So, is there any solution to keep your hoop from falling over? How to weigh down a basketball hoop?
There are several reasons why your hoop might keep falling over. But the good news is that you can make your rough dunking safe and secure with some tips and tricks.
Let us get into it and understand all the options in detail.
5 Tips To Weigh Down A Basketball Hoop
Here are a few tips and tricks to weigh down your portable basketball hoop.
- Add More Weight to the Base With Sandbags
- Use Sand To Fill The Base Because It’s Heavier
- Put Ground Anchor and Ratchet Straps Around the Base
- Try Using the Base Gel to Weight the Hoop
- Invest In a Sturdy and Secure Ground-Fixed Hoop
However, keep in mind that you cannot eliminate the chance of the hoop falling over completely. That said, here are the best ways to secure your hoop to the ground as best as possible.
Use Sandbags to Weigh Down Your Basketball Hoop
Many basketball goal manufacturers make the whole structure quite stable. However, a little reinforcement can help in minimizing the risk of the basketball hoop falling over.
The easiest and quickest way is to use heavy-duty sandbags.
Preferably, get 60-300pounds of sandbags and carefully lay them over the base. Make sure your hoop base is already filled with the required sand or water.
The extra sand will help keep the structure stable during light winds. However, strong wind currents can still push it to the ground.
One of the most stabile hoops (55-gallon base fill!)on the market today is Spalding The Beast, in case you want to invest in a hoop that’s not going to fall over.
Fill The Base With Sand Instead Of Water (Sand is Denser)
To make your portable goal stable, filling the base with water always do the trick. However, it isn’t an effective option as compared to sand.
Sand is 45% denser when compared to water. The overall weight of sand is also 13 pounds for each gallon.
On the other hand, water weighs only 8 pounds for every gallon. Especially when the weather is cold, the chance of water freezing in the base is also high.
This ultimately makes your hoop unstable.
So, if you are not moving your hoop a lot, replace the water with the sand. But if you have to move the hoop around more than usual, stick with water.
The popular Spalding Hybrid has a dual compartment for sand and water both. It too offers a higher percentage of stability over other competitors.
Ground Anchor and Ratchet Straps Can Keep Your Hoop From Falling Over
It is one of the best and most stable options available to keep your basketball hoop from falling over. Even though it is a simple trick but the impact is effective and promising over others.
All you need to do is:
- On both sides of the base, carefully screw down the eyehook to the ground.
- A wrench can come in handy if the soil is hard to screw anchors down.
- Now, simply hook the straps on both sides of the hoop with the anchors.
Take two anchors and hammer them against the hoop on either side. The ratchet straps will be used to thread the structure and attach those to the anchor for a tighter grip.
By following this method, your hoop will become almost immovable. You can also dunk and slam. However, avoid rough and heavy dunking for your own safety.
Also, you can invest in an already made Anchor Kit Heavy Duty Tie-Down System.
Invest in Base Gel to Weigh Your Basketball Hoop
A base gel ensures almost the same result as that of sand. And it is definitely a better option than water.
The base gel is crafted with a super-absorbent polymer. This has the ability to absorb 400 times its actual weight compared to water.
What makes base gel a better option is that it can last for years without replacing it. So, use polymer in the base of the hoop structure instead of water for a firmer grip.
Another option is to fill half of the base with base gel and the remaining half with water. Even if your base has a few cracks, the polymers are going to protect it without leakage.
How to keep your basketball hoop from falling over with base gel? Let’s find out!
- Add nearly two-thirds of the base gel polymer pack to your hoop base.
- Use a garden hose and fill the base halfway only with water.
- Now, add the remaining base gel and continue filling the base.
- Make sure to leave 1/2” space empty.
- Wait for 5 to 10 minutes and let the water be absorbed to make a firm gel.
In-Ground System Is Always A Solution
Sometimes, many players don’t get the feel of these tips and tricks. The ground anchor and ratchet strap add a weird look to the whole structure.
Result? Many people sacrifice their love for a basketball game.
An in-ground hoop is a phenomenal alternative. It is highly stable with the least vibration.
These hoops can also withstand windy situations, extremely rough and heavy dunking, and blizzard conditions.
However, this comes at a cost of portability. You can no longer drag your hoop with you. It’s a fixed solution. However, you can still play and enjoy shooting hoops with your friends and family.
Reasons For A Basketball Hoop Falling Over
Before finding the solutions, it is vital to know the details that can cause failure. Some of the most common reasons are:
Strong Wind
One of the most common reasons for a hoop falling over is a strong wind. It happens when you place your hoop in a vital ventilation area.
Small storms and strong wind currents don’t give much chance for the hoops to stand still.
Heavy Rough Dunking
Another reason is rough and heavy dunking. When a player dunks in the lower capacity hoop, the chance of the basketball goal falling over is highest.
Some hoops simply cannot bear that many rough slamming sessions.
Inadequate Base
If you have seen budget-friendly basketball hoops, then you must know the capacity of their base. They have a 35-gallon base which is inadequate for dunking or fighting winds.
The average capacity is the 60-gallon base for a perfect dunk slam.
Hanging On the Rim
When players hang on the rim of the structure, it usually collapses. Many manufacturers recommend avoiding hanging on. But players still do it on some hoops.
Safety Must Be Your Priority
When thinking about how to keep your basketball hoop from falling over, many people opt for unsafe practices. They use duct tape to secure the base. Or use bricks on the base to keep it firm.
Even though they look better but are not safe at all.
The brick can fall and the duct tape can lose within a few minutes. Especially when you try to dunk with bricked base, the whole structure can fall injuring you badly.
These tips and tricks are safe and pocket-friendly. Even though they cannot eliminate the issue, they can still secure your hoop in lighter wind conditions.
That said, go for safer options to enjoy playing a basketball game 🏀
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