Having a basketball hoop in your driveway can offer hours of practice, healthy fun, and quality time with your friends and family. Though basketball driveway setups might look professional and complex to install, they are actually quite simple for anyone to put together.
Your driveway size, your location, and your basketball hoop needs will all dictate what type of setup is best for you. Make sure you have the right ladder, a good hole digger, all the nuts and bolts, and the manufacturer’s instruction manual so that the process is simple from the start.
If you love basketball and want the ability to play “horse” or practice right in your driveway, you can easily create your own basketball driveway setup. This guide will give you the tips and tricks you need to make sure your hoop is installed safely, securely, and properly.
Building Your Own Basketball Hoop
Building your own basketball hoop from out of spare wood and scaffolding sounds like a fun DIY project. It can be a unique take on a typical basketball hoop and offer a lot of opportunity for personalization. While building your own basketball hoop is definitely doable, it will take much more
- Effort
- Money
- Energy
- Time
than purchasing a kit from a manufacturer. If you are someone who wants a professional grade basketball hoop in their driveway without having to build it from scratch, simply setting it up will be the only thing you need to do.
What to Expect When Setting Up Your Driveway Basketball Hoop
There are many factors that go into the safe and proper installation of your driveway basketball setup. Making sure you have the right amount of space, the right type of hoop for your family, and the right tools will be paramount to your success.
Using any included instruction manual along with our how-to guide will be the safest way to ensure that your basketball hoop goes up easily, efficiently, and remains standing for years to come.
The 3 Different Types of Driveway Hoops
After you have decided to install a driveway basketball hoop on your property, you must make the important decision of which type of hoop you are going to buy. This decision will determine
- What precautions must be taken while installing
- Exactly how you will need to install your hoop
- Whether or not your hoop will have a pole and supports
- Where in your yard or on your driveway you will be able to install
There are typically three main types of basketball driveway setups that you have the ability to choose from:
- Garage mount: a hoop that is mounted on the front of your garage or side of your house, either with or without a backboard
- In-ground: a large in-ground hoop with its support pole installed into the ground of your driveway, often secured with cement or concrete
- Portable: a weighted hoop with a based on wheels that can be moved around
Keep Yourself and Your Family Safe
When installing any sort of sporting goods equipment, it is very important to keep yourself and those around you safe from injury by taking reasonable precautions. While putting together your basketball driveway setup, make sure that you have these important safety items with you or close by at all times:
- Back Support–wearing a back support is always important when lifting heavy loads, carrying something at least half your body weight, or doing an activity that involves a lot of bending over; such as digging holes.
- Ropes– if you are assembling large equipment such as
- Poles
- Supports
- Backboards
- Another Person– it is always best to ask for help when attempting large construction or assembly projects.
- Instruction Manual– if your hoop comes with an instruction manual, make sure to read the directions first in order to assure proper installation for the safety of yourself and your family.
Choosing The Right Tools for the Job
Along with the proper safety attire, you will need the right tools to help you accomplish installing your hoop and to make sure that it remains strong and sturdy:
- Hole Digger– while you can use a shovel, a hole digger makes faster and easier work of digging foundation holes for in-ground poles.
- Concrete– when securing an in-ground basketball hoop, you will need to pour concrete around the pole into the foundation hole in order to secure the hoop to your driveway.
- Measuring Tape– a measuring tape will be an important tool to measure the exact dimensions of your driveway, as well as to make sure any markings or holes are created in the correct location on your property.
- Wrench– having a wrench nearby when doing any physical assembly is helpful for when you need to unscrew or loosen a tightly fitted object.
- Screws and Screwdriver– always have extra screws and a screwdriver with you for tightening and attaching screws and bolts, especially when putting together
- A basketball hoop
- Backboard
- Poles
- Supports
- Ladder or stepping stool– you will need to use a ladder or large stepping stool to reach your garage if mounting a hoop, and will need to reach the tall backboard of your portable or in-ground basketball hoop when attaching the net and securing the brackets.
How to Install a Simple Garage Mount
Installing a basketball hoop garage mount is one of the most space effective ways to turn your driveway into a small basketball court. With no major construction needed, you can order your hoop and mount directly and install it with little preparation.
I recommend this Silverback NXT 54″ Wall Mounted Adjustable-Height Basketball Hoop (link to Amazon) if you want a large enough backboard for a driveway. A typical 2 car driveway will need a 54″ backboard to play basketball and practice effectively.
