Family

A Guide to POP Tennis

September 12, 2017 By Shannon Grizil

About POP Tennis

POP Tennis is the rebranding of the 100-year-old paddle tennis that is being played across the USA and around the world. POP Tennis is a scaled-down version of regular tennis, only played on shorter tennis courts, with shorter, solid racquets, and lower compression tennis balls. POP Tennis has the same scoring and rules as tennis, with the exception of serving. (POP Tennis players are allowed one underhand serve).

It can be played indoors and outdoors and is very easy to learn. POP Tennis is a fun, social activity that adults and kids can play and enjoy—immediately! Simply grab a racquet and a ball and start playing.

History

According to the Carolina Paddle Tennis Association, Reverend Frank Peter Beal created the sport of Paddle Tennis in 1898. He saw Paddle Tennis as an activity for children and as a means for them to learn to play Tennis. His initial Paddle Tennis court was 18’ x 39’, exactly one-half the size of a regulation tennis court. Players used a sponge-rubber ball and a wooden paddle. The much smaller court and the short-handled paddle allowed children to pick-up the game quickly; as a result, they enjoyed playing while attaining mastery of a racquet sport that prepared them to play tennis.

Reverend Beal then moved to New York City in 1921, and the following year, the first Paddle Tennis tournament was held. During this time, adults began playing the sport and enjoyed how easy and exhilarating it was to play. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Paddle Tennis grew in popularity and spread to other cities, such as Los Angeles.

By the late 1950s, the game’s popularity had grown and in 1961, the official Paddle Tennis court was lengthened by three feet on each end in order to make it 20’ x 50’ thus creating the “Classic POP” Tennis court size. At this time, the sponge-rubber ball was replaced with a decompressed tennis ball, the net was lowered, and the overhand serve was also eliminated, and only one underhand serve was allowed. These changes were accepted by both the East and West Coast Paddle Tennis Associations and are still in effect today for “Classic POP”.

Rebranding

While the popularity of the game progressed, confusion with the name arose. The term “Paddle” tennis differed drastically per geographic region and has since been confused with sports other than the original game (i.e. ping pong, platform paddle tennis, paddle ball, beach tennis, pickleball or more recently padel). The need for a new name to set the game apart was necessary.

In 2015, an integral group of trailblazers coined the unique name, POP Tennis™. Alas, the spirit, popularity and sound of our sport is portrayed through its namesake and re-brand. “Everything about our sport, POPS!”™

In 2016, POP Tennis was adapted by the United States Tennis Association. The game now uses both 60’ and 50’ courts to provide more options for play. POP Tennis is sweeping the nation in both public and private facilities. The national tour has grown to multiple cities and is sponsored by leading sports manufacturers.

Where to Play

The official POP Tennis court sizes are 60′ x 21′ for singles and 60′ x 27′ for doubles. POP Classic (original Paddle Tennis) is played on a 50′ x 20′ court. POP Tennis can be played anywhere, and is played all around the world. In fact, there are over 30,000 current POP Tennis courts in the United States alone. You can check out the official POP Tennis Court Locator Map to find a court near you.

If you don’t have an official POP Tennis court to play on, that’s okay! You can easily convert any standard-sized tennis court to a POP Tennis court by using tape to create lines. Be sure to set the lines 9 feet in from either end of the baseline on a standard tennis court.

You can even go a step further and build your own POP Tennis court. The smaller size makes it a perfect addition to your backyard or place of business. And because it’s a social activity that people of all ages can enjoy, you will get more use out of this than your ordinary tennis court.

For more information about POP Tennis visit poptennis.com.

Contact SportProsUSA for a custom POP Tennis Court quote for your home or business.

Champions Start Here

CONSIDER THE REALITIES
UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS
& COST CONSIDERATIONS

The Process

Cost Considerations

DREAM BIG
PLAY WITH OUR
ONLINE COURT BUILDER:

Online Court Builder

GET SERIOUS
ARE YOU READY TO
BE THE HANGOUT HOUSE?

Talk to an Expert

Get a Free On-Site Estimate

How to Turn your Backyard Court Into an Ice Rink

December 19, 2016 By Shannon Grizil

A Quick and Easy Guide to a Backyard Ice Rink

Winter is coming! While it may be easy to forget when we’re bundled up from head to toe with only our eyes peeking through our scarves, there are some fun benefits of living in the Northeast during these cold winters months. One of the more fun aspects of winter – and a personal holiday favorite – is that it’s cold enough to go ice skating. (I know, I know…I previously told you guys that you can skate year round with our synthetic ice, and that’s still true! You can check out that information here. But, right now we are talking about the real deal – frozen water!) And, if you already have a backyard Sport Court, creating an ice rink is easier than you may think. That’s right, that backyard court can be used for more than just shooting hoops. You can create your very own winter wonderland – right in your own backyard – with just a few steps and some cold weather.

