So I finally got around to building that shock-absorbing volleyball floor for my backyard court. Been wanting one forever – my knees were screaming after every game on the concrete. Wanted something portable, sturdy, and actually soft enough to land on.

Starting Simple

First thing, I needed wood. I remembered using maple for indoor courts – felt springy underfoot. Went down to the lumberyard and grabbed some kiln-dried soft maple planks. Didn’t want heavy oak or flimsy pine, and maple seemed like a good middle ground. Got myself a bunch of 2x6s, about 8 feet long.

Figuring Out the Frame

Portable was key. That meant sections. Decided on 4×4 panels. Built a basic frame for the first panel using pressure-treated 2x4s, making a rectangle. Measured, cut, swore a bit when the angles weren’t perfect, then finally nailed it together. Laid down a grid of more 2x4s across the inside of the frame, about 16 inches apart, for support.

Attaching the Shock Pads (The Tricky Bit)

This is where things got interesting. Needed something to soak up the jump landings. Found these thick rubber anti-vibration pads online – meant for washing machines, but hey, why not? Cut little squares of plywood to fit on top of each pad. Then, started securing the maple planks directly onto those plywood squares using screws. Left a tiny gap, maybe 1/8 of an inch, between each plank for expansion and a bit of flex. Used spacers like coins to keep it even. This felt weird, not fixing them solidly to the frame underneath.

Connecting it All

Made a few identical panels. To link them side-by-side, used heavy-duty hook-and-eye latch straps underneath. Not the prettiest, but they pulled the panels tight against each other without needing complicated joints. For length, used simple metal connector plates screwed onto the frame ends.

First Test – Will It Hold?

Whew, moment of truth. Slapped the sections together in the driveway right over the concrete. Grabbed my volleyball and just started jumping. Like, really jumping and landing hard. It felt… different! Definitely softer than pure concrete. The maple had a tiny bit of give, and the rubber pads underneath were doing their job, squishing down. Heard a tiny squeak from one pad. No cracking or bouncing, though. Walked around – felt solid, no wobble between panels.

The Good and The Not-So-Good

• Portability is Awesome! Breaking it down into manageable panels makes storage and setup easy.
• The Bounce is Real! Landings are definitely less punishing – my knees thanked me later.
• Maple Surface is Nice: Smooth, splinter-free once I sanded the edges. Good grip.
• Rubber Pad Placement Got Messy: Getting those plywood squares glued exactly right on every pad was a pain. Few of ’em shifted during install. Gotta secure ’em better next time.
• Definitely Feels “DIY”: You can tell it’s not a pro court. There’s a slight unevenness where panels meet.

So yeah, shock-absorbing volleyball floor built! It’s not flawless, but it works. Saved a ton compared to pre-made stuff, learned heaps about wood and weird rubber bits, and finally got my backyard court playable without feeling like I’m destroying my body. Happy with this project!