Alright, so I’ve been wanting to set up a decent basketball practice area in my backyard for a while now. I looked at a bunch of options, and finally decided to go with a portable wooden floor – the kind they call “batten” flooring. Seemed like a good balance of quality and, you know, not having to dig up my entire yard.

Getting Started

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First thing I did was measure out the space. I didn’t want anything massive, just enough room for some drills and shooting practice. I grabbed some measuring tape, some stakes, and some string, and marked out a rectangular area. It took some adjusting to get it right, making sure it was level and all that.

Laying Down the Base

Next up, I needed to do something about the ground. I can use some weed control, use some of my home tools, and make the place ready for everything.I figured this would help with drainage and keep the wood from sitting directly on the dirt.

Assembling the Floor

This was the fun part – or at least, it was supposed to be. The flooring came in these interlocking panels. The idea is that you just snap them together, like a giant puzzle. Sounds easy, right? Well, let me tell you, it took some elbow grease! Some of the panels were a little stubborn, and I had to use a rubber mallet to persuade them into place. I did it step by step following instruction.

• Panel by Panel: I started at one corner and worked my way across, making sure each panel was fully connected before moving on to the next.
• The Mallet is Key: Seriously, a rubber mallet was essential for getting a tight fit without damaging the wood.
• Checking for Level: Every few rows, I’d use a level to make sure things were still even. I didn’t want any unexpected slopes!

The Finishing Touches

Once the whole floor was assembled, I went around the edges and secured it.I use some nails. This is to keep the whole thing from shifting around while I’m playing.

Playing the Game

Finally, I was able to put on the basketball hoop and get started practicing my Basketball skill! And the surface is excellent for play and drills. And I can disassemble it if I ever need to move it or store it for the winter.

All in all, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It wasn’t the easiest project, but it was definitely worth it. Now I’ve got a solid practice space right in my backyard. Time to work on my jump shot!