Fear not! Sport Court outdoor court surfaces are designed to withstand all the winter elements, including you and your kids flooding it with water to make an ice rink. While most of our outdoor courts can be fitted with dasher boards and kits for easy flooding, you can also head to your local hardware or home improvement store and pick up some two-by-tens to fit around the length of your court. (Bolt the wood together for a solid, sturdy perimeter). Using a hose, fill the entire surface with about 1 (one) inch of water and let it freeze solid. Always be sure to test the ice before skating. Keep a shovel handy for snow removal and your fingers crossed for continuously cold temperatures!

Even though it’s relatively easy to create your own backyard ice rink, we at SportProsUSA know that sometimes you still want to leave these things to the pros. Have questions about flooding your court? Want us to help you get set up and started? We are here to help! Call us (or fill out this form) with your questions or concerns, and a SportProsUSA Team Member will help make your winter dreams come true!
Be like this Vancouver dad – your kids will thank you!

(877)466-7765

Infograph originally posted 12/12/16 on SportCourt.com

Champions Start Here

CONSIDER THE REALITIES
UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS
& COST CONSIDERATIONS

The Process

Cost Considerations

DREAM BIG
PLAY WITH OUR
ONLINE COURT BUILDER:

Online Court Builder

GET SERIOUS
ARE YOU READY TO
BE THE HANGOUT HOUSE?

Talk to an Expert

Get a Free On-Site Estimate

Fall Sports to Practice on your Backyard Sport Court

October 27, 2016 By Shannon Grizil

The leaves are falling, a chill is in the air, and fall sports are in full swing. You already know that a Sport Court game court is the perfect all-season oasis for you and your sports-loving family. Need some extra practice? Whatever sport your child plays, this handy guide from Sport Court gives tips for perfecting your game and making the most out of your backyard court this season.

fall sports to practice on your home sport court

Fall is also the perfect time to create a family sports night, which is beneficial for the whole family. Want more tips on how to best utilize your backyard sport court? Check out 5 Fun Basketball Games for the Whole Family.

Champions Start Here

CONSIDER THE REALITIES
UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS
& COST CONSIDERATIONS

The Process

Cost Considerations

DREAM BIG
PLAY WITH OUR
ONLINE COURT BUILDER:

Online Court Builder

GET SERIOUS
ARE YOU READY TO
BE THE HANGOUT HOUSE?

Talk to an Expert

Get a Free On-Site Estimate

Family Sports: An Investment in Bonding

August 2, 2016 By Shannon Grizil

family sports family bonding game night family activities

It’s no secret that finding extra time to spend with your family is usually harder than it sounds. Working parents combined with kids involved in extracurricular activities can make for busy schedules without a ton of extra room for family activities. However, creating regular family leisure activities – the typical every day, home-based activities such as playing board games, playing sports in the backyard and watching movies together – can have a lasting positive impact on the health of your children and your family unit as a whole.

Benefits of Family Activities
A recent post from FamilyFacts.org says that there are countless benefits of doing family activities together, including:

Creating a stronger emotional bond between parents and children.
Allowing for better communication between family members.
Superior performances in school, as children who spend time communicating with their parents tend to get better grades.
Less likely to exhibit behavioral problems, since kids with parents who spend quality family time together typically have fewer problem behaviors.

Parents and children both benefit from spending quality family time together. Children feel special when their parents take the time to do fun activities with them, and even simple everyday games can make for a great bonding experience.

Be Involved
So what if your children are really into sports but you don’t share the same enthusiasm? Balance is key. Healthy families keep a good balance between “too much” and “not enough” time together. They spend enough time to satisfy all family members and enjoy a wide range of activities that placate each family member’s interests. In addition, children learn to bring balance to their lives when they see their parents setting aside time for what they value.

Choose a range of activities that suit the needs and abilities of each family member – as these can change as children grow and develop. Be sure to expose your children to a variety of different sports and experiences and get a feel for their likes and dislikes. Each child is different and should be encouraged to find what interests them through experimentation and practice. Above all else – be patient. It may take some time for your child to find their groove – if they ever do at all. Consider the time spent playing sports as an investment in your family that will pay off in dividends.

Being involved in regular physical activity does more than just provide physical benefits for you and your family. (We’ve previously detailed the benefits of regular physical activity and how early athleticism affects childhood development.) From emotional bonding to better communication and higher performance in school, children whose parents participate in everyday activities experience diverse benefits that can last a lifetime. And, it doesn’t matter if your child is the next Steph Curry or doesn’t seem to excel in the sport at all – the benefits are the same!

Want more tips on this topic?
Check out How to Cultivate Bonding Through a Family Sports Night and 5 Fun Basketball Games for Families!

