How to Make a Soccer Ball Rebounder

Have you ever been at the soccer fields and wanted to practice passing, but had no one to kick it back to you? Or wanted to practice crosses, but didn't have anyone to cross it back? That is why I made a soccer ball Rebounder. When I am at the fields by myself, I always want to practice kicking and passing, but I never have anyone to practice with. I built this rebounder to take care of those problems for me and for you if you make it. Now I can practice more soccer skills on my own and you can too. I can always be getting better at those skills without always having someone with me by using my rebounder and now so can you by making this rebounder.

1. 1/2 sheet of 1/2 inch plywood
2. 12 small screws
3. 2 Gate Hinges
4. Latch

Optional supplies

1. Paint
2. Paint roller
3. Paint Brush
4. Paint Tray

Tools

1. Circular/Skill Saw
2. Framing Square, or Chalk line
3. Drill
4. Tape Measure
5. Sandpaper

First, measure the plywood and cut it in half. You can do this yourself with a saw, or you can get a Home Depot employee to cut it for you. Once you have cut the plywood in half, take one of the cut pieces and cut it from corner to corner. Next, take 2 triangle pieces and measure 23 inches on each piece. Draw a straight line using your square and cut along the line you made.

Sand all sides of your wood so they are nice and smooth and have no sharp edges. Also do a quick sand on all sides of the board.

Measure 1-3 inches from the side of the board depending on how big your latch is. Draw a straight line down side of the from you measurement and place your latch so that the circular part is flush with the line. Screw the hinge on to the board. Next take the one of the other boards and line it up with the bottom and top and screw it onto the hinge. Make sure that you don't have the boards sitting right on each other but lifted up a little bit so your hinge will open and close smoothly. I did this by placing 2 loonies under each side of the board you are screwing onto the hinge. Pro tip: If there is any part of your screw sticking out the board use a hammer to break off the bottom of the screw so it doesn't pop your ball.

First to make the handle measure a box in the center of the top of your rebounder as wide as your hand. Next take a drill and drill 2 holes at either side of your handle. Next take your saw and place in between your two holes and cut a line from one hole two the other. Do the same thing again to get a handle. Sand the handles so it is nice and smooth. Screw on the latch to the two supporting legs and make sure they slide cleanly off each other and don't get stuck.

Painting is optional it is not needed to make the rebounder but it can prolong how long the rebounder is used and it can make it look better depending on what paint you use. Pour paint into your tray and use the roller to paint. Paint all sides of the rebounder and make sure that you don't leave any blank spots. Once your paint has dried you can do another coat. If there is any spots that you can't reach with the roller you can use the paint brush to cover those spots.

While I was making the rebounder I learned many things including how to use a skill saw and best ways to paint wood. Some tips for you is when you are cutting your wood use the saw and put the line onto the second step and making sure that the saw is always completely on the board. Also put the line that you are cutting off off your table so it doesn't cut it. If you chose to paint your rebounder a tip is to paint in the direction that the grain of the wood is. I hope after making my rebounder you can also get better at all of your soccer skills even when you don't have a friend with you.