve this problem, I have seen a man cut the hole bigger. After the base is emptied, he installed a cap to cover the hole. It has a design where you could open or close the plug by turning it.
Step3: Store the entire basketball hoop system
Once the base is empty, you could store all its components into your shed or garage. (i.e., poles, backboard, rim, base.) Be sure to store all the screws and bolts securely. I would put them separately in a small box while placing it right beside the basketball unit.
If you do not have available space for indoor storage, leaving them outdoors is also fine. But you should cover all the parts with a waterproof tarp. This could protect the basketball hoops from exposure to snow, ice, and UV ray. Then you should then tied the tarp with bungee cords.
In any case, the poles should be laid down horizontally flat on the ground.
My Final Thought about Winterizing a Portable Basketball Hoop
After knowing more the different ways to winterize a basketball stand, this is what I’m likely to do.
Although the basketball stand should last longer if I store it indoors during winter, the works involve are too troublesome for me. I would leave it outdoors in my backyard, lower the pole, remove the basketball net, while applying rust converter or paint as needed. To make sure the basketball unit is steady, I would fill it with sand, and also using the strap method for additional security.
As I was reading a product review of a basketball hoop, a user shared that rather than filling the base with sand or water, he attempted to secure it by placing heavy items on top. The problem is every impact could wiggle the weighted items, for example, the ball hitting the basketball stands, you or your child trying to make a slam dunk.
At one time, the items fall off from the top of the base part. Then his entire basketball unit fell to the ground and broke into pieces.
Therefore, you should take proper precaution to secure the portable basketball hoop. It is always better to be safe now, than sorry later.
>> Here’s a brief review of a portable basketball unit that I like. Hope this would be helpful.
Disclaimer: This content of this website is for general information, and do not intend to provide any specific advice. Although I’m trying my best in providing accurate information, I cannot guarantee they are error-free. Information displayed on this website could be subjected to change. For any medical-related question, you should always consult with your family doctor. For product related question, you should consult with the actual manufacturer.
Affiliate Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. Please understand that I include them based on my experience or the research on these companies or products, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.
Jacob Coleman
Jacob is a father of two daughters. He loves spending quality time with them in the backyard. Playing sports, blowing bubbles, and planting are some the favorite activities Jacob and his daughters like to do together. He believes it is essential to spend quality time with them while they are still young.
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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.
Basketball hoop size, height and diameter, mounting options
Balls
Reading 4 min Views 62.3k.
Basketball is one of the most popular sports games among both professionals and street entertainment enthusiasts. It allows you to develop speed, agility and coordination. Balls can be different in size, shape, color, weight and other parameters. Just like the size of a basketball hoop - height and diameter - differ depending on the function. It is not always possible to leave the ball in a specially equipped gym, but if you wish, equipment can be built at home from improvised materials. To do this, you only need a metal rod, plates and a white cord.
Content
Standard dimensions of the ring
Options for fastening
Important nuances
Video
Standard dimensions of the ring
in the ring height until 1893 did not have any bindings. . Only from the beginning of 1894 were introduced uniform rules of the game, which also described the equipment and its characteristics. Basketball nets stretched over a metal circle located at a certain height began to be used instead of the usual basket.
Game attributes standards were created in such a way that the sports process was convenient for participants and referees, and the game became spectacular for fans.
The traditional size of a basketball hoop, its height and diameter are:
diameter - about 45 cm;
thickness - from 1.6 to 2.0 cm;
basketball basket height - from 40 to 45 cm;
deviations from the norm - no more than 2-3 cm.
These specifications are generally accepted standard values set by the International Basketball Federation (IBF). If necessary, the parameters can be changed depending on the purpose: for sporting events, classes at the home site. For children, the size of the basketball hoop with a backboard, as well as the markings, can be adjusted according to age.
Mounting options
For safety reasons, the design must comply with the established rules. The basketball backboard is mounted only on iron mechanisms, observing the requirements of dimensions and markings. Also, backboards should be bright colors so that players can see where to throw the ball, even at night.
The most commonly used mounting options are:
View
Brief description
With shock absorber
A specialized element designed to partially or completely prevent oscillatory, shock movements. Thanks to the springs, the basketball basket does not deform during the game process. Used for sports competitions. Withstands loads up to 100 kg
Rigid
Stands are securely fixed to the floor to prevent falling or shifting - "hard mount". This method of installation is used everywhere, regardless of the destination
How high to hang a basketball hoop is regulated by the requirements prescribed in the NBA, as are the standards for the size of a basketball hoop. The mesh is attached to the circle at the same time in 12 places, avoiding the appearance of sharp edges, chips. This is necessary to prevent injury to players. Direct contact between the ring and the shield is unacceptable due to the possible appearance of external pressure, which can lead to the destruction of the structure.
The strength of the fastening must be checked using special tools. Poorly fixed parts can cause injury to athletes during the game process.
Rigid fixationShock-absorbing
Important nuances
Each game is regulated by international rules, which also apply to the parameters of equipment :
basketball backboard dimensions - height 1.05 m, width 1.8 m;
distance between the ring and the shield - 15 cm;
size of the basketball field - 28 × 15 m;
the height of the basketball hoop is also standard - from the floor 3.05 m.
Basketball stand is made of high quality steel or heavy duty tempered glass. The second option is the most used among sports equipment manufacturers. Sometimes shields are made from less quality materials - plastic, fiberglass. Such products do not have a long service life, they are intended for fans who play basketball as a hobby.
The shield must be firmly attached to the supporting base strictly perpendicular to the floor plane. The design should not move under any external influence: throw, accidental contact. In order to avoid injury, it is upholstered with soft material.
The court can hold 1 or 2 boards depending on the size of the area and the type of game. For basketball in the classical sense, the size of the backboard and hoop remains virtually unchanged. They are installed at a right angle parallel to the front lines at a distance of up to 120 cm. During the installation process, the structures comply with all technical safety requirements.
The main feature of the basketball hoop is the presence of soft upholstery with a thickness of 5 to 10 cm, due to which the manufacturer extends the life of individual parts.
According to the accepted rules, the size of the backboard for fixing the basketball hoop located on the same court should not differ from another by more than 5%.
You can get Basegel on Amazon for affordable price.
If you’re interested in anything else regarding hoops, you’ve got all the answers at improvehoops.com/hoops/.
Failure to do so could injure a child and the people around.
This several hundred pounds of weight would make the basketball hoop more safe and secure.
(i.e., poles, backboard, rim, base.) Be sure to store all the screws and bolts securely. I would put them separately in a small box while placing it right beside the basketball unit.
To make sure the basketball unit is steady, I would fill it with sand, and also using the strap method for additional security.
Although I’m trying my best in providing accurate information, I cannot guarantee they are error-free. Information displayed on this website could be subjected to change. For any medical-related question, you should always consult with your family doctor. For product related question, you should consult with the actual manufacturer.
He loves spending quality time with them in the backyard. Playing sports, blowing bubbles, and planting are some the favorite activities Jacob and his daughters like to do together. He believes it is essential to spend quality time with them while they are still young.
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 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 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. 
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. 
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. 
Just like the size of a basketball hoop - height and diameter - differ depending on the function. It is not always possible to leave the ball in a specially equipped gym, but if you wish, equipment can be built at home from improvised materials. To do this, you only need a metal rod, plates and a white cord. 
Direct contact between the ring and the shield is unacceptable due to the possible appearance of external pressure, which can lead to the destruction of the structure. 
Such products do not have a long service life, they are intended for fans who play basketball as a hobby. 
