Healthy Living

Boys and Girls Clubs Across the Country Play on Sport Court Surfaces

October 24, 2019 By Shannon Grizil

Boys and Girls Clubs across the country have selected Sport Court surfaces for their communities. The safe, economical and low maintenance surfaces allow Boys and Girls Clubs to focus on fulfilling their mission – to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens – instead of focusing on court upkeep.

Easy to maintain and cost effective, Sport Court surfaces allow Boys and Girls Clubs to keep costs low and fitness programs going without interruption. Surfaces can be installed in one day and require little attention once down. This means little additional costs and a long life-cycle full of community activities.

Along with being low maintenance, Sport Court game courts provide a safe surface for Boys and Girls Clubs. Sport Court’s engineers work to design high-performance game courts that increase the safety of the athletes playing on them. The surfaces reduce the likelihood of head injuries from impact and decrease shock on joints. These qualities ensure a surface designed for protection, reassuring a community center that their patrons are playing on a safe surface.

With these safety features in place, Boys and Girls Clubs can put their effort and attention into building fitness and recreation programs that align with their Club’s needs. These programs are created to develop fitness, a positive use of leisure time, reduction of stress, appreciation for the environment and social and interpersonal skills.

boys girls club flooring sport court game court indoor floor

Sport Court believes in building the character traits targeted by the Boys and Girls Clubs fitness programs. We make our game courts easy to install and maintain so staff can focus on encouraging and cultivating youth who play on our surfaces.

Safe, cost effective and low maintenance surfaces have made Boys and Girls Clubs across the Unites States loyal Sport Court customers. With dozens of Boys and Girls Club installations to date Sport Court has had the ability to offer local youth and communities a safe place to gather, play and learn.

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

10 Ways to Transform Your Summer With A Sport Court

June 24, 2018 By Shannon Grizil

Summer is winding down and the kids are preparing to go back to school. How do you feel? Chances are that you are having visions of that first day drop-off. Maybe you’ve even booked a massage? I know I can’t wait to finish the back-to-school shopping and have a little peace and quiet. Don’t get me wrong, I love having the little guy around. But, does he always have to be so around? If your child is anything like mine, it’s a struggle to get them away from the television and video games and into the gloriously shining sun. The phrase, “But there’s nothing to do!” is thrown around far too often.

In today’s age of technology, an empty backyard does not hold the same promise of imagination and wonder as it once did. Maybe a little push in the right direction is just what your child needs to get off the couch and into the fun summer sun. A backyard sports court can transform your backyard into a space with endless possibilities. Here are ten ways that a sport court can change your summers (and life) forever, and create a lifetime of memories. (Note: If you don’t have a backyard court, your yard or local park will work just fine!)

1. Host A Basketball Tournament.
Arrange a basketball tournament for your children and their friends. Pick a day where your kids invite their friends over for a single elimination basketball tournament. Make the teams as large or small as you’d like, depending on the number of kids participating and how many teams you’d like to have.

2. Volleyball
Let’s be honest, when was the last time you played volleyball? With minimal people and equipment, you can involve the whole family in an exciting game! Play 2-on-2 or get your neighbors for 6-on-6; volleyball is versatile!

No backyard volleyball court? Grab a volleyball net from the store and set it up in the middle of your yard. Use rope or spray paint to mark the court boundaries on your grass. Play to 21 or 121, it’s your summer!
Hint: Use a beach ball for an easier, softer game that can involve the little ones!

3. Giant Checkers
Something different and fun! Mix up the outdoor activities by playing checkers on your backyard court. No backyard checkerboard? Use chalk to draw an over-sized board in the driveway or on the back patio. Choose large, uniform items such as Frisbees or plastic cups for the checkers.

4. Bowling
Setup a bowling alley on your backyard court. Don’t have pins or a bowling? No problem! Use empty plastic water bottles or milk jugs as pins and any softer sports ball (beach ball, dodge ball or basketball) in place of a bowling ball.Bonus: This can be done individually or with friends!

5. Bocce Ball
Bocce Ball is an easy, low-impact game that can be enjoyed by all ages, which makes it a popular choice for backyards. It’s a simple and fun game the will add diversity to your summer activities. And because of the limited space needed to set up and play, you can use a small section of your yard away from other activities. All you need are some balls!

6. Soccer
Turn your backyard basketball court into a soccer field by placing soccer nets on either end of the court. Gather the neighborhood kids to kick up the competition or keep the game in the family.

No backyard sport court to turn into a soccer field? Grab some spray paint or rope to draw a soccer field on your lawn. Once you’ve drawn the field boundaries, place lawn chairs, or other markers, on each end of your soccer field to serve as goals.

7. Tennis
Grab your racquets and head outside to your backyard court for a game of doubles or singles. If you don’t have a backyard court, head to a local park or school with public tennis courts. Many towns offer courts free of charge during the summer months!

Play as little or as much as you want. Tennis is easy to learn and great exercise at any age!

8. Tetherball
Pretty self-explanatory. No tetherball pole? Don’t worry. Attach a tetherball to any slim metal bar you have in your front or backyard. Still not an option? Head to your local park or public elementary school where tetherball poles are commonly availaible to the public.

