How to Prepare for an Inground Basketball Pole

Although a permanent inground basketball hoop can be challenging to set up and install, it is much sturdier and lasts much longer than a portable hoop. However, before you can place the pole for the hoop into the ground, there are some things you have to do to ensure that the installation will be safe and secure. This is a fairly easy project that you probably can complete on your own in a matter of hours.

Things You'll Need

  • Post hole digger
  • Shovel
  • 800 pounds of concrete
  • Wheelbarrow
  • Funnel
  • Water
  • Level
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a shovel and a post hole digger to dig a hole that is approximately 2 feet wide by 2 feet deep. Remove all loose stones and debris from inside the hole.

    • 2

      Mix together the required amount of concrete. You will need approximately 800 pounds of dry weight concrete.

    • 3

      Pour the dry concrete into a wheelbarrow. Add several cups of water at a time, and stir it with a shovel. Continue adding water until the consistency is wet and uniform. It will resemble thick cake batter.

    • 4

      Fill the hole with the concrete until it is flush with the ground level. Tamp down on the concrete with the back of the shovel to make sure there are no air bubbles, which can cause the concrete to break and crack later.

    • 5

      Push the pole into the center of the concrete. Use a funnel, and fill the pole with concrete from the top.

    • 6

      Place a level at the top of the pole to make sure it is completely level. Gravity will hold the pole in an upright position while the concrete dries.

    • 7

      Wait at least 72 hours before installing the rest of the basketball goal.