This is a great project to do with a friend or with your children, though it does require standing on a ladder so that you reach above your garage door.
Deciding on the Size
There are a few different sizes of garage mounts when it comes to mountable basketball hoops. Deciding what type of net and backboard material you want, including the size of backboard, will help you determine how big your mount and mounting brackets should be.
The weather where you live can also help dictate what type of garage mount is right for you. If it tends to snow heavily in the winter, you will want an all-seasons net and a ring that will not rust when wet. Make sure to decide before you purchase, because garage mounts tend to come with all the pieces needed to secure itself to your garage or wall.
Determining Its Location
Choosing where you want to permanently install your garage mount basketball hoop will determine where you are able to play ball in the future. If you tend to park in your driveway, choose a different location that will not interfere with your ability to park, and will not lead to any damage if the ball hits your car.
While placing your hoop directly over your parking spot is not recommended, I don’t find it to be a big deal to go out and move my car before playing basketball.
Mounting the Hoop
After you have decided on both the size and the location for your garage mount, it is time to mount your hoop. When your hoop arrives in the mail or after you have picked it up from the store, make sure to check that all of the pieces to your mount are there. Then, carefully remove each piece and follow the specific instructions in the manual.
Typically Basketball Hoop Mount Instructions:
- Check Marks: mark x’s or check marks on the wall or right above the garage exactly where you plan to connect your backboard mount.
- Screw the Brackets: screw the brackets directly into those markings.
- Patch Up: go back over the markings in order to paint or spackle over any holes to prevent weather damage and rust.
- Attach the Backboard: attach the backboard to the mounted brackets.
- Hoop and Net: attach the hoop and the net to the front of the backboard.
- Test It: give the whole thing a slight tug in order to test its stability.
- Enjoy: if the mount feels stable and was installed according to the manual’s instructions, you are now ready to shoot some hoops and enjoy.
For more in-depth information, check out our article How To Install A Basketball Hoop On A Garage, House, or Wall. We go over the exact steps you need to follow, whether your set came with instructions or not.
Here’s video of someone installing a basketball set on their garage. Hopefully you can learn from this video how the process will go, what to do, and what to avoid.
Setting Up a Strong In-Ground Hoop
While installing an in-ground hoop can prove to be a little bit more involved than the other types of hoop installation, they provide the sturdiest option for your driveway basketball setup, with kits available for purchase online.
I suggest the Silverback 60″ In Ground Basketball Hoop (link to Amazon) for in-ground basketball hoops. If you’re serious enough about basketball to install an in-ground hoop, you want to get something good quality that will last a long time.
Measuring Your Driveway
When deciding to go with the in-ground basketball hoop option for your driveway, it is important to measure your driveway and know its exact square footage. Not all driveways are created the exact same way, so knowing if your driveway has an even number or odd number of square feet, whether it is curved or totally straight, and whether it sits on a slight hill or slant will be important for the success of your in-ground hoop.
While some people like to measure with footsteps, you will get a more accurate reading if you measure with a construction measuring tape, or even with a yardstick. Make chalk marks on your driveway as you go so as not to forget the length and width.
If you plan on marking your court, for example, the free throw line and key. Keep that in mind when measuring and laying out your court location. I recommend using a decent kit like this Easy Basketball Court Stencil Kit (link to Amazon) to map out the court under the hoop.
Here’s a video showing the process in case you’re interested.
Researching Safe Underground Points
Since in-ground basketball hoop units are built into the ground of your property, you will need to research the places on or near your driveway where it is safe for you to dig. Look out for these underground utilities:
- Electrical wires
- Sewage pipes
- Gas Lines
- Cable Lines
- Other utilities often buried underground
It’s imperative that you do not strike one of these when you start digging the post hole. The best way to know that it’s safe to dig around your home is by calling your city’s utility hotline or hiring a professional.
Digging The Hole and Installing The Anchor
Once you know it is safe to dig on your property, you will need to dig a hole deep enough and wide enough to install the basketball pole. This pole will support the background and the hoop every time you score, and will need to be installed securely in-ground. Use a shovel to dig as far as the manual instructs, stopping if you hit
- Wires
- Pipes
- Water
Typically, you’ll need to dig at least a 2 to 3 feet to secure a basketball pole in the ground. The Silverback 60″ In Ground Basketball Hoop (link to Amazon) just requires that you pour a base of concrete to mount the pole too. This is useful for if you decide to move, you can take the basketball hoop with you.