Champions Start Here

CONSIDER THE REALITIES
UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS
& COST CONSIDERATIONS

The Process

Cost Considerations

DREAM BIG
PLAY WITH OUR
ONLINE COURT BUILDER:

Online Court Builder

GET SERIOUS
ARE YOU READY TO
BE THE HANGOUT HOUSE?

Talk to an Expert

Get a Free On-Site Estimate

Understanding the Cost of a Backyard Basketball Court

August 1, 2016 By Shannon Grizil

Like any other major construction project, the cost to build a backyard basketball court will vary depending on a number of different factors. One of the most seemingly obvious factors is size – the larger the court, the more expensive the project. A compact “shooting lane” court can be built for less than a full-size tennis court with components, for example. When purchasing a backyard court, one must consider the “big picture” and treat it like the construction project that it is.

There are many factors that make up the overall cost of building a home game court, the actual “court” being just one of them. To better understand what you are getting when purchasing and installing a home court, let’s break down the project into 5 key components:

Site Work
Base Material
Surface
Components
Installation

1. Site Work
Building any athletic court requires a hard, flat surface. The site work can be defined as all of the work that needs to be completed in order to prepare your property to install the court – i.e. making it hard and flat. This includes excavating, leveling, grading, moving sprinklers, and any other work necessary to get your property ready for the base material.

Depending on your property, the site work is usually the largest costs associated with the project. The more work that needs to be completed to prepare your space, the larger the cost will be. This is why two seemingly identical 30′ x 30′ courts can vary in price as it depends on the property on which they are being built.

Aside from the obvious question of “who” will be doing your site work, it’s also important to consider the accessibility of your property. Inadequate access will limit the equipment that can be used, resulting in higher costs as work may take longer and specialty equipment may be needed. If necessary, fencing can be taken down and put back up to allow access for equipment.

2. Base Material
Base Material is exactly what it sounds like – the material that goes underneath your court. There are many options available for base material including concrete, asphalt, crushed stone and modular bases.

Many courts are built over a 4” thick concrete slab using 3500 PSI concrete and 1/2″ rebar reinforcements. Concrete is considered ideal for sport courts as a permanent structure that when done right will not require any maintenance. Asphalt is another option for base material, depending on your preference. However, asphalt will deteriorate with repeated freeze/thaw cycles and will require maintenance and/or repair over time.

If you are looking for a less permanent base due to lot coverage or zoning restrictions, a modular base may be the perfect solution. SportBase is a popular product used throughout the US and provides various advantages for homeowners. An eco-friendly alternative to concrete, SportBase reduces the need for heavy equipment and helps you avoid easement limitations. SportBase is also safer than concrete, has 2-3 times the amount of shock absorption, and has the highest head-impact rating to help protect against injuries and falls.

Regardless of the base material you choose, SportProsUSA can provide general specifications and estimates for your court. The price of the base will vary depending on what material you choose, among other factors. Local and state building codes, accessibility, drainage, and environmental codes should all be considered when determining the cost of your court base.

3. Surface
This is what most people think about when they first imagine building a game court and can also be considered the “material” from which the court is being built. As with the other components of court building, there are many options one can consider for their court surface. Paint, acrylic, and modular surfacing are all examples of court surfacing and each have their own unique properties and advantages.

SportProsUSA installs Sport Court modular products that are designed and manufactured in the United States with the highest standards of quality, safety, and performance in mind. Sport Court products are rigorously tested – both internally and by third-party testing labs – to ensure their products meet and exceed specifications. Sport Court PowerGame+ (the premier modular sports surface) provides the highest levels of performance and safety available on the market today. Independent third-party testing shows that no other outdoor modular sports surface surpasses PowerGame+’s combination of surface traction, head impact protection and low skin abrasion. In only a short time on the market, PowerGame+ has quickly become the number-one selling outdoor sports surface for athletes of all abilities.

The cost of the surface for your court is relatively simple, compared to the various considerations with site work and base material. Once you have decided on the type of surface you want for your home sport court, SportProsUSA can provide pricing for your custom material. Need help deciding? Our experienced team can discuss the best options for your family’s needs, your specific property, and the general climate trends that can affect the lifetime and performance of various surfaces.

4. Components
The components part of the court construction project is where the fun comes in! This is all of the accessories to make your backyard court truly unique to your wants and needs. After all, what’s a basketball court without the hoop? Components include things like basketball hoops, net systems, containment netting, rebounders, and lighting.

The type and amount of components for your backyard court will depend on your specific wants and needs, and can be different with each project. (A family who is only interested in tennis will not need basketball hoops and those who play volleyball don’t necessarily need a pitching machine.) The more accessories you choose for your court, the higher the cost associated. In turn, the more accessories you have, the more your court will be used and you’ll see a greater return on your investment. You can turn your basketball court into a multi-game court with painted lines and a net system, play day or night with custom lighting, or install containment netting to avoid runaway balls – the choice is yours!
Although you probably already imagine the type of accessories you’ll want for your backyard court, SportProsUSA can provide guidance and suggestions based on your needs and budget. Still not sure what you want? Take a look at some of our past residential basketball projects for ideas and inspiration!

