Jay Nagy

A basketball court is typically divided into several sections, including the playing surface, sidelines, end lines, center line, key or free-throw lane, backboards, and basketball rings. The basketball court installation experts in Pittsburgh at Sport Court help you get all these elements in the right place so that your basketball court looks and functions at its best. Knowing the sections of a court is also one of the first steps in prepping for installation.

What Lines Make Up a Basketball Court?

A basketball court is marked with the following lines:

• Baselines or End Lines
• Sidelines
• Boundary Lines
• Midcourt or Half-court Line
• Three Point Line Restricted Area
• Free Throw or Foul Line
• Lane Lines also called Paint or Key Lines
• Hash Marks

What are the Baselines and Sidelines on a Basketball Court?

Baselines, also known as end lines, are 50 feet long and mark the back of the basketball court and extend from sideline to sideline.  These lines mark the inbounds and out-of-bounds on each of the court’s sides. If a ball goes out of bounds, then the players must stand behind the baseline and to the side of the backboard to inbound the basketball.

Sidelines are 94 feet long and are marked parallel to each other along both sides of the basketball court (depending on the sport court dimensions). They extend from the baseline at one end of the basketball court to the baseline at the other end. The sidelines also provide the boundary for in- and out-of-bounds plays and are also where the benches and the scorer table sit, as well as the officials, coaches, and players sit.

These two types of lines come together to create the boundary lines that divide the court into in-bounds and out-of-bounds. If a player with the ball touches a boundary line, they are called out of bounds and forfeit the ball to the opposing team.

What is a Mid Court Line on a Basketball Court?

The mid-court line runs through the basketball court in between the two sidelines, from baseline to baseline. It divides the basketball court into two equal sides and also serves as an inbounds line during inbound plays.

What is the Three-Point Line?

The three-point line is a semicircle arc that runs from the sideline to the outside of the basketball court near the basket. It marks the area in which players can score a basketball three points, as opposed to two points when shooting inside this arc. This line typically has an inner distance marked on it as well, which indicates where defensive players must stand in order not to be called for a defensive three-second violation.

What is the Restricted Area on a Basketball Court?

The restricted area is located at the basketball hoop and marks the imaginary cylinder that reaches from the basketball rim to behind the backboard. This area serves as an indicator to referees of how much contact should be allowed between basketball players while they are in the restricted area.

What is the Free Throw Line on a Basketball Court?

The free throw line, also known as the foul line, is located fifteen feet from the basketball hoop and is where basketball players shoot fouls for their team. On either side of this line are two hash marks, which basketball players must stand behind in order to not interfere with a shooter’s attempt.

Lane Lines and Hash Marks

Lane lines, also known as paint lines or key lines, are located at the basketball hoop and extend from the free-throw line to behind the backboard. These lines mark the area where basketball players can’t stay for more than three seconds, or it can result in a violation at the professional level.

The basketball court also has hash marks which keep basketball players in their designated places when shooting free throws. These marks are located on either side of the basketball court, and basketball players must stand behind them when shooting fouls.

Interested in Installing a Basketball Court? Call Sport Court of Pittsburgh Today!

If you want a professionally installed basketball court you can enjoy for years to come, call Sport Court of Pittsburgh today!

With winter on its way, it’s time to prepare your tennis court for the harsh weather to ensure it’s ready for plenty of games come springtime! The fall season is the prime time to clean up your court and perform routine maintenance to prepare it for the warmer months.

At Sport Court of Pittsburgh, we’ve put together some tips on how to prepare your court for the winter and help it last longer!

Tips for Prepping Your Court

Lower the Nets and Take Down the Windscreens

Since you won’t be using the tennis court throughout the winter, you can lower the nets. This will remove the tension on the nets to help prevent tears while also maintaining the nets. You can also choose to remove the nets and store them away if you have the space. Taking the windscreens down and placing them in storage will prevent them from getting ruined by the strong winds and storms.

Rake up Leaves and Debris

We recommend keeping the court clear of leaves and debris during the winter. This build-up of debris can accumulate mold, mildew, and moss throughout the season which can make opening up and cleaning the court in the spring a difficult task. Cleaning the court up will also help prevent stains and cracks.

