How to Make a Homemade Tackling Sled

Tackling sleds can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. To increase power and tackling ability, football players should practice proper technique with a sled. Whether you're a coach looking for an alternative to costly manufactured sleds or a player looking to improve his skills at home, you can use a few pieces of lumber and a few tools to construct a tackling sled of your own. Recruit a few friends to help with this project.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 8-foot 4 by 4s
  • 2 4-foot 4 by 4s
  • 3 4-foot 2 by 2s
  • 2 5-foot 2 by 2 wooden planks
  • Electric hand saw
  • Drill
  • Wood screws
  • Foam
  • Duct tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mark off an approximately 8-inch rectangle at the end of each beam with a pencil, and then draw a diagonal line going from left to right through the rectangle. Cut through the diagonal line with the electric saw. This will leave you with a trianglular-shaped bottom and make it easier for the sled to slide along the grass without catching.

    • 2

      Lay the 8-foot 4 by 4s parallel to each other. Place the two 4-foot 4 by 4s between the 8-foot beams, one at the top and the other halfway down.

    • 3

      Connect the beams by drilling two wooden screws at each juncture.

    • 4

      Stand one of the 4-foot 2 by 2s up and screw it in to the top right corner of the 6-foot 4 by 4. Measure halfway across the 6-foot beam and screw another 4-foot beam into it. Do the same at the top left corner with the remaining 4-foot beam.

    • 5

      Wrap five layers of foam around each of the 4-foot tall beams so they're covered completely. Wrap tape twice around between each layer. As an extra precaution, tape a square of foam to the top of the beams so they're not exposed.