Raising the Pole
After you have dug a hole for the support pole it is time to raise the pole. Insert the pole for the in-ground basketball hoop unit and secure it either with rope or with the help of other adults. You will then need to fill the hole with soft cement or concrete, holding it in place until it has dried completely.
After the concrete has dried, it’s then safe to attach the backboard to the pole with support brackets, the rim to the backboard with screws, and connect the net. Test out the hoop by giving a little push and pull to make sure it’s solid.
When Should You Call A Professional?
Calling a professional is not always necessary when installing your own in-ground basketball driveway set up, but can be helpful if you hit a snag in the process:
- You can’t figure out where to start digging, even after you have called your city utility hotline.
- You have started digging your post hole and suddenly hit water, wires, or pipes.
- Your concrete won’t dry within your post hole even after days of waiting.
- Your basketball hoop is unstable or crooked even after the cement has dried.
- You do not have assistance from other able-bodied adults.
If you’re not sure about doing any of these steps alone, I recommend looking into HomeAdvisor Handyman Services to find a local handyman that can help with any of the installation steps.
How to Set Up a Convenient Portable Hoop
If you have decided that a convenient, practical, and easily adjustable portable basketball hoop is best for your family’s driveway, you can find one with high ratings online. Not only are they move-able and easier to take with you than an in-ground hoop, but they are easily height adjustable to accommodate all players.
I recommend checking out this Lifetime 48″ Portable Basketball System (link to Amazon) if you’re considering a portable option. This is one of the most popular portable basketball hoops, and has been for years.
Double Check the Box
When ordering a portable hoop, make sure that all pieces are in the box upon its arrival. If the company you ordered from forgets to include a bolt or support beam, it could mean your hoop isn’t safe for use. If you notice that something is missing from the box, simply contact the manufacturing company and let them know.
Put Together the Base
Most bases arrive empty and are meant to be filled with water or sand, or covered with sand bags, in order to remain grounded without toppling over. Before filling your base tank, attach the wheels according to the instruction manual.
Most portable basketball hoops come with retractable wheels so that the hoop is easy to move from place to place as needed. After adding the wheels, fill your base and turn it right side up.
Connecting the Supports and Pole
Once your portable basketball hoop base is filled and standing upright, locate the connection points where you will attach it to the pole. The pole may come in two pieces or be fold-able depending on the brand you purchase, so pay close attention to the instruction manual when securing the pole in its final form.
After the pole is attached to the base, add the brackets and supports that will balance it when it endures the weight of a basketball. There are often two sets of pole supports: one set for the base and one set for the backboard.
Tying It All Together
After your pole is thoroughly and securely attached to both the base and the backboard using the:
- Brackets
- Screws
- Nuts
- Bolts
These are provided by the manufacturer. Attach the hoop rim to the backboard and connect the net to the rim. Portable basketball hoops often have different net capabilities and adjustable heights depending on the brand, so take the time beforehand to decide what’s right for you. The options are usually:
Net Options
- Polypropylene fibers
- Nylon
- Indoor nets
- Outdoor nets
- All-weather
Backboard Material Options
- Polycarbonate
- Acrylic
- Painted Glass
- Plastic
Making Your Basketball Driveway Setup Last A Lifetime
Playing basketball in the driveway in your free time, having friends over to shoot some hoops, or passing your love of the game on to your children can be some of the most rewarding reasons for getting a basketball driveway setup for your home.
The proper care and maintenance of your set will assure that you get the most out of your hoop for as long as possible. Take care of your basketball driveway hoop by doing the following:
- Switch out your net every 3-5 years due to wear and tear by both play and weather.
- Paint over any chips or scratches that you see right away in order to avoid material and paint peeling.
- Cover your hoop up with a durable tarp during snowy and inclement weather or heavy rain storms to avoid rust.
- Check your hoop, ring, backboard, and support brackets once per year to make sure that screws, nuts, and bolts are still tightly secured.
The benefits of getting a basketball driveway setup definitely tend to outweigh the effort that it takes to install one. There are always fun times to be had playing basketball. Check out our 14 Fun Basketball Games article to get an idea of the different games you can play.
Critical thinking, strengthened personal relationships, improved cardiovascular health, and increased communication skills, are just some of the benefits of playing basketball outdoors and in your own driveway with friends and family, or even just by yourself.
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