Need Advise on a Grass / Sand Net System

SleepySmurf · **Need Advise on a Grass / Sand Net System -** 12-28-2005, 01:04 PM

Hello Everyone,

I'm looking for buy a durable outdoor net system designed for Grass and Beach, I wanted to purchase two for my group (Happy Holidays). Any successes or complaints I'll take anything, I'm not in the market or mood of blowing $500.00 so I want something that will last.

Outta Town · **net system for grass and sand -** 12-29-2005, 09:42 AM

Cobra Net System runs about $300 each. I have 15 of them I use for my tournaments here in Phoenix on grass and on the deep sand in Mexico. They set up fast, use no guy wires and come with everything including a nice heavy carrying bag.

I upgrade the boundary ropes though, and buy 1" webbing through homecourt.com.

System uses 36 inch aluminum spikes that go into the ground at a slight angle using a supplied angle guide. The tension on the ropes on top and bottom keep the net at true height. It comes with mens, and womens height adjustments. Very simple and clean, and safe without guy wires to trip over.

SleepySmurf · 12-29-2005, 11:48 AM

Dude You ROCK!

Thank you so much for the information this was exactly what I was looking for..... (I LOVE THIS SITE). I'm going to get in contact with the vendor today.

On another note: My group is also looking to runing a few fund raiser events (Grass and Beach) for a local charity and club team. Since you run these types of events any advise or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

NewEnglandRT · 12-29-2005, 04:02 PM

Outta Town... do you use that net system in the same place everyweek? Does having to plant the stake cause any problems week after week?

It looks like a good system. Right now my outdoor group uses a couple of 2x4's with some steel guidelines and a cheapo net. I wonder if they'd spring for a unit like this :shrug:

Glenn · 12-29-2005, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewEnglandRT

Outta Town... do you use that net system in the same place everyweek? Does having to plant the stake cause any problems week after week?

It looks like a good system. Right now my outdoor group uses a couple of 2x4's with some steel guidelines and a cheapo net. I wonder if they'd spring for a unit like this :shrug:

It just so happens VBLI has been asked to do a charity event this summer possibly two and looking for a good net system. I was tasked a last week with doing homework on a system and found the Cobra System one of the best. I was slow in doing home jsut like in school hoildays and all......

http://www.cobravolleyball.com

After shipping and better lines your looking at about $360.00 each. If the systems last it's worth every blessed penny. We have a call into Cobra on a bulk price for fifteen to twenty units. If we (VBLI) can get a discount we will pass it on to anyone interested.

Glenn

Outta Town · 12-29-2005, 10:27 PM

We use the Cobra on grass only in parks that get irrigation. I did set up in a nice park that had sprinklers, but had to get the city's permission and a groundskeeper to point out sprinkler pipes. Don't want the bill for poking through one of those. If you set up in the same small area repeatedly, just move your poles over about a foot each time. In grass, you only go in about 12 - 18 inches. In deep sand, I put them in with only about 6-10 inches showing above the top of the sand. When you remove them, simply use the bottom half of the pole to wiggle the stake around till you can pull straight up.

My oldest nets are about 8 years old now. The original demo model they sent me needs to retire this year. They keep upgrading the systems too. Better nets and much better carrying bag in the newer ones.
I do need to buy 3 more before April for my next Mexico tourney. The guy(Les Decker) who sells them is now here in Mesa AZ. You might mention Outta Town Productions to him when ordering, but I think if you go big with an order, he will give you the same price anyway. I believe I got the last 3 for $265 each when I bought 3.
With 15-20 net order, you should get better price yet.

Sleepy Smurf - The best investment I ever made for running tournaments is Tournament Builder Pro. You can set up any kind of tournament for any sport with it. Round Robin, pool play brackets, single elim, double elim, random brackets, best vs worst, leagues, multiple courts, multiple days, what court a team plays on and what time... it does it all for you.

I have found that it best to have all teams pre-register so I can get everything inputed and printed out the day before the tournament. But you could take a laptop and run it all right there as long as you have power and are not afraid of getting your laptop sandy or dirty. You can do live updates after each game is done with TB Pro.