9. Putt Putt
While it’s probably every golfer’s dream to have their own putting green, it’s not always a reality. Get creative and turn your backyard into a fun putt-putt course for the whole family! Make your own obstacles and holes using lawn chairs, backyard toys, cups for holes and any other items you can think of to turn your yard into the best putt-putt course in the neighborhood.

10. Yoga
All these outdoor activities have you tired? Relax your mind and regain your sanity with yoga on your backyard court. Even without a backyard court, your yard or back patio is the perfect place to throw down your yoga mat and find your zen.

Boring summers can be a thing of the past! Multi-game sport courts can solve the summer blues. Not to mention, it is a safer surface for physical activities and allows you and your kids to enjoy your favorite games or sports without worrying about wet grass, dirt or mud! Whether you have a little space or a lot, a sports court can be the solution you’ve been waiting for. Don’t let another year go by without a backyard sports court!

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

Transform Your Summer with a Backyard Sport Court

June 21, 2018 By Shannon Grizil

Summer is officially here! While you may be drinking in the promise of a memory-filled season with perfectly behaved children, chances are that it won’t be long before your wishing for that first day of school. Don’t get me wrong, having the kids around is great. But the excitement of the summer seems to wear off fast and the kids are left with their heads in their phones for days on end. If the phrase, “But there’s nothing to do!” is thrown around far too often in your home, consider what a backyard Sport Court could do for your family!

In today’s age of technology, an empty backyard does not hold the same promise of imagination and wonder as it once did. Maybe a little push in the right direction is just what your child needs to get off the couch and into the fun summer sun. A backyard Sport Court can transform your backyard into a space with endless possibilities. Here are ten ways that a sport court can change your summers (and life) forever, and create a lifetime of memories. (Note: If you don’t have a backyard court, your yard or local park will work just fine!)

Host A Basketball Tournament.
Arrange a basketball tournament for your children and their friends. Pick a day where your kids invite their friends over for a single elimination basketball tournament. Make the teams as large or small as you’d like, depending on the number of kids participating and how many teams you’d like to have.
Volleyball
Let’s be honest, when was the last time you played volleyball? With minimal people and equipment, you can involve the whole family in an exciting game! Play 2-on-2 or get your neighbors for 6-on-6; volleyball is versatile! No backyard volleyball court? Grab a volleyball net from the store and set it up in the middle of your yard. Use rope or spray paint to mark the court boundaries on your grass. Play to 21 or 121, it’s your summer!
Hint: Use a beach ball for an easier, softer game that can involve the little ones!
Giant Checkers
Something different and fun! Mix up the outdoor activities by playing checkers on your backyard court. No backyard checkerboard? Use chalk to draw an over-sized board in the driveway or on the back patio. Choose large, uniform items such as Frisbees or plastic cups for the checkers.
Bowling
Setup a bowling alley on your backyard court. Don’t have pins or a bowling? No problem! Use empty plastic water bottles or milk jugs as pins and any softer sports ball (beach ball, dodgeball or basketball) in place of a bowling ball.
Bonus: This can be done individually or with friends!
Bocce Ball
Bocce Ball is an easy, low-impact game that can be enjoyed by all ages, which makes it a popular choice for backyards. It’s a simple and fun game the will add diversity to your summer activities. And because of the limited space needed to set up and play, you can use a small section of your yard away from other activities. All you need are some balls!
Soccer
Turn your backyard basketball court into a soccer field by placing soccer nets on either end of the court. Gather the neighborhood kids to kick up the competition or keep the game in the family. No backyard sport court to turn into a soccer field? Grab some spray paint or rope to draw a soccer field on your lawn. Once you’ve drawn the field boundaries, place lawn chairs, or other markers, on each end of your soccer field to serve as goals.
Tennis
Grab your racquets and head outside to your backyard court for a game of doubles or singles. If you don’t have a backyard court, head to a local park or school with public tennis courts. Many towns offer courts free of charge during the summer months! Play as little or as much as you want. Tennis is easy to learn and great exercise at any age!
Tetherball
Pretty self-explanatory. No tetherball pole? Don’t worry. Attach a tetherball to any slim metal bar you have in your front or backyard. Still not an option? Head to your local park or public elementary school where tetherball poles are commonly available to the public.
Putt Putt
While it’s probably every golfer’s dream to have their own putting green, it’s not always a reality. Get creative and turn your backyard into a fun putt-putt course for the whole family! Make your own obstacles and holes using lawn chairs, backyard toys, cups for holes and any other items you can think of to turn your yard into the best putt-putt course in the neighborhood.
Yoga
All these outdoor activities have you tired? Relax your mind and regain your sanity with yoga on your backyard court. Even without a backyard court, your yard or back patio is the perfect place to throw down your yoga mat and find your zen.

Boring summers can be a thing of the past! Multi-game sport courts can solve the summer blues. Not to mention, it is a safer surface for physical activities and allows you and your kids to enjoy your favorite games or sports without worrying about wet grass, dirt or mud! Whether you have a little space or a lot, a sport court from SportProsUSA can be the solution you’ve been waiting for. Don’t let another year go by without a backyard game court!

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

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

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!