Carpentry and Woodworking - building a tennis wall

I would like to build an 8-ft high wall to hit tennis balls against. It is on one end of a 30 x 40 ft concrete slab. My plan in to sink 4x4 posts every 4 feet (one 2-ft section) and nail treated plywood vertically to them. What do others recommend for additional support? Should I notch out the 4x4s and fit in 2x4 horizontal support to nail to? Should I nail the plywood up first and then nail support to the back between the 4x4s - would toenail to 4x4s (?) I plan on at least one horizontal row on top, bottom and one in middle. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Jeff K

jjkreis1
You are on the right track with your tennis wall plans. Consider these additional suggestions. The 4x4's at 4' on center should be good. Don't notch the 4x4's... that would only reduce their strength to that of 2x4's, which wouldn't be strong enough. I would use at least 4 horizontal 2x4s spaced evenly on the posts (about 32" on center)if you use 3/4" plywood for the face. You may need to put some angled supports behind the 4x4's to keep the wall from wobbling in the wind (or those lightning bolt serves you are working on!). YOu didn't mention the length of the wall... is it on the whole 30' end? That would generate a lot of wind resistance, so I would recommend a brace on every other post at a minimum. Finally, use deck screws to put this thing together. You will get a much more durable job, they are easier to install on a wall (all the pounding you would do would likely loosen up the posts in the ground) and you now have the perfect excuse to get that new screw gun you've had your eye on! ....Tennis anyone?