I do not let teams register the day of tourney any more. That way I know how many courts I need, how much money I have for prizes, and few teams bail when the have already paid.

Play ON!!

Troy · 10:42 AM

I bought a Cobra system a few years ago and have used it on grass and sand on a regular basis.

Pros:
- Its durable. Every thing still works after 3 years of Florida humidty. Well, except for the plastic zipper on the bag which broke after a month or so, but no big deal.
- 1 person can set it up alone.
- No saggy net problems.
- Its safe; no guy wires; padded poles.
- Consistent results.

Cons:
- The net is too light and springy. The ball will sling-shot out of the net on a hard hit. Remember, the whole system relies on spring-loaded tension.
- No dowel rods in the sides, so there's no way to adjust tension across the face of the net.
- No way to add antennaes unless you buy another net.
- Upgrading the net to one with dowel rods will require additional hardware, add additional weight, and will result in the net being about a foot short. You'll also have to add guy wires to prevent the poles from bending too much.
- You have to buy and carry a sledgehammer to set it up.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd buy the Brine Professional System, or something similar. For what you'll pay for the Cobra you can get a more standardized system for long-term competitive use, but if you just want something you can set up quickly and get a few games on, the Cobra will do.

SleepySmurf · 05:05 PM

Outta Town I just left another call to Cobra, their answering service when no one is available to answer the phone was so funny yesterday. Check this out.

It goes some thing like this:

Ring Ring Ring Ring

Service....
"You've reached the Cobra Sports International inc home of the patanted Cobra volleyball system. All of our line are busy right not, but if you leave a message we will return your call you back as soon as we possibly can. Thank you so much for your call... At the tone please leave your message at the end of your message press one."

Me....
So I left a message then pressed one.

Service....
"If you are satisfied with your message press one , to listen 2, erase press 3, record where you left off press 4..... "

Me....
I pressed one and it beeps

Service....
"At the tone please leave your message at the end of your message press one."

Me....
So I left another message then pressed one.

Service....
"If you are satisfied with your message press one , to listen 2, erase press 3, record where you left off press 4..... "

This went on three times so I gave up.... I figured I'd call back today so called back this morning and the system was working. I swear, I felt like I was volleying over the phone, and the they were winning.

I've done some more reach on the Cobra system and found it to be one of the best unit around. If VBLI purchases them in any qty I'm in for three, two to play and one for the trunk.

Troy · 12-30-2005, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SleepySmurf

I've done some more reach on the Cobra system and found it to be one of the best unit around. If VBLI purchases them in any qty I'm in for three, two to play and one for the trunk.[/font][/size]

Actually, the best are made by Ultimate Net Systems. The Cobra has its disadvantages (see my post above).

Outta Town · 12-30-2005, 01:02 PM

I used to make my own net systems because I wanted steel cables top and bottom for the best net play. They had to have guy wires to support the weight and keep tension. But when players kept getting into the net and tearing them out of the sand, resulting in play stoppage to reset the net, I needed something that would stay up.
I checked into the Cobra(at that time it was sold through Eberhardt Enterprises, which then sold off to Les Decker). Yes the nets are rope top and are held up by tension giving a very springy net play, but it can't be torn down in aggressive play. You can actually grab the top of the net and pull it to the ground and it will spring right back up and be playable still.
When you have 80 teams on 16 courts running timed games, you can not have courts down do to net failure. And the ease of setting that many courts up at once can't be beat. As long as all nets are set up the same, your players will not complain.

It does take a shorthandle sledge hammer to set the spikes, but once you have it, there is no other cost. Just keep it inside one of your net bags.

Troy - If you need more tension on the net, simply tie more thin ropes at 1/3 and 2/3 up the net on both ends and tie them taught to the poles, or try midweight bungee cords. Minimal weight is added and still no need for guy wires. If you need to lower the net an inch or so, use the lower bungee cords that come with the system and go twice around the pole at a lower spot. It will pull down on the entire net and gauge it to the height you want.

Hope that helps everyone out.