Although portable basketball hoops have a number of advantages due to their portability, they are more costly to install and need less space than their in-ground counterparts. However, there are a few shortcomings with having a portable basketball hoop.
Whenever a portable hoop is subjected to strong winds, it may lean or break at the very least, which can cause serious safety concerns. This occurs even when a hoop is drenched heavily, which can pose an even greater danger.
Although many basketball systems come with sturdy bases sometimes it’s just not enough. If safety is a concern for your family, here are some tips to help keep your basketball hoop from falling over.
1. Add Sandbags for Extra Weight
Manufacturers generally design portable basketball hoops so that they are stable but sometimes additional reinforcement is necessary to prevent the hoops from falling over. An inexpensive solution is to purchase sandbags (preferably 60-pound sandbags) and lay them over the sand-filled base. This will keep your hoops stable in light breezes, however, it’s less efficient for extended use.
2. Replace the Water with Sand
In terms of stability, water may be satisfactory, but it’s not as powerful as sand. Sand is 45% denser than water. The difference is that oil weighs around thirteen pounds per gallon, while water weighs only eight. In addition, during the winter, the ground around the hoop will freeze, making it even more unstable.
If you do not intend to move the basketball hoop as often, prefer using sand as opposed to water. Other options include the Spalding Hybrid Hoop, which lets you combine the two for extra stability.
3. Use Base Gel Instead of Water
Based on the properties of the Gel, it almost acts as sand and is definitely a better option than water. It’s constructed with a super-absorbent polymer that has the unique capability to absorb more than 400 times its weight when immersed in water.
The advantage is that you don’t need to replace it for years. Use a durable base gel-like the Basketball Goal Portable Polymer instead of water for a firmer system. Or fill half of the system with gel and the other half with water.
It’s also great if your base has a few cracks in it because it won’t leak. Here is a quick breakdown of how to use this product
- Add the base gel polymer packet two-thirds of the way to the portable basketball hoops.
- Your garden hose can be used to fill the base half full with water.
- Add the rest of the Base Gel packet and fill the base to about 1/2”, leaving the top open.
- It will set in 5-10 minutes so the water gets absorbed and forms a firm gel.
- If the gel cannot be deactivated, add a solution of table salt and water. Flush the base with water and rinse into the storm drain
4. Use a Ground Anchor and Ratchet Straps
It’s easy to secure your basketball hoop with a ground anchor and ratchet strap, and it’s free. Attach the anchors by hammering them on either side of the hoop (about 6 inches into the ground) then thread through ratchet straps, securing the anchor to each end, for a tighter fit.
If you want to erect the basketball hoop on concrete, use a cordless drill to make the job easier. This is a very good product that you can try out, the Liberty Outdoor Spiral Ground Anchor.
5. Upgrade to an In-ground Hoop
All these tips may not work, especially in extremely windy areas (ground anchor and ratchet strap your best bet here), but you don’t have to give up your love for basketball just because your hoop’s unstable.
Another option would be to install an in-ground basketball hoop. The stability of in-ground hoops comes at a cost. They are more expensive (especially if you opt for the top of the line model) but are ideal for anyone who intends to install its location permanently.
Focus on Safety First
To make a portable basketball hoop firmer, people tend to do all sorts of things. Some people use duct tape to secure the base, while others build up the base with some bricks.
This can seem like a good idea at first, but these ideas can be unhealthy or dangerous for you and your family. Consider the tips presented above and you can play basketball without having to worry about your hoop falling over.
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