5. Installation
Now that you and your property are fully prepared, the last component of the court building process is the actual installation of your court and accessories. The installation of your court and painting of lines usually takes 1-2 days and the only cost associated with this step (should no unexpected problems arise) is the labor costs. Labor costs can vary depending on who is doing the installation (contractor) and where you live.

Building a backyard sport court is a unique construction project for your home. By this point, you’ve already spent a lot of time, money, and energy invested in this project and choosing the right contractor for installation is crucial. It’s important to consider the support and care that the installer provides and the quality of installation being performed. You cannot afford to use anyone unlicensed, uninsured, or unacquainted with the court building process. A contractor who is not experienced with building backyard courts will only lead you to invest more in the future if not done properly.

Choose a contractor who is experienced in building backyard basketball courts, like SportProsUSA. Our team will walk you through every step of the court building process to ensure that your family receives a basketball court that not only looks great but also performs great for years to come.

It’s important to understand all that goes into a building a home sport court. There are numerous factors that affect the overall cost of this unique construction project and knowing the basic components will help you be better prepared for the costs associated. While the whole project may seem daunting, SportProsUSA can help you and your family have a stress-free experience. We can help you plan, design, finance, and build the backyard court of your dreams!

Contact us for a custom evaluation and free estimate of your project.
For more information on our home sport court financing plans, please click here.

Champions Start Here

CONSIDER THE REALITIES
UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS
& COST CONSIDERATIONS

The Process

Cost Considerations

DREAM BIG
PLAY WITH OUR
ONLINE COURT BUILDER:

Online Court Builder

GET SERIOUS
ARE YOU READY TO
BE THE HANGOUT HOUSE?

Talk to an Expert

Get a Free On-Site Estimate

You May Think You Have a Sport Court® Game Court, But Do You Really?

May 23, 2016 By Shannon Grizil

Not All Game Courts Are Sport Court® Game Courts
So, you think you have a Sport Court® playing surface. But, do you really? Sport Court® may be a famous brand but it has also become a popular noun right alongside the likes of Kleenex, Xerox, Jell-O, and Band-Aid. English majors like to call these “proprietary eponyms” – when a brand name for a product becomes so popular that they are commonly used for the name of the product, even when it’s from a different manufacturer.

[Case in point: Try NOT asking for a Band-Aid the next time you have a cut. It’s not easy to change our vocabulary when something becomes commonplace, especially when everyone else uses the same language and understands what you mean. If you say “Can you grab me a Curad?” some people might not automatically recognize what you are talking about. (Hint: it’s a first aid bandage company with products similar to Band-Aid and also relatively well-known.)]

We’ve all seen it happen. The commonplace products and services of today become the household words of tomorrow. And while it’s a testament to Sport Court’s innovation, industry leading products and endurance that they have become so commonplace that they are now a proprietary eponym, it’s also important to remember that not all game courts are Sport Courts game courts.

Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about it: “Game courts are usually constructed using a rectangular sub-base made from concrete or asphalt, then covered with an open-grid modular polypropylene (or similar) sports surface to improve safety. The game-court concept was popularized by Sport Court in the 1970s, and some generic references are made to game courts as ‘sport courts’, although that is a trademark of Connor Sport Court International, LLC.”

So, what then, is the difference between Sport Court® and other game court manufacturers? I’m SO glad you asked! Sport Court founded the notion of the backyard game court and continues to be the industry leader in modular sports flooring. Sport Court’s Court Builders™ have traveled across the globe to all seven continents and have built over 100,000 game courts in more than 100 counties for almost every sport imaginable. Sport Court is literally the World’s Largest Court Builder™.

Not only was Sport Court the first and only to develop safe and durable sports surfaces, they also proudly manufacture the Safest Court in the World™. Their products are used at the highest levels of competition by many of the world’s leading sports organizations and trusted by elite athletes worldwide.

And as if all that wasn’t enough, Sport Court is dedicated to the environment and keeping our world safe and clean for future generations to play. Sport Court is verified as a ZeroWaste Manufacturer by SWCA Environmental Consultants and was the first sports flooring manufacturer to implement and certify a quality manufacturing process through ISO. They proudly lead the industry as the first ISO 9001:2009 sports flooring manufacturer in the United States and continually ensure that they are producing the highest-quality products available on the market today while keeping waste out of landfills.

Quite simply, Sport Court provides quality products and services unmatched in the industry today. So, before you go telling people about your new backyard addition, remember that just because it’s a game court doesn’t make it a Sport Court® game court.