There are several things to consider when building a sports court. Whether it’s an indoor or outdoor court, a public or private court, as well as traffic and public safety – all of these choices should be made before breaking ground.

During sports court construction, contractors must take these factors into account. In addition, they need to consider the type of play surface, the size and proportions of the field, necessary markings, and objects like baskets, goals, nets, as well as the type of sports court fencing required. With that said, read on as we take a look at some of the different types of sports court fencing and why they are important in creating the perfect playing field or sports court.

Why Fencing is Important

A fence is just a fence – right? Not when it comes to creating a safe and regulated area for specific types of sports courts. A great variety of sports is played outdoors, in organised spaces designed to provide the perfect conditions for the activities being held.

Both private and public outdoor sports courts have specific characteristics to be met, but there can be a wide range of styles and specifications that vary from one court to another.

Here’s a quick list of outdoor sports that require specially designed fencing:

• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Tennis
• Soccer
• Hockey
• Track and field

With any of these sports, court fencing is an important element for various reasons. For example, it has the practical purpose of ensuring that game objects are kept within the court and that gameplay does not affect activities going on in neighbouring areas. Fencing also plays a role in games, as it can help players determine distances and see the limits of the playing area more easily.

In some cases, the characteristics of the fencing vary in different areas of the field, depending on the functions of the particular fence. The height, colour, and type of fence will reflect the way the game is played and how much activity is expected.

Let’s go through the three main ways a sports court fence keeps the public and the players safe. We will also show how it helps them enjoy the sports they watch or play.

The three main reasons why sports court fencing is important are crowd safety, crowd control, and player safety. When considering outdoor sports fields, especially public ones where more people are expected, these specifications must be followed rigorously.

Crowd Safety

In sports where players use a ball, puck, or other sports equipment that is being passed, thrown, and launched, crowd safety needs to be ensured by proper fencing. A stray puck, for example, flying into the crowd can cause serious injury, as can a tennis ball that travels at speeds exceeding 100km per second.

Reducing the potential for injury to spectators plays a large part in the way fencing is constructed. Additionally, the specific way in which a sport is being played will provide certain expectations in terms of fencing height, strength, density, and length.

Tennis court fencing, for instance, needs to be tall enough to not let tennis balls out of the delimited area (based on the average height, length, and strength of a ball serve or pass). It also has to be dense enough for a tennis ball to not pass through it, even when it hits the fence with a certain force. During tennis court construction, the fencing is carefully placed and designed to provide visibility to the public while keeping the crowd safe during the games.

Crowd Control

When members of the public are present at a sports event, the safety of the crowd and the players is paramount when building the sports court and its fencing. Spectators will sit or stand at certain heights, depending on the nature of the sport that’s being played. For instance, full-sized soccer or football courts can be so big that the public typically watches from raised rows of benches, also commonly known as bleachers.

In order to prevent accidents that might happen when spectators are going in and out of the field or moving around during the game, fencing can be used to define the spectator area and house the crowd safely. Many sports can also get heated when it comes to fan support, and fencing has the role of separating fans of different teams, keeping them at a safe distance from the field, and directing them to their seats.

Another reason fencing can be useful for crowd control is in case of an emergency such as a fire. Having proper contingency plans for a fire and the ability to evacuate the area quickly are vital, especially during major sporting events.

Game Regulations and Player Safety

Another crucial role played by sports field fencing is ensuring the safety of the players while they are engaged in the game. Game regulations may also dictate the specifications of the court limits.

Some examples of sports fencing that are designed specifically for certain games are plexiglass walls for hockey rinks, the height of the backstop fencing for baseball, or the padded fencing at the back of most large baseball fields that prevent outfielders from injury when catching fly balls and high hits.

Each type of sports court fencing is designed to meet the regulations of the game being played, prevent player injury, and meet the crowd’s needs and keep them safe. Builders must use the ideal materials, techniques, and designs to comply with the official game and safety regulations. The fencing material, technical properties, and even colour or design must also follow precise specifications.

Fence Me In!

While the rules and regulations listed above are important, they won’t stop a talented team of contractors from designing custom, innovative and non-traditional types of outdoor sports fields and sports courts fencing.

Working with a team of experts will ensure that the fencing of your sports field keeps the public and your players safe. Here at TFR Construction, we specialise in building custom sports fields and fencing and combine reliability with design and high quality. Contact us today to discuss your sports court fencing needs!