Most sports equipment can be recycled or reused and there are various ways to repurpose your gear after the game. One of the most popular ways is to build a field hockey goal cage. What is a field hockey goal cage?
A field hockey goal cage is a structure that surrounds the playing field and confines the players within the boundaries of the sports field. The main purpose of a field hockey goal cage is to protect the players from injury. It also provides a safe area for players to wait out the time between goals. The structure does this by shielding the players from head-on collisions with other players, the ball, or any other equipment. The walls and roof of the goal-cage are usually made from PVC pipe, wood, or metal. The floor is usually made from concrete or asphalt. The goal-cage can also be used to store sports gear such as hockey sticks, helmets, and other sports apparel.
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Why Build A Field Hockey Goal Cage?
Field hockey is a fast-paced sport that requires players to be aggressive and persistent. It also demands fast reflexes and quick movement. Because of this, it is a dangerous sport and oftentimes leads to injuries. One of the most common injuries occurs when a player is hit in the head with the ball or with a puck during play. Another injury that a field hockey goalie faces is when a player traps him in the fence as the player is going around or after the goalie has blocked a shot. In both of these situations, the player has no place to go and must protect himself from injury by taking cover behind the goal.
Another danger to a goalie in field hockey is when a player tries to score by running in on him with the puck. This can cause injuries to the knees from sliding on the ice or concrete or asphalt surfaces. If the attacker manages to score, the goalie has no chance of avoiding injury as he is now defending a 2-on-1 attack. This is why a field hockey goal cage was invented to protect the goalies.
How Do I Build A Field Hockey Goal Cage?
If you want to build a field hockey goal cage, the first thing you will need to do is decide where you will put it. You should put the cage in the center of the field to ensure that it is easily accessible to all players. An alternative is to put it behind one of the goals, this will also work if you have two nets. Once you have determined the location for your cage, mark the spot with tape so that you can easily find it during and after the game.
To build a field hockey goal cage, you will need lumber, concrete block, drywall, steel cable, plastic sheeting, PVC pipe, wood screws, nuts, and washers. If you have a garage or shed, then you can use that to store the materials for the project. If not, then you must either go to another building or leave the garage at home (keep reading for alternative solutions).
Step 1: Determine the Size Of The Cage
The first step in building a field hockey goal cage is to determine the size of the cage you need. This is more difficult than it seems because you want to ensure that the size and the shape of the cage is appropriate for the size of your field. For example, if your field is 100 yards by 50 yards, then you will need a bigger cage than if your field is only 60 yards by 40 yards. You would not want to put a small cage in a large field since you will not be able to hide all of the risks posed by the environment around you.
To determine the size of the cage you need, you must first measure the dimensions of your field. Remember: your field has an end line and a goal line that delineate the playing area from the sidelines. From these markers, you will measure the width and the length to determine the size of your field. After you have measured your field, you can use the dimensions to determine the size of the cage you need to build.
Step 2: Cut The Nails That Hold The Drywall To The Ceiling
Once you have determined the size of the cage you need, you can move on to the next step which is to cut the nails that hold the drywall to the ceiling. Drywall is the material that forms most of the interior walls and ceilings of homes and commercial buildings. It is also used to fabricate decorative surfaces. To determine where to cut the nails that hold the drywall, you must look at the layout of your field and decide where you will place the various barriers that you will use to delineate the playing area. Where there is no ceiling, you can see how this would be really useful and also how the wires could be attached directly to the drywall to easily pull it down when needed.
Step 3: Attach The Ceiling To The Walls With Construction Paper And Lumber
The next step in building a field hockey goal cage is to attach the ceiling to the walls with construction paper and lumber. When you are done, you will have a ceiling that follows the contour of the walls and does not have any visible sections where there is an opening. You can either use drywall or cardboard in place of the ceiling and attach it to the walls with nails or screws. If you are using drywall, then it is best to go up one wall at a time so that you can easily reach all areas while ensuring the alignment and the smooth finish of the drywall.
Step 4: Cover The Floor With Plastic Sheeting
The next step in building a field hockey goal cage is to cover the floor with plastic sheeting. This is to provide a smooth, non-slip surface for game play. If you have a cement or asphalt surface for your floor, then you can simply use tape to mark out the area where the plastic sheeting will be attached. If you are using an uncoated surface such as wood or concrete, then you will need to apply an adhesive to the surface first to ensure adhesion when the plastic sheeting is applied. Remember: floors are indestructible and can be replaced if they become damaged during play. However, they are a pain to clean and can become slippery when wet so always ensure that the floor is fully dry before the game.
Step 5: Attach The Floor To The Walls With Lumber
The last step in building a field hockey goal cage is to attach the floor to the walls with lumber. When you are done, you will have a floor that follows the contour of the walls and does not have any visible sections where there is an opening or gap. The same as with the ceiling, you can either use drywall or cardboard in place of the floor and attach it to the walls with nails or screws. If you are using drywall, then it is best to go up one wall at a time so that you can easily reach all areas while ensuring the alignment and the smooth finish of the drywall.
If you are using cardboard, then you must make sure that it is cut to fit perfectly flush with the walls and has no wrinkles or creases otherwise it will peel away at the touch of a finger. Most commercial laundromats have these machines which are perfect for the home environment. If you do not have a washer and dryer at home, then you can take your clothes to a laundromat and get some of this equipment to do your laundry. Just make sure that you have the correct size for your outfit. If you have a big outfit, then you must go to a larger size. If you have a small one, then you must go to a smaller size. When everything is done, you can enjoy your new goal and be proud of how much safer it makes the game. You can also use the structure for storage if needed.
Remember: this is just one of the many ways in which you can build a field hockey goal cage. There are various other methods that you can use to make the structure more functional or stylish. If you have another tool or material that you think can improve this project, then feel free to use it because there is always room for improvement.