We are all waiting for sports to come back. Whether it's watching your kids as a parent, playing games as an athlete, or coaching kids as a youth sports coach - people everywhere miss the game.
As the sports shutdown continues, the youth sports community is finding more crafty and creative ways to bring sports into their home or backyard. While having a hockey net or a basketball hoop is a great advantage for athletes trying to stay game-ready, not everyone has access to sports or practice equipment.
Athletes, coaches, parents, and educators are using objects around the house or backyard to create ways to still practice or play. We have compiled some of our favorites that hopefully inspire you to get active and go play!
This volleyball player needs a patent, ASAP!
This creative volleyball player made a practice tool she could use with no partner, featuring a bucket, bungee cords, pool noodles, and duct tape. Her device has been a hit across social media with many users encouraging her and her family to get a patent!
This is incredible 🔥@bend_vb player created a practice tool using a basketball hoop, a bucket, and pool noodles. The creativity!
This is #SportsAtHome done right 💪
(h/t @bend_vb)pic.twitter.com/evTWxOCt78
— SportsEngine (@SportsEngine) April 24, 2020
Did you ever expect to try tennis with a frying pan?
This young athlete challenges you to use a kitchen pan to see how many times you can volley a tennis ball
At-home challenge: all you need is a tennis ball and a frying pan!
See how many you can do without letting the ball fall 🎾#SportsAtHome
(📽️ hurleytennis_17/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/RZCqBECENf
— SportsEngine (@SportsEngine) April 23, 2020
Use obstacles around the house to make practice more difficult
It's hard to challenge yourself without a coach and equipment, but use things you can find around the house to add obstacles to your drills
Deccan Gill, the hockey phenom diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, is continuing to show off his #HockeyAtHome skills! 🏒
No hockey obstacles at home? Use toys or other household objects!#SportsAtHome
(h/t @superdeccan/IG) pic.twitter.com/tBJfZQ9XPe
— SportsEngine (@SportsEngine) April 22, 2020
Volleyball hitters find a will and a way
This Northwestern University volleyball player and engineering major made an at-home hitting practice device with the help of her dad. The innovation from these athletes is incredible
Volleyball players are getting extremely crafty in quarantine! 🏐 👏
Check out this engineering major/ volleyball player who built this practice set-up with her dad #SportsAtHome
(via @NUVBall)pic.twitter.com/pXunCrj1dj
— SportsEngine (@SportsEngine) May 3, 2020
Who needs a ping pong table when you can create your own?
@MrHamiltonPE on twitter is a must-follow, he is consistently providing ways for families to use items around the house to create common games. Here, he provides many different items that can help you create your own ping pong table and game!
Who says you need a ping pong table to play? 🏓
Use a number of household items and a table to create your own ping pong game!@MrHamiltonPE shows some great ideas for objects to use ⬇️ it’s all about creativity! #SportsAtHome pic.twitter.com/CUtksFcFJ8
— SportsEngine (@SportsEngine) May 4, 2020
Make sure your household items are parent-approved
You will get a kick out of this youth softball player using her family cooler to help her practice her hitting accuracy. A great idea until her swing goes a little sideways...
When using household objects to practice #SoftballAtHome goes just a little bit wrong 😂🤫
#SportsAtHome
(🎥: ohanatigers14u_2006/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/YWJl75wwdr— SportsEngine (@SportsEngine) May 4, 2020
DIY Mini-Golf
We all miss the leisure and fun that comes with golf or mini-golf. If you don't have your own course at home, create one using things like cardboard and laundry baskets
DIY at home mini golf! If you don’t have all the putting materials at home, use things around the house like cardboard and laundry baskets to create different holes ⛳️
#SportsAtHome(via @MrHamiltonPE)
pic.twitter.com/UFZImgmbqy— SportsEngine (@SportsEngine) April 27, 2020
Turn household chores into practice
This young hockey player decided to give in and make his vacuuming chore into stick-handling practice
When you play so much #HockeyAtHome your parents start incorporating chores into it 🤣#SportsAtHome
(🎥@rocky.mtn.kids/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/vtK4dLIRcD
— SportsEngine (@SportsEngine) April 19, 2020
Air Hockey at home
Who doesn't love a good game of air hockey? While it's not considered a major sport, its fun to play with family and gets kid away from screens. Create your own hockey 'table' and game at home using things like towels and plates
Check out another awesome DIY at-home game from @MrHamiltonPE
Air Hockey using only bowls or plates, and rolled up towels for the side 🏒
Fun & easy for families! #SportsAtHome pic.twitter.com/pAt0QBtCPc
— SportsEngine (@SportsEngine) April 21, 2020
Trick shots
Everybody loves a good trick shot. This young golfer took one of his old race car tracks to practice some golf shots (thanks, mom, for saving the track!)
When keeping the old race car tracks comes in handy 🙌 check out this awesome indoor ⛳️ trick shot
#SportsAtHome
(submitted by @rockdouglasfun/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/uISVOEuY5Q— SportsEngine (@SportsEngine) April 12, 2020
Pool noodles + volleyball = success
This is the second video we've seen using pool noodles to help practice hitting for volleyball players and we love it!
Volleyball players may be the most creative when it comes to practicing in quarantine!
Check out this player who created her own hitting set-up in her house, no partner required 🏐#SportsAtHome
(🎥: @BellaBrownfield) pic.twitter.com/oCbc7AJEvp
— SportsEngine (@SportsEngine) May 6, 2020
No hockey net? No problem
#HockeyAtHome is a trending hashtag for those who play the sport. Many players don't have access to a net or even a stick at home. Check out this simple game of fly swatter hockey that's perfect for the whole family
Don’t have a net to practice #HockeyAtHome?@MrHamiltonPE presents: FLY SWATTER HOCKEY
Fun for the whole family and gets you moving 💪#SportsAtHome pic.twitter.com/nHB5vGTK7H
— SportsEngine (@SportsEngine) April 6, 2020
Do you have an at-home practice device, materials, or sports hack you've found works well at home? We'd love to see it! Post your videos using the hashtag #SportsAtHome and tag us for a chance to be featured! Or email [email protected]
