Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get this project done for a while, and today was finally the day! I’m talking about putting down some decent flooring in my backyard volleyball court. I’ve got a pretty sweet setup, but the ground was just uneven dirt and grass – not ideal for serious play.

Planning and Prep

First things first, I had to figure out what I wanted. I knew I didn’t want to go all-out with a professional sprung floor, that’s way too much for my needs (and my wallet!). But I also wanted something better than just bare ground. So, after digging around (pun intended!), I decided on a combination of cushions, volleyball court mat, and solid wooden flooring.

I measured out the court area. Getting the dimensions right is super important, even for a backyard setup. I mean, who wants a lopsided court?

Laying the Foundation

The real work started with preparing the ground. I used the shovel to remove a layer of the grass and topsoil. Then used the tamper to compact it. This is going to be the base for everything else, so you really need to get it good and compacted.

Time for the Cushions

The cushions were next. Now, these aren’t your sofa cushions, obviously! I picked up some interlocking rubber tiles. I chose to use thick rubber tiles. These are designed to provide some shock absorption, which is way easier on the knees and ankles when you’re jumping around.

Putting these down was pretty straightforward. They just snap together like big puzzle pieces. The main thing is to make sure they’re all level and flush against each other. You don’t want any gaps or bumps that could trip you up later.

The Volleyball Court Mat

I placed the volleyball court mat on the top of the Cushions, it can provide an extra layer of safety and a clear border to distinguish it.

Finishing with Wood

Finally, I laid down the solid wooden flooring. I chose to use pressure-treated lumber. I went for simple planks, nothing too fancy. Again, the key here was to get everything level and secure. I used a good amount of screws to make sure the planks wouldn’t shift around during play.

I had to cut some of the planks to fit around the edges of the court.

The Final Result

Man, it was a lot of work, but totally worth it! The court looks and feels so much better now. It’s way more level, and the cushioning makes a huge difference. I can already tell it’s going to be a lot more fun to play on, and I’m less worried about twisting an ankle. Now I just need to get some friends over for a game!

If you’re thinking of doing something similar, I’d say go for it! Just be prepared for some hard work, and make sure you plan everything out carefully. It’s a great way to upgrade your backyard and get more enjoyment out of your volleyball games.