Indoor Courts

Always start with a written layout of the facility.

 Floor Plan--Not to scale

• All dimensions must be on the layout.
• Take measurements and view every dimension from courtside, looking at backdrop, walls.
• All walkways behind the curtains must have a specified width.
• Start taking dimensions from one end wall. This is usually the clubhouse end but it is not always.
• The position of divider curtains between courts must be determined and marked on the layout.
• With cable systems, older cable must be tightened before any height measurements are taken.
• Cable height for backdrops must be measured. Cable height for divider curtains must be  measured. Frequently, these are different because of construction details.
• All divider curtains have a natural droop that occurs between fasteners of 1"-2" as they hang. This is normal.
• All measurements of height must take into account the fasteners to be used. Example: Snaps will add 1-3/4" and will affect both backdrops and divider curtains.
• All emergency exit doors must be identified and provision made to allow unfettered access to these doors.

Drawings are illustrative only and we accept no responsibility for their use.  Reprinted by permission of the American Sports Builders Association.

Section--Not to scale

Backdrops

Each inside court is best fitted with a single curtain that is 60’ long or shorter. Where it is hung depends on the location of the court entrances; it does not necessarily have to start or  end at the divider nets.

• If entrance to the court is through a split wing at the end of the divider net, then one curtain  extending from the split wing to the next court’s split wing is the best arrangement. Allow 1’ of additional curtain at each wing.
• If a full-height door flap is used and positioned behind the baseline, then curtain sizes will be  determined by where the door flap is located. Again, allow 1’ overlap at the door flap.
• If the plan calls for court entrances to be through the overlaps in the backdrop curtains, then  these need to be situated away from the main frames and again overlapped by 1'. Each  backdrop should be overlapped along the length by 2' , except at the end there should be 1’ extra to wrap around.

Divider Curtains

Measuring the required length for divider curtains needs to take into  account the following:

• All divider curtains have a natural curving undulation as they hang and will require adding 4 ft to the typical across-court dimensions of 120 ft.
• All divider curtains should be overlapped by 2 ft at center court to allow for a convenient  passage between courts.

• Divider curtains must be supported by vertical overhead cables at three or four points to keep them from sagging over time, or high-tension cabling should be used with one center support cable.
• The point where the divider curtain will meet the backdrop can be designed in a number of ways. It can meet at 90 degrees and have an adjacent flap doorway. It can meet at a so-called California corner that provides a corner angle in two adjacent courts. Door flaps to allow for passage are easily designed into this configuration. However, it is critical to specify every distance in this section. California corners are usually set at 45 degrees but exact dimensions are required to insure the proper joining of backdrop and divider curtain.

Padding

A pad should protect every hard surface located behind the backdrop curtain that could cause injury by bodily collision.

• There are two basic types, glue-on and lace-on. Glue-on pads are vinyl covered foam with an open back. Lace-on pads are fully vinyl enclosed and secured by grommets on top and sides.
• Each pad must be identified on the layout by the type of pad that is appropriate.
• To design pads for use on poles and posts, the circumference of that pole or post must be  measured. On all pads, be sure the style you select can be properly installed.