Because you don't have the proper anchoring if the concrete isn't at the proper diameter at the bottom. I installed a couple similar to NBA style ( not the whole rack system) hoops with full backboard and height adjuster mechanism. They were large and heavy. The instructions specified the hole be 52x24x24 with a 4 inch flare on each side at the bottom. It was a pita. But messing it up and doing it twice because I was lazy about digging a hole would have been worse. Dirt provides resistance to the anchor moving. It does not replace anchor weight and stability.
You can also turn the face of the shovel towards the wall of the hole (essentially holding it backwards)and scrap down the side of the hole
It hardly worked that way. But it can do some... I really favored the basketball pole.
Why do you care if it narrows a bit. You are going to fill it with concrete right.
I just wanted to strive for perfection or the nearest thing to it. It's good to know it's at the correct depth with the proper i.d. all the way down.
Because you don't have the proper anchoring if the concrete isn't at the proper diameter at the bottom. I installed a couple similar to NBA style ( not the whole rack system) hoops with full backboard and height adjuster mechanism. They were large and heavy. The instructions specified the hole be 52x24x24 with a 4 inch flare on each side at the bottom. It was a pita. But messing it up and doing it twice because I was lazy about digging a hole would have been worse. Dirt provides resistance to the anchor moving. It does not replace anchor weight and stability.
@@deadbrother5355 💯