Things You'll Need:
- (2) 9-foot lengths of a 4-inch steel pole threaded on one side
- 4-inch threaded connector sleeve
- Dry concrete mix
- Large tub wheel barrel
- Hoe
- 2 wood slats 18 by 4 by 1 inches
- 2 wood slats 20 by 4 by 1 inches
- Flat-head wood nails (8 penny)
- 8 wooden stakes
- Level
- Finishing trowel
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Step 1
Dig a hole 6 feet deep and 1 foot wide. Place the center of the hole 9 inches from the driveway or playing surface.
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Step 2
Make a square form around the top of the hole 18 by 18 inches. Scribe a pencil mark 1 inch from both ends of both the 20-inch slats. Place the two 18-inch slats opposite each other, and line up the ends with the pencil marks on a 20-inch slat. Nail the slats together to form a three-sided box. Use the edge of the playing surface for the fourth side if its paved or concrete. Nail the other 20-inch slat to the other sides of the 18-inch pieces to form a square box if there is no solid playing surface. Support all wood sides with two stakes.
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Step 3
Mix cement in a wheel barrel. Use a minimal amount of water to produce a thick muddy consistency. Stir the mixture by chopping and scraping with a hoe.
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Step 4
Fill the hole with wet cement. Pour concrete nearly all the way to the top of your form. Plant one of the poles in the wet concrete with the threaded side up. Leave 3 feet of pole sticking out above the form sides. Set the pole plumb with a level.
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Step 5
Finish the top surface of the concrete foundation. Use a flat trowel to smooth over the cement top. Use a level to ensure the surface is flat.
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Step 6
Cover the top threads of the planted pole with a folded piece of tin foil, and screw the sleeve on over it. Allow 4 days drying time. Add another 2 days for drying if a hard rain falls during the initial 4-day period.
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Step 7
Connect the top pole to the sleeve by turning it clockwise into the threads. This gives you a 12-foot pole, which is plenty of height for mounting a backboard brace and setting the basketball hoop at a regulation 10 feet.
