How to Make a Homemade Elbow Guard

Elbow guards are essential for protecting the fragile joint connecting your upper and lower arm in sports like basketball, hockey, lacrosse or skateboarding. Buying elbow pads is simple enough -- but it means spending extra money you may not have. Making a homemade elbow guard is a straightforward process and takes little time to accomplish.

Things You'll Need

  • Elbow brace sleeve
  • Hot glue
  • Hot glue gun
  • Neoprene or silicone rubber
  • Marker
  • Exacto knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find a pair of old spandex elbow brace sleeves. Ask a friend or family member for old braces if possible. Select a size that is slightly larger than one the wearer would normally use. If you would normally purchase a small, for example, find a brace sized at least medium.

    • 2

      Position your left elbow and triceps onto a piece of 1/4-inch thick of neoprene or silicone rubber. Lay your forearm down naturally. Trace the outline of your elbow -- on both sides -- beginning from the base of your triceps to the upper portion of your forearm. Ask someone to trace for you if it proves too difficult. Repeat for the right elbow. Both neoprene or silicone rubber is flexible and weather resistant.

    • 3

      Cut the rubber padding along the trace marks. Make sure the padding measures the length of each elbow brace -- and no more.

    • 4

      Spread glue on the back of the left piece of rubber padding and gingerly place it inside one elbow brace. Align the padding with each end of the brace. Press the rubber padding -- glue side face down -- on the inside of the brace. Hold for 30 seconds until the glue dries. Repeat for the right brace.

    • 5

      Pull your elbow guards on -- one at a time -- and slowly flex your elbows several times to stretch and adjust the padding as necessary.