How to Install an In-Ground Basketball Goal in the Winter

Consumer basketball equipment makes it possible for kids to practice the game any time. You can purchase a basketball goal that is portable or one that is set in the ground. Setting a goal in the ground can be a complicated process, especially if you're doing it in the winter. You may face a number of challenges including hard or frozen ground.

Things You'll Need

  • Shovel
  • Concrete mix
  • Sand
  • Gravel
  • Level
  • Wheel Barrel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Soften the soil by wetting it with a water hose just before beginning your dig. You don't want to let the ground get so wet that you're standing in your own miniature river, but it needs to get just a little muddy so that it's soft.

    • 2

      Dig a hole that is 2 feet in diameter and 2 feet deep.

    • 3

      Mix 820 to 850 pounds of concrete in a wheel barrel. According to Ask the Builder columnist Tim Carter, you need to mix the concrete with hot water, pre-heated sand and gravel.

    • 4

      Pour the concrete into the hole and smooth it off at the top of the hole.

    • 5

      Insert the pole of your basketball goal until it goes in 15 inches deep. Do this quickly so that the concrete doesn't have time to dry.

    • 6

      Use a level to ensure that the pole is straight.

    • 7

      Apply a sealant to the concrete to prevent damage. If it is very cold outside, you risk freezing-thawing water damage.

    • 8

      Pour what's left of the concrete mixture into the pole to further steady the pole. If the pole comes in multiple pieces, let the concrete dry in the bottom portion before attaching the rest of the goal.