Help needed! Can we install an inground basketball hoop behind a short wall?

[Plum Pirate]

This may sound crazy, but DD wants a basketball hoop pretty badly, and we just don't have room for a portable one on our driveway. There is room for an in-ground pole, but it would need to be installed behind a short versa-lok retaining wall (about 18" height at the point of installation).

We haven't purchased a basketball system yet, but we began digging a hole behind the retaining wall about 12-18" in diameter. We are down about 2 feet and are slightly below ground level. We initially thought we would go down 3 feet and fill the hole with concrete, but we think it might cause problems with the retaining wall, such as buckling or drainage issues. So we are now thinking we can dig down maybe 18" below the wall, fill to the bottom with concrete and backfill the remaining 18-24" with gravel to the top of the wall to avoid potential problems.

So this is where you all come in. I'm hoping somebody out there has the expertise to tell me if this will work or if we are just asking for trouble. We live in Western Pennsylvania where it gets pretty darn cold during the winter if that makes any difference.

Any advice from my fellow dissers is most welcome and appreciated!

 

[Carina]

Wouldn't the wall get in the way / be a hazard to the BBall players?

( regardless of the other questions)

 

[deedeetoo]

Wouldn't the wall get in the way / be a hazard to the BBall players?

( regardless of the other questions)

I agree with this. People will be falling into that wall all the time since it will be right under the basket. I envision lots of scraps and cuts and maybe worse.

 

[Leajess99]

I had the same thoughts as the PPs. I would think the wall would be a safety hazard and may lead to some ER visits.

 

[PirateSnowmen]

I don't see why it should be a problem.

We have an in-ground basketball hoop in our driveway right in front of our 8' backyard fence. The hoop isn't behind the fence, but the pole is right up against the fence. As far as safety is concerned, we have never had a problem with anyone running into the fence for any reason at all (I realize our situations are a bit different, but they are close). The actual basketball hoop (and backboard, for that matter) will come out a few feet from where the pole is (depending on the type you buy). As long as the retaining wall isn't extremely wide and your kids (or whoever else will use the basket) are careful, I don't really see a big problem.

We didn't install the hoop, so as far as actually digging the hole and installing it, I can't really help. The hoop has been there for at least 10 years and we haven't had any problems with the hoop or the fence (and the ground where we live shifts a lot).

 

[tlbwriter]

We have neighbors whose hoop is installed right outside their fence. Seems to work just fine. I never see their kids with bloody noses or black eyes.

 

[Marionnette]

I would be concerned that only using 18" of concrete will not be enough to keep the hoop steady and secure. We have a permanent hoop installed at the end of our driveway and have it sunk the full 3 feet. It gets hit with some pretty strong winds that have toppled the neighbor's portable hoop that is weighted down with sand in the base. It's been there for over 10 years and never a problem.

 

[shortbun]

We had a court installed in or backyard last year. I know they buried that thing way more than 18 inches. We have teen aged boys around here all the time. That wall would be toast after a few games if it's made of versa interlock. They'd be climbing it, standing on it to shoot...then there's hang time. For little kids, maybe ok but when the teens come, forget it. You need 3 feet down, completely filled with concrete. Gravel just won't cut it if you want the pole straight. We found that installation was included with the poles we bought, btw.

 

[scrapquitler]

This may sound crazy, but DD wants a basketball hoop pretty badly, and we just don't have room for a portable one on our driveway. There is room for an in-ground pole, but it would need to be installed behind a short versa-lok retaining wall (about 18" height at the point of installation).

The concern I would have would be for the player's safety. I think you'll want to install some sort of horizontal pole between the pole and the backboard so that the backboard is in front of (rather than directly above or behind) the retaining wall. I just see people running and jumping to shoot, then landing in a way that they trip over or bang into the retaining wall. That seems like a dangerour hazard to me.

 

[Plum Pirate]

Thank you all for your responses. We did discuss the safety issues, but thought it would not be an issue because the backboard would not be directly above or behind the wall but somewhat in front of it (I'm not sure I am describing this correctly). And the kids who would be using it aren't exactly NBA material. I am concerned about the stability of the pole and wasn't thinking much about more aggressive play as the kids get older.

I'm now thinking our best option might be a smaller portable hoop which can be easily moved so it doesn't block access to the garage or a larger one near the road (which presents it's own set of safety concerns).

 

[Carina]

I don't see why it should be a problem.

We have an in-ground basketball hoop in our driveway right in front of our 8' backyard fence.

An 8' fence is not a tripping hazard, an 18" wall is. Either the wall, the kids, or both will be a mess after a few good games of 1on1

 

[Leajess99]

Thank you all for your responses. We did discuss the safety issues, but thought it would not be an issue because the backboard would not be directly above or behind the wall but somewhat in front of it (I'm not sure I am describing this correctly). And the kids who would be using it aren't exactly NBA material. I am concerned about the stability of the pole and wasn't thinking much about more aggressive play as the kids get older.

I'm now thinking our best option might be a smaller portable hoop which can be easily moved so it doesn't block access to the garage or a larger one near the road (which presents it's own set of safety concerns).

Would it be possible to have the backboard attached to the garage?? That may be the better option if you have the room.

 

[PirateSnowmen]

An 8' fence is not a tripping hazard, an 18" wall is. Either the wall, the kids, or both will be a mess after a few good games of 1on1

I realize that - I was saying that more for the fact that the pole should be fine up against the retaining wall. But I will say that even with our fence and some large games (we've played up to 4-on-4) on a relatively small driveway, the fence has never been a problem, and neither would a shorter retaining wall. I don't see the wall as too much of a tripping hazard though, but maybe that's just me. I had a friend back in middle school that had a basketball hoop sort of behind a retaining wall (sort of similar to this situation) and we never tripped over the wall.

 

[Plum Pirate]

Would it be possible to have the backboard attached to the garage?? That may be the better option if you have the room.

Sadly, no. It's an integral garage and our living room window is directly above the garage door.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts. I was really hoping we could do this, but I think we're going to pursue a different option. Thanks to all for the advice!