How to Add a Backboard and Hoop to an Existing Pole step 7 will surprised you!

Let’s imagine a situation!! Your father has brought a home that is soon going to be your permanent address. You are a basketball lover and want to play like a pro someday through a tough and consistent practice at home. You found that in the backyard of the home there is a basketball pole left by the previous owner. You can utilize this situation and turn the pole into a full swing basketball hoop in a very inexpensive way!! If the pole is sturdy and a high quality one, why will not you take the chance of saving some money!! 

To get more ideas about Exceptional Gifts for Basketball Players!!

If you don’t have a backboard and hoop yet but look for a savvy solution to install the full system, this article is for you!! We have combined very pragmatic ways to do the replacement/installation job. However, our instructions will suit to a fixed (into the ground) square or round pole. 

Let’s assume that the height of the pole left by the previous owner is 7-feet since he/she removed the top. All you need to complete the job is to set the backboard & hoop on a 4”x4” wooden log and slide it inside the pole to give it a standard/regulation height of 10-feet.

• First of all, check the size, shape, and diameter of the pole.
• Make sure that the backboard is well-matched with your existing basketball pole. If you don’t have a backboard, then you can find plywood to any nearby hardware store. They will even cut it for you as per your demand. 
• Buy a basketball net from any sports shop.
• Find a mounting bracket that fits both the pole and backboard.
• Now you can replace the backboard and basketball hoop with the existing pole.

The processes mentioned above are for a round or a square pole that you would fix into the ground. If we assume that your pole is longer than 4″*4″, then a backboard with 4″*4″ will glide into it.  Now add the hoop and backboard. Then make the wood sliding right into the pole.

“Y” in Lifetime backboards

Lifetime has several types of mounts for different systems with the same pole size. If you are planning to install a “lifetime backboard” to your current bracket, then have a look at the bracket. If it looks like the capital letter “Y,” then you are good to go. Any replacement backboard of Lifetime will fit with your pole. 

What to follow

• Investigate and measure the diameter and shape of the pole.
• Buy plywood from home improvement store and ask them to cut it according to your requirement. Collect old hoop and net from thrift and sports store respectively.
• Adjust the shape and size of the backboard.
• Now get ready to install the backboard and hoop to the existing pole.

What you require

• 1/2” or 3/4” thick plywood with 48” width and 3.6” height
• Wooden log having dimension of 4”x 4”x 8”
• 18” basketball hoop with net
• 4 to 6 pieces of 1-5/8” exterior screws
• Gusset angles
• Yardstick
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Hammer

In case of a new backboard

• Look into the shape, diameter, and size of  pole 
• Look for mounting bracket that will fit with both backboard and basketball hoop
• At last, replace the backboard

When you need to prepare a backboard and attach it to the pole

• Detach the present backboard if you have not done it yet.
• Measure 12 inches from the upper left and right sides into the center from that point onward, 12 inches down from the top two corners. Then drag a line between those imprints and use the saw to cut the edges. 
• Now draw a vertical line by determining the center of the backboard. 
• Assess the base of backboard 2″ in the inside and mark it. Place the hoop in square position so that the bottom is in a straight line with the mark and on the middle left-right. Now by using a pencil, draw a line around the hoops square and then separate the hoop. 
• Screw the basketball backboard to the 4″*4″. You will need to do it with a power drill and 1-5/8″ exterior screws.
• Don’t put screws in the zone where you have already traced hoops square. 
• Position the hoop onto the backboard and trace the holes (inside of it) in the square. 
• Using the 1/4″ wood drill bit and power drill, you need to drill in the center of each frontier. 
• The lag might miss 4″*4″, but the leg screw will hold the hoop to the backboard, other screws that you have put in earlier will hold 4″*4″. 
• To confirm that the hoop doesn’t jiggle, you need to put a washer on the lag screw and then screw it in one hole by using a wrench or pliers. Do it also for the remaining screws. 
• Add net with the hoop. 
• If two or more people assist you, then the installation process will become more comfortable for you. And you can avoid any accidents. One will carry up backboard, one will measure rim height with tap rule, and the remaining one will mark the 4″ X4″ by using yardstick and pencil. Now go up the ladder and elevate the backboard until you can see the rim is 10′ from the ground. Since the backboard is very heavy, so keep this in one ladder step and then lean it to the pole to make it stable. Now use the yardstick on top of the pole and mark 4″ X4″ alongside 4″ X4″ over there. Then come down carefully along with the backboard. 
• Place one gusset angle where you have made the mark; thus, the edge will line up with it, and the bottom portion goes out. Now screw it 4″ X4″. Repeat it to the rest of the gusset angles. Remember to angle the screws a little bit, so they don’t hit against the other. These gusset angles create a small ledge to halt the 4″ X4″; hence the rim remains at 10.
• The last step of the basketball installation process is more challenging. As the backboard is quite heavy so climb-up the ladder once more with the backboard carefully, then uplift the backboard and glide it into the pole. 
• Now you can play                                                                                                  

Some suggestions to make the installation process easier

• To avoid unnecessary weight to lift, I can suggest you do not install the rim initially.
• Try to manage 3 or 4 people as a helping hand; this will help to get your job done more efficiently.
• Adjust poles onto the bottommost position.
• Make sure the ladder is stable enough. 
• Use safety glass while using power tools.
• It will be useful for you if you do some practice on the field before fixing the bracket to the pole. You will do this to ensure that none of the poles will be too tight, and later pole will match when you lift. 
• You can practice lifting the adjusting system 5/6 times on the field to make sure that the tubes won’t swing randomly. 
• Look for professional help if needed.

