Okay, here’s my blog post about setting up a portable wooden volleyball court floor:

So, I’ve been wanting to get more serious about volleyball practice, even when I’m on the go. I had this crazy idea: what about a portable wooden floor? I know, it sounds nuts, but I was determined to try it.

Brainstorming and Scrounging

First, I needed to figure out what I was even doing. I knew I couldn’t just lay down some plywood and call it a day. It needed some kind of support, some…give. That’s where the “keel” idea came in – like the bottom of a boat, but for a volleyball court.

I started by gathering materials. This mostly involved hitting up some local hardware stores and even checking out a few construction sites (with permission, of course!). I managed to find some decent-quality plywood that wasn’t too warped. For the keel, I ended up using some sturdy 2x4s. I also grabbed a bunch of screws, wood glue, and some heavy-duty rubber matting for the very bottom – to protect whatever surface I’d be setting this thing up on.

Building the Beast

The actual building process was…interesting. Let’s just say there was a lot of trial and error. My initial plan was way too complicated. I’m no carpenter, that’s for sure!

• I started by cutting the plywood into smaller, manageable sections. Think of it like giant puzzle pieces.
• Then, I built the keel frame. This was basically a grid of 2x4s, spaced out to provide support under each plywood section. I made sure to use plenty of wood glue and screws to make it extra strong. I want to emphasize I did a lot of measuring!
• Next up I laid down the plywood and after a few tries, I screwed it to the keel, and added rubber matting to the very bottom.

The “Sleep” Test (and Refinement)

I call it “portable,” but honestly, it’s more like “luggable.” This thing is heavy! But, it does break down into smaller pieces, which makes it somewhat manageable. The first time I set it up, it was in my backyard. I wanted to test the “bounce” and see if it felt anything like a real court.

It wasn’t perfect. Some sections were a little uneven, and the whole thing felt a bit…stiff. So, back to the drawing board (or, you know, the garage). I ended up adding some extra padding under the plywood in a few spots, and I adjusted the keel in a couple of places to make it more level.

The Verdict?

After a few more tweaks and a couple of practice sessions with friends, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out! It’s definitely not the same as a professional indoor court, but it’s a heck of a lot better than playing on grass or concrete. It’s got a decent bounce, and it feels pretty solid underfoot. I placed it into my car and took it with me.

Would I recommend this project to everyone? Probably not. It’s a lot of work, and you need some basic woodworking skills (or at least a willingness to learn from your mistakes!). But if you’re like me, and you’re determined to get some quality practice in, no matter where you are, it might just be worth the effort. I just finished setting it up and ready to play!