Clean Away Stains

Using your garden hose, a soft brush, and detergent, remove the stains from the court. If you need something stronger than detergent, you can use a chlorine solution with one cup of bleach added to a gallon of water.

Preventative Maintenance to Perform Before Winter

Once the tennis court has been cleaned, you will want to fill in any cracks, even smaller ones, before the winter begins. Water can get into these cracks and freeze, causing the cracks to worsen over time. Rather than paying for an expensive resurfacing, you can fill in small cracks to keep them from becoming bigger over the winter.

By performing this regualr fall maintenance, you can keep your court in great shape for another season of fun!

Court Building Services in Pittsburgh

At Sport Court of Pittsburgh, we specialize in court construction and are happy to answer any questions you may have about installing a tennis court, pickleball court, basketball court, and more! Contact us today to learn more!

Dek hockey is a variation of ice hockey and is also known as gym hockey or street hockey. Dek hockey is played wearing shoes rather than skates and uses a ball rather than a puck. It consists of three 15-minute periods of play with a 3-minute intermission provided between each period.

Dek hockey began in the 1970s when Raymond W. Leclerc built the first three outdoor dek hockey courts in Leominster. He also invented the no-bounce orange ball that is used for ball hockey and dek hockey, making him the founder of street hockey and dek hockey.

How Did Dek Hockey Get Its Name?

Dek hockey is played on a rink made of tiles that are called dek surfaces, named after the material of the boards. This support came from playing street hockey and has evolved to playing on tile or deks that are made from both indoor and outdoor rinks. The name came from players referring to the sport court as the dek and saying they were dek hockey.

What Equipment is Used to Play Dek Hockey?

Dek hockey is a great sport for all and takes little equipment to get started. You will need protective gear, gloves, running shoes, a helmet, shin guards, and a hockey stick. You will also wear a colored jersey, and the opposing players will wear a different color to help keep the groups separate.

How Big is a Dek Hockey Rink?

Dek hockey rinks are typically built to accommodate either teams of three against three or four against four. You will find these common dek hockey rink sizes:

• 100x50ft to accommodate 3×3 play
• 120x60ft to accommodate 4×4 play
• 155x80ft to accommodate 5×5 playYou may also find hybrid rinks that are 105 x 55 ft or 140 x 60 ft.

Ready to Build Your Dek Hockey Rink? We Can Help!

At Sport Court of Pittsburgh, we have the expertise and the innovative materials you need to create a custom dek hockey rink right in your own backyard! Contact us today to get started!

?Summer is the season for having fun outside, and what better way to do that than to play sports! At Sport Court of Pittsburgh, we’ve put together a guide to the best summer sports for kids that can be enjoyed on backyard sport courts.

Basketball

Basketball is a fun and versatile game for children of all ages. You can play games like Horse, one on one, 21, and more! BUMP is another fun game you can play out on the court. If your kids play basketball for a league, they can get their practice in for the summer while still having fun.

This is a great game for your child and their friends since you can have multiple players.

Floor Hockey

Sport courts are equipped to absorb the shock of running while playing hockey to keep your children safe. Hockey is a fun game of skill and speed that is sure to keep your kids moving this summer!

Tennis

Singles and doubles tennis is a great way to spend the summer days under the sun! Tennis is a great game to help with hand-eye coordination, teamwork, and helping each other rally the ball.

Children can learn valuable lessons in sportsmanship while staying active and having fun.

Soccer

Soccer can be played anywhere as long as you have a ball! Playing on your backyard sport court is a safe and exciting way to play soccer. Even if you don’t have enough players to fill the field, it’s still a fun and exciting way to pass the time!

Install Your Sport Court Today!

Backyard sport courts for your Pittsburgh home are a great way to keep your kids active and having fun all summer long. These customizable courts can be configured in a variety of ways to meet your needs. Contact us today to learn more!??

When playing sports like basketball or exercising on a court, you risk falling down. If you have a concrete court, the impact of the fall could result in serious injuries.

With the popularity of sports like basketball still growing, you are likely to encounter a basketball court at homes, leisure centers, community centers, schools, and parks. Since sports like basketball create a demand for courts, it is crucial to use a material that is safe for players to use.

This has created a need for softer flooring that is safe to fall on and reduces the impact on joints. This is where sport court flooring comes into play.

