By installing a permanent basketball pole and goal, you can create a basketball court at your home for years of enjoyment with your kids.
First find a good location. Level, flat areas in a rectangular shape are the best locations. Try to avoid hilly areas if at all possible as the basketball will often roll down the hill interrupting play and the goal will likely be not level.
You can install a portable goal. They are cheaper and offer the ability to move the goal but for the truly dedicated, a permanent goal can be installed in a fixed concrete base. Most permanent units are more expensive than the portable models and offer deluxe features such as a heavy clear-acrylic backboard.
The materials and tools needed to install a basketball pole include concrete, (fast setting is preferred) all-purpose gravel or crushed stone, plumb line or level, shovel or post-hole digger, basketball backboard pole, and basketball backboard and net.
Follow these steps to install a basketball pole. Then you can follow instructions included with your basketball backboard, rim and net to attach them to the pole.
First, dig a posthole in the desired location for the basketball pole. The diameter of the hole should be three times larger than the diameter of the pole, and the depth of the hole should be one-third of the overall pole length.
Second, place six inches of all-purpose gravel or crushed stone in the hole to assist with future water drainage.
Third, position the pole in the center of the hole checking to make sure it is level and plumb.
Fourth, pour concrete into the hole and around the pole until the dry mix reaches to within three to four inches of the top of the hole. Recheck that the pole is still plumb, and reposition if needed.
Fifth, pour water on top of the dry mix of concrete and allow it to soak in. Use at least one gallon of water for each 50 pound bag of concrete placed into the hole. Fill the remainder of the hole with the soil dug from the hole.
You should wait four hours before adding the backboard, rim and net assembly to the pole.
While you are waiting, you can assemble the backboard, rim and net. This should be done before attaching the backboard to the pole. Most basketball backboards, rims, and nets come with assembly instructions.
After four hours, attach the backboard, rim and net assembly to the pole using supplied braces and bolts. Be sure to measure the height of the goal before completing installation. The standard height for a basketball rim is 10 feet above the ground.
Nightlights can be mounted on outdoor goals so play can continue after dark. These attach above the goal by an arm extension so they are positioned out of the way of shooting.
