How to Make a Wood Football Sled

At first pass, a wood football sled might sound like something a child would use to fly down an icy slope in the dead of winter. In reality, a wood football sled is a conditioning tool used by athletes -- specifically football players -- to train for gameplay. Sleds can be weighted for a customized workout, and used to build strength in a player’s torso, arms and legs. In training, he attempts to sprint while pushing the weighted sled in front of him, or pulling it behind him. Even if you are not a football player, you can use a wood football sled to give yourself an intense workout.

Things You'll Need

  • 6, 6-foot-long 2-by-4 hardwood boards
  • Jigsaw
  • Hammer
  • Size D nails
  • Power drill
  • 2 eyehook fasteners
  • Free weights
  • Rubber harness
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a jigsaw or hand saw to cut six 6-foot-long 2-by-4 hardwood planks into 12 even 3-foot-long segments. Cut 45-degree angles into the end of two of the segments, so the ends angle up from the ground and are not flat.

    • 2

      Position three 2-by-4 segments on top of the two angled boards. Use a hammer and size D nails to connect the three segments to the two angled boards. Position the three board segments so they are 2 inches in from either end of the top of the angled boards. Hammer the nails through the top of the three segments and into the angled boards.

    • 3

      Hammer another segment on top of the bottom segment farthest away from the angled boards.

    • 4

      Cut two of the 3-foot-long 2-by-4 segments in half again, so you have four pieces 1 1/2-foot long. Lay two of the short pieces on a flat surface. Set a 3-foot-long 2-by-4 board on top of them horizontally. Line up the ends. Hammer two size D wood nails into the ends of the 3-foot piece, to connect it to the 1-1/2-foot long pieces.

    • 5

      Lay the unit on a flat surface with the short legs facing up and the 3-foot board facing down. Place another 3-foot board up against the front edge of the unit, so it lines up with the edges of the short legs and the long edge of the 3-foot board. Attach the board with four more size D wood nails, hammering two into either end.

    • 6

      Stand up the T-shaped unit you constructed. Set the short legs on top of the non-angled ends of the platform you built earlier. Connect the T-shaped unit to the platform by hammering four size D nails through the legs and into the 3-foot boards comprising the platform.

    • 7

      Cut the ends of the remaining two 1-1/2-foot long boards into 45-degree angles. Place the boards against the sides of the sled diagonally. Hammer one into either side of the sled with one end connected to the T-shaped push bar, and the other end connected to the base of the platform.

    • 8

      Drill two pilot holes into the side of the platform closest to the angled bottom legs of the sled. Thread an eyehook fastener into each hole. Use the fasteners to connect a rubber harness to the sled when you want to build leg strength by dragging it behind you.

    • 9

      Hammer the last two remaining 3-foot boards together to form a 4-inch-wide block. Place the block in the middle of the sled platform. Turn the sled over to expose its bottom. Hammer four size D nails through the bottom of the sled into the 4-inch post to secure it to the sled. Slide free weight discs onto the post, when desired, to add weight to the sled to increase the difficulty of pushing it across the ground, or pulling it behind you with the harness strapped around your waist.