Building Tips for Backyard Courts

January 31, 2023

SPORT COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS GAME COURT BUILDING TIPS

Installing a game court in your backyard can be the best investment you can make for you and your family.

  • The kids (not just your own) will be safe in your backyard
  • You know who they are with and what they are doing
  • There will always be something active for them to do outside
  • It gets them off the couch or away from the computer and electronics
  • It promotes good sportsmanship, healthy bodies and an active lifestyle
  • The list goes on; the changes we have seen in family life with the installation of a game court are remarkable.

However, there are important considerations to be taken before you decide.

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1. SPORTS - CONSIDER THE SPORTS THAT YOU WANT TO PLAY ON YOUR COURT

The answers to these questions will help you determine the right court size for your family’s needs:

  • How old are your children?
  • What sports are they currently involved in?
  • What sports do you see them playing in the future?
  • Do you play?

On a typical mid-sized multi-purpose game court as many as 15 games can be played. Shifting from one to another is typically very easy and fast. To a large extent, what you play will determine the size of court needed.

If basketball is your family’s primary sport, a 3 point line may be important. At 19 ½ feet from the rim a full 3 point line requires a court at least 25×45 feet to allow a player to shoot from behind the line.

If volleyball or any other “net” sports are important, except full tennis, 30×60 feet allows for full court volleyball. The basketball hoop is often placed in the middle of the 60 foot side and used as the volleyball net post as you can see in this photo:

This configuration allows for half-court basketball with full court volleyball and other net sports on the same court.

The court size is all up to you and should be very customizable allowing you to create the best backyard environment possible with a few other considerations:

2. SPACE - HOW MUCH SPACE DO YOU HAVE ON YOUR PROPERTY FOR A BACKYARD COURT?

We’ve just discussed the space and environment inside a court, now we need to address the space requirements on your property:

  • Setbacks vary by town and zones within each town
  • Courts CAN be built over septic systems with appropriate measures
  • Wetlands will require additional steps to follow. However, we have handled many difficult situations and have still gotten the courts approved.
  • The largest flattest space will require the least amount of preparation. If not flat, we can slope the area of the court or build a retaining wall if necessary or wanted.
  • The court should be placed far enough from large trees that roots will not be an issue

Other than that you should be able to design and build a fantastic backyard recreation center that your family will enjoy for years.

3. PERMITS - DOES YOUR TOWN REQUIRE A PERMIT TO BUILD YOUR DREAM COURT?

Your town may require a permit to build your dream court, so:

  • Start early – it will almost always take longer than expected
  • Find your property site or plot plan, it can tell you a lot

4. CONTRACTOR - CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR

Building a court is a unique major construction project in your backyard. Choosing the right contractor is critical.

  • You cannot afford to use anyone unlicensed or uninsured
  • As mentioned above, they should help with permitting process
  • Ask to see their work – experience building courts matters
  • Ask how many courts they have built
  • Ask them if this is their primary business or a sideline
  • Check them out

Now that you’ve chosen a court builder here are some things they should discuss with you. If they don’t, it should set off some internal alarms bells.

5. ACCESS - HOW ARE THEY ACCESSING MY BACKYARD?

Building a court in your yard is a major construction project therefore access to the space is crucial.

  • Most fencing can be taken down and put back up to allow access
  • Limited access will limit the equipment that can be used = more labor
  • If you need to pump the concrete – we can from a reasonable distance
  • If there is no access there will be more labor as everything will be done by hand

6. SUB BASE - HOW ARE THEY PREPARING THE SUB BASE?

The contours of your property will determine the amount of work required to create a large flat area.

  • Sod will be stripped away
  • Court area will be leveled often with a “cut and fill” meaning dirt will be moved from one end of the court to the other to level
  • If there is too much change in elevation from one end to the other a retaining wall may be necessary
  • Large courts can direct a lot of water and drainage needs to be considered
  • Now you are ready for the base of your court to be built

7. BASE - WHAT ARE THEY USING FOR A BASE?

This will create the hard flat surface from which you can build your court.

  • Generally built with concrete
  • Concrete done right is permanent and will not require any maintenance
  • Compacted base is made by layering smaller and smaller stone and compacting heavily it will be permeable and requires some maintenance
  • Modular base – there are two new types of base available that require no concrete and are very permeable

8. ATHLETIC SURFACE - WHAT ATHLETIC SURFACES CAN I CHOOSE FROM?

“Let them play on concrete, that’s what we did” is a common refrain. Unfortunately, the more kids, and adults, play on concrete the more injuries in particular to the growth plates and joints.

  • Concrete or asphalt can be left with no further surfacing
  • Painting the surface looks better but provides no cushioning
  • Acrylic’s can be applied to add a very small layer of protection
  • A cushioned surface can be applied and layered with acrylic’s however, this option is almost exclusively for tennis use and does not tolerate many other sports
  • Modular surfaces offer varying degrees of protection for players. Given their design they are engineered with small “legs” that absorb shock and openings that allow water to pass through and flow off the court

9. MANUFACTURER - WHO IS THE MANUFACTURER?

Are you dealing with a reputable high quality manufacturer?

  • As you move down the list above, manufacturing is more important
  • Where is the product made?
  • What sort of quality control processes do they have?
  • How long have they been in business?
  • How many courts do they have installed?
  • How do they look after a few years?
  • What is their distribution strategy, who sells, installs and repairs?

Quality manufacturer’s offer quality warranties, the last of our Top Tips

10. WARRANTY - WHAT IS THE WARRANTY?

Sometimes things can go wrong with any surface, be sure to read the fine print on any warranty to ensure yourself a long happy relationship with your new court.

  • Generally there are no warranties on paint
  • Acrylic’s may offer some warranty, but not long, as acrylic’s must be reapplied every few years
  • Modular offers a range of warranties, often 10 years or more
  • Has the manufacturer been in business longer than their warranty period?
  • A good modular warranty will cover you completely for the first 3 or 4 years, then it becomes prorated for the balance
  • Really, read the fine print regarding warranties

We hope this guide was helpful and a worthwhile use of your time. We look forward to seeing you out playing with your family soon.