What is Sport Court Flooring?

Sport court flooring is made from a surface that is non-slip and features color coating line making. With a multi-layered surface, this type of flooring will provide you with true ball bounce, consistent play speed, and safety if you fall. When compared to other surfaces, Sport Court’s suspended surfaces are one of the safest playing surfaces on the market.

Our flooring features the patented Lateral Forgiveness™, which provides your limbs and joints protection against the stresses of the impact from jumping and running that other types of flooring can cause. The shock absorption can also be adjusted to meet your playing needs.

What are the Benefits of Sport Court Flooring?

Having a soft sport court flooring installed offers a variety of benefits, including:

Smooth surface – Sport Court material offers a smooth surface that provides safety and reduces the chance of skin abrasions and other injuries. This surface also offers additional grip to help you maneuver while playing. Since it has s smoother texture, it won’t wear out the ball or your shoes like concrete can.
Easy maintenance – This type of court flooring can also be easily cleaned and maintained, unlike concrete which requires more extensive maintenance.
Anti-slip – This type of flooring won’t heat up in the hot weather and is also porous, so it will drain quickly and dry easily with no standing puddles, reducing the risk of slipping or damage to the court.
Shock absorption – This material is great at absorbing leg shock and landing shock. This helps prevent injury to your joints while playing.
Customizable – You can choose the colors and design you want to suit your playing needs.

Why Should I Avoid Concrete Courts?

When you play on concrete or asphalt basketball courts, you can suffer from the long-term effect on your joints from running on a concrete surface. This can also increase your risk of injury. Constant playing on concrete courts can lead to conditions such as jumper’s knee or patellar tendonitis. This is a condition where repeated stress on the patella or quadriceps causes pain at the front of your knee and inflammation or degeneration of your patella tendon.

Additionally, these hard surfaces can also put you at risk for ankle sprains, turf toes, and knee sprains which can take you out of the game.

Contact Sport Court of Pittsburgh today to learn more about our safe sports court alternative to concrete.

If you’ve been considering getting a sport court for your home, you may be wondering how long the sport court materials actually last. Depending on the materials that you use and how often you use the sport court.

What to do If You Have a Concrete or Asphalt Court

Before playing on your asphalt or concrete court, you will want to check for any signs of winter damage. In some cases, you may find areas that have cracked or crumbled due to the repeat freezing process throughout the winter season.

You also need to check for any low spots that could trip you up during practice. You will need to contact a company that specializes in asphalt or concrete work to repair your court. If your court is aged or damaged, it can be dangerous to play on. It is also likely that your painted lines have faded, so those will need to be touched up too before using the court.

PowerGame Sports Surfaces

Winter is no match for PowerGame™ suspended sports surfaces.
When you’re ready to enjoy the nice weather and play on your sport court, all you need to do is sweep away any debris, powerwash away any dirt or debris, and then have fun!

The PowerGame sports surface is designed to expand and contract with temperature changes, unlike concrete and asphalt, which can crack due to the freeze and thaw cycle.

These tiles are also self-draining, meaning they will dry quickly for a safe, dry playing surface. Additionally, these tiles will not mold like conventional court surfaces since they are anti-microbial.

Additionally, the sport court tiles will remain vibrant, even when exposed to the sun!

How Long Will My Court Last?

While asphalt courts last around 6 to 10 years and concrete last about ten years, they require extensive maintenance and repairs to keep them safe for playing on.

With a sport court, you are covered by a 15-year limited warranty. The sport court is expected to offer safety, playability, and durability for at least the time of the warranty.

If a tile becomes damaged, you can simply replace the damaged tiles rather than needing to replace the entire court. The length of time your court lasts will depend on the material you use, how often you use your court, and if you properly maintain your sport court.

Benefits of Using a Sport Court vs. Concrete or Asphalt

When playing on asphalt or concrete, your knees will absorb the shock of landing on the hard surface when jumping or running. Also, falling on asphalt and concrete can lead to bumps, cuts, and bruises.

PowerGame sports surfaces are designed to reduce the likelihood of head injuries and concussions. Meanwhile, Sport Court’s patented Lateral Forgiveness™ technology helps to reduce the wear and tear on joints and muscles from active play, so athletes of all ages can keep playing longer and safer.

