How to Install a Basketball Goal on an Existing Structure

Practice your moves at home with your own basketball goal. You can install one on an existing structure, such as a garage, quickly and inexpensively. Here's how.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring Tapes
• Basketball Backboards
• Basketball Hoops
• Basketball Nets
• Basketballs
• Mounting Brackets
• Latex Caulks
• Levels
• Basketballs
• Mounting brackets

1. Examine the playing surface near the structure you're planning to mount your goal on. The ideal court is level and smooth with plenty of room to play. Patios and driveways usually work well.

2. Purchase a rim, backboard and net. You'll find these at sporting goods stores, some home improvement centers and lumberyards.

3. Choose a set designed for rooftop or wall-mount applications. Some setups require that you buy the adjustable mounting bracket separately.

4. Secure the adjustable mounting bracket onto the structure according to the manufacturer's instructions. The mounting bracket should allow for adjustment to any roof pitch or structure face, or even a combination of the two, with the use of slide assembly and nut-and-bolt lockdowns.

5. Mount the backboard and rim according to the instructions included with your backboard/rim kit. This will primarily entail attaching the backboard to the bracket with a series of nuts and bolts.

6. Check the vertical attitude of the backboard with a small level. (An out-of-plumb backboard can make for some wild rebounding.)

7. Attach the net to the rim.

Tips & Warnings

• It's a good idea to coat any bolts that penetrate the structure's roof or wall with latex caulk to help seal out moisture. The exposed heads of the bolts can be sealed the same way.
• Regulation height of the rim is 10 feet from the playing surface; regulation rims measure 18 inches in diameter; and regulation nets hang 15 to 18 inches from the rim's hooks.
• Regulation backboards are 6 feet by 3 1/2 feet. Smaller, fan-shaped backboards are also available.
• Use caution when handling mounting materials; some can be fairly heavy. You may want to have a friend help.

Who Can Help:

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on 1/19/2006 Ensure the mounting structure is extremely secure, a recent accident in Perth Western Australia resulted in a young boy losing an arm and a leg. He slam dunked on a goal that was mounted above a garage door, the brickwork and steel lintel collapsed and fell on top of the boy. A full solid wall is recommended.