If you enjoy spending time at the sporting arenas, then why not take that love further and create your own personal hockey arena at home? You can do so with almost any tool already in your own garage with just a few hours of work. This article will give you the step-by-step instructions on how to make your own hockey shooting pad that will allow you to practice your puck handling, slap shot, and wrist shot anytime you want at home.
Table of Contents
The Need For A Puck House
Every serious hockey player knows that a puck is the most important part of any game. Whether you play recreationally or professionally, getting the hang of juggling, handling, and shooting the puck takes some of the mystery out of the game. You can also practice your defensive play with a stationary puck so you don’t have to worry about keeping track of it while you’re trying to maneuver around the other team’s players.
Step One: Build A Frame
The first thing you will need to do is build a frame for your hockey shooting pad. This is an important step because without a sturdy frame, your pad will not be able to withstand heavy use and may eventually collapse. You can use any type of wood you can get your hands on—pine, fir, oak, or mahogany—and with a few hours of work, you can have a relatively stable platform that will give you a sense of satisfaction and keep your kids from stepping on it during playtime.
Step Two: Cut The Tinfoil
Once you have your frame, it’s time to move on to the next step. You will need to cut the tinfoil to fit inside your frame. Tinfoil is perfect for creating a sound-deadening environment inside your hockey pad and preventing any electronic sounds—such as those made by game controllers, vibrating mobile phones, or other electrical devices—from being picked up by the other players or spectators. When cutting the foil, make sure the edges are as smooth as possible so there are no exposed nails or other rough spots that could cause the pad to jam or create a dangerous situation should it fall during play.
Step Three: Assemble The Electrical Equipment
The next step is to assemble all of the electrical equipment for your hockey pad. You will need an electricity supply (either from the grid yourself or a portable generator) along with a few thousand watts of electrical power to run the various appliances. Additionally, you will need surge protectors, cable ties, and heavy duty wiring to protect your equipment from damage during gameplay. Remember to unplug all appliances and equipment before starting work so as not to overload the circuit breaker or cause damage to your home due to excess current draw.
Step Four: Install The Laminate Panels
The last step is to install the laminate panels inside your hockey pad. Laminate panels can vary in thickness from ¼ inch to 1 inch and are generally available in 7.5-foot or 10-foot lengths. As with the tinfoil, cutting the panels to fit your frame is fairly easy and can be done by simply using a reciprocating saw or handsaw. Additionally, you will need some time to plan out the positioning of the panels so they are aligned evenly and do not cover up any electrical outlets or fixtures inside your home. You will also need to cut some extra material from the ends of each panel so they don’t slide around too much inside your frame when attached with springs and nails.
With a little bit of DIY know-how and some of the most common household items, you can easily set up a functional, safe, and cost-efficient hockey shooting pad at home. Whether you play professionally or recreationally, the satisfaction of knowing you’re creating something useful and unique is enough motivation to get the job done.