Pittsburgh Sport Courts for Your Home

If you’re thinking about adding a sport court to your backyard, contact Sport Court of Pittsburgh today to get started!

If you are thinking about getting a Sport Court for your backyard, it’s important to understand the preparation that goes into installing a Sport Court. 

Can My Sport Court Be Installed Over Grass?

Unfortunately, we don’t recommend installing a Sport Court over dirt or grass since they do not provide a flat enough surface to support the tiles. When it comes to grass and dirt, there is always a chance that erosion can occur, which can eventually create an uneven playing surface.  

We can install your Sport Court over compacted gravel, but it is recommended that you use gravel pavers to strengthen the ground for better tile support. These pavers will also help reduce erosion and provide a flat surface which is required to ensure the best playing experience. 

The Sport Court tiles we use are designed to be installed over a hard, solid surface such as concrete, asphalt, compacted gravel, or even a wooden subfloor. These rigid tiles can be installed over cracked or imperfect hard flooring. However, they can’t accommodate major bulges, holes, or bumps in the flooring surface. They can’t accommodate the instability that comes with a dirt floor or grass either. 

Does My Yard Need to be Level?

As mentioned earlier in the article, a level, solid surface is ideal for installation. If your yard is not level, then we won’t be able to install the Sport Court correctly. Uneven surfaces can cause drainage issues and create an environment in which you can’t play sports. 

How Can I Level My Yard?

Your yard can be excavated and graded to create the perfect level surface for your residential Sport Court. At Sport Court of Pittsburgh, we have the equipment needed to grade and excavate your yard as needed to create an ideal playing surface. 

We will excavate the land to remove any obstacles such as roots, brush, trees, etc., that could get in the way of your Sport Court construction. Additionally, we will also grade the land, moving soil to create an even surface with proper drainage for a solid foundation to your Sport Court. 

Sport Court Installation Services in Pittsburgh

Sport Court of Pittsburgh is your premier Sport Court installer in the area. We can not only install your Sport Court, but we can also prepare your land properly for the installation. We’re your one-stop shop for all of your backyard court needs. Contact us today to learn more! 

Whether you want to train more often or are looking for a fun way to enjoy your favorite sport with friends and family, a sport court is a great addition to your home! With our high-performance, multi-sport courts, you can create a gym floor in your backyard that meets your needs and accommodates the space you have available. Continue reading “What Are the Dimensions of a Sport Court?”

Before playing any sports or participating in exercise activities, it is essential to warm up to prevent injury and help you get mentally prepared for the game. Whether you are a beginner tennis player looking for warmup exercises or are a seasoned player looking for a way to change up our warmup, Sport Court of Pittsburgh has put together some great tennis warmup exercises to try before your next game. Continue reading “Tennis Warm-Up Exercises”

Having a home sport court comes with various perks. From having a place for family fun to having an area where you can practice your skills or get in shape, a home sport court adds enjoyment and value to your home.

From tennis and basketball to pickleball and batting cages, there are endless possibilities for your sport court. Before you get too far into designing your dream sport court, it’s essential to make sure your yard is big enough. Sport courts are custom designed, so in many cases, you can have a court in various sizes or configurations.

How do I Measure My Yard?

Decide where you want your sport court to be located. Using a tape measure, you can measure to get the size of the area. While you can measure the site yourself, it is recommended that you use a professional sport court installer to take your measurements for more accurate results.
Once you have an idea of how much space you are working with, you can move on to deciding what type of court will work best there.

What Sport Court will Fit in My Yard?

Basketball courts work well with most spaces, but if you need to have a 3-point line, your construction space must be at least 25ft x 45ft. You can combine your half-court basketball court with another court, such as batting cages.

If you are more interested in volleyball, your space must be at least 30ft x 60ft. If you have a long, narrow space, you may consider a bocce or shuffleboard court. Your yard will determine what type of court will best. With the right kind of space and design, you can make your court multipurpose for a variety of different sports.

Plan and Design with a Sport Court Expert

When it comes to getting the most accurate measurements and most functional designs for your home sport court, work with the Sport Court of Pittsburgh experts! Our experienced team has the tools and knowledge to help you create the home sport court of your dreams!

Transform your backyard today by call Sport Court of Pittsburgh.