A portable basketball goal allows you to set up a hoop for a game with family and friends, while at the same time not permanently secure a pole and backboard at the end of your driveway. To safely place the basketball goal in a particular spot, make sure the ground is flat. While the base of the goal should be weighted with water or sand, placing it on flat ground will prevent it from tipping or falling.
Measure the base of the portable basketball goal. Flatten an area that is slightly larger than the area you measured. Six inches on each side should suffice. A typical basketball goal base measures two to four feet on each side.
Mark off the area you want to flatten with a tape measure.
Dig through the area, turning over the grass and top soil and exposing underlying rocks.
Rake through the dirt and top soil, removing rocks and grass that will impede the base of the basketball goal. Continue to rake until the soil is free of debris. Place the excess into a wheelbarrow and dispose of it.
Flatten the soil with a tamping tool. Make a stamping movement across the entire area.
Check to see if the ground is level by placing a level on the tamped soil. Look for the air bubble in the level to rest in the middle, confirming the ground is flat. Do this in several different spots.