Problems or issues you might face while replacing a backboard

• The manual process of installation may not be the best sometimes since there is no specific guideline or instructions.
• It is challenging to find the hardware which fits with your backboard. 
• You may have a backboard that is no longer available in the market and without any mounting guidelines. In such circumstances, you will need to look for the mounting bracket (which will adapt) to any hardware shop to continue the installation process.

The Way of Getting Ahead:

Step-1:

Measure 12-inches from the right top and left edges in towards the middle by a measuring tape and measure again 12-inches downwards from those top two corners. Mark the measurement with the pencil and draw line following the mark. Cut the corners off with a circular saw. 

Step-2:

By measuring the sides of the backboard and drawing a vertical line accordingly, determine the center of the board.

Step-3:

Measure from the bottom of the board towards the center by 2-inch and mark accordingly. Place the bottom of the hoop straight-line position to the marked portion. Draw the lines of the hoop and remove it.

Step-4:

Measure 4”x4” wooden log on the top of the backboard and find the middle of this measurement carefully by using the tape. Make sure to mark 4”x4” on both above and below the board and draw line on the marks. Don’t forget to line in a way that it remains in the center of the board. 

Step-5:

Use 4 to 6 number of 1-5/8″ exterior screws and a power drill with Philips bit to attach the backboard with the 4”x4” wooden log. You should not put screws on the place that have been determined as the square of the hoop.

Step-6:

Place the hoop again on the board and trace inside holes placed in the square. Employ the power drill with ¼-inch bit to drill hole in the mid position of the tracings. Although these screws may not get attached with the wooden log, they hold the hoop tightly with the backboard.

Step-7:

For making sure that the hoop doesn’t get brittle, don’t forget to put a washer on the screw holding the backboard. Use wrench to tighten the lag screw into the hole. Follow the same process for other three holding screws.

Step-8:

Fix the net to your hoop.

Step-9:

Now time for putting the 4”x4” wooden log containing the backboard and hoop inside the existing pole. It’s better to take the help of two adult person for making the job easier. One person will hold the backboard, the second guy will measure the rim height, and the third one will mark the wooden log. 

Use a ladder to raise the backboard unless the height of the rim becomes 10-feet from the ground. Since the top of the backboard is quite heavy, you should place this standing the ladder steps. For making it stable you should lean the board against the pole.

By using a yardstick mark the edges of the pole and the wooden log. The points indicate how far the log has got inside the pole. Now come down from the ladder with caution.

Step-10:

Use extension screws to bolt & screw the 4”x4” log at the indicated points. Use gasket angles so that the corner is lined up with the mark and the bottom part exposes to the outside. For escaping the chance of collision, you should angle the screws a bit. The gusset angles help create shelf to attach the wooden log tightly with the pole and keeping the rim to stay at a height of 10-feet.

Step-11:

It could be quite a tough step. Because, you will need to raise the heavy backboard and slide it into the pole. Complete this step with utmost care.

Step-12:

Now your basketball hoop is ready to start playing.

Recommendations to Make the Process Easier:

1. Don’t install the rim first. Otherwise, it will increase the weight unnecessarily that can make the job hectic.

2. Set the adjustment to the lowest position on the poles.

3. Before placing brackets on the pole and tightening the bolts, you should practice on the ground. Because anyone of the poles will not get very tight beforehand and they will only match at the time of lifting. 

4. Lace the elevator tubes properly through the mid of the holes by using strong ropes. It will ensure less tremble while playing basketball. 

5. For making sure that the tubes don’t frequently swing, raise the adjusting system on the ground.

6. Don’t forget to use safety goggles while using the power tools.

7. Don’t hesitate to take the help of 3 to 4 persons to complete the job smoothly, safely, and timely.

8. Ensure that the ladder you are using is stable.

Conclusion:

Replacing a backboard and a hoop to an existing pole sounds like a huge task. It is not. By following the proper guidelines, you can do it with ease. Always keep in mind that at first, you need to find the bracket that will adjust with the backboard and the other way round. 

Thank you for reading this article. I hope it will be helpful for you and now you can install basketball hoop easily to your pole. I will keep posting relevant features on my website. For any suggestions or exciting ideas, please do let me know in the comment section.