Basketball is a great sport that is played on both indoor and outdoor courts on concrete and other surfaces. Not everyone has access to an indoor basketball court, so your own outdoor court may be your only option. However, playing basketball outdoors will require the right equipment to make it as fun as playing indoors.
Choosing a basketball goal is the first priority. For a house with a driveway that has plenty of room to dribble and run, the best goal is one that can be bolted to the wall of the house or above the garage door. This type of goal is easy to set up, but you will need a ladder and the right tools to mount it to the wall. You will also need the help of a friend for this project; they will need to support the goal as you attach it to the wall.
For houses without a garage or suitable wall, the same type of goal can be mounted on a post cemented into the ground.
If you don’t want a permanent structure and need to be able to push your target out of the way, you’ll need a portable structure. This type of goal is the most difficult to assemble and can take anywhere from 5 hours to a full day, although once the assembly is complete you will have a top quality basketball goal. The instructions will let you know what tools are needed to put the goal together, and before you play, you’ll need to fill the base with water to make sure it’s stable. You can place this type of goal anywhere you like and moving it will be easy. since it will have wheels on its base. An added advantage of this type of goal is that it can be adjusted to different heights to suit different players.
Once you have a goal, you will need a basketball. When choosing an outdoor ball, avoid cheap unbranded basketballs and go for one of the better brands like Wilson or Spalding. Depending on your ball you may need air stems and a pump, however a new type of basketball is now available that has a built in pump arrangement. To keep your ball in good condition, wash off accumulated dust before storing.
Outdoor basketball games will need additional accessories on the court to help enhance the game. When playing indoors, many teams have music to help players run better. If this is your preference, run a wire outside for a radio or make sure you have good batteries. The music will not only cheer on your team, it will also entertain spectators or team members while they wait to play.
Outdoor games can be long and the exercise and hot sun can be exhausting, so make sure you have a cooler and ice on hand, as well as a supply of energy drinks to keep players fit.