Shattered windows, dented garage doors, scuffed siding; these are the universal symbols of a wannabe hockey player’s dedication and their parents’ stress. The sound of a well-struck puck is music to a coach’s ears, but it can sound like property repairs to a homeowner.
But what if you could practice at home and protect your home all at once? Hockey shooting tarp is a game-changing piece of equipment that transforms your driveway or basement from a high-risk zone into a professional-grade training facility. In this article, we will discuss the benefits and tips of installing a hockey shooting tarp.
What is a Hockey Shooting Tarp
A hockey shooting tarp is a durable, heavy-duty vinyl or mesh used for hockey practice at home. It is designed to protect walls and garage doors while allowing players to work on shooting accuracy with real pucks. It has built-in targets to simulate scoring areas and collect pucks for easy retrieval.
These tarps can be hung in garages, basements, or outdoors and come in various sizes. They are large and cover an area for a full-size goal and protect from damage caused by hard shots.
Types of Tarps
Standard Tarps: These are simple, heavy vinyl or canvas sheets that hang behind a goal or against a wall, primarily to stop pucks and protect surfaces like drywall, with minimal scoring feedback.
Roll-up Tarps: They are more advanced, often remote-controlled or hand-cranked systems, which roll up and out of the way when not in use. These are great for use over a garage door opening.
Target Tarps: These have specific, secure holes or sections designed for accuracy training, sometimes with removable inserts or electronic sensors.
Installation Tips
- Location: It can be installed in a garage, basement, or outdoor training area.
- Distance from Wall: It is recommended to leave about 12 to 18 inches of space between the tarp and the wall behind it. This allows the material to absorb the puck’s force.
- Hanging: Tarps usually have grommets along the top edge. You can hang them using bungees, ropes, or chains attached to a sturdy frame or ceiling joists.
- Bottom Weight: A pocket along the bottom hem can be used to insert a weighted chain to keep the tarp taut and reduce sway.
- Complementary Gear: For a complete home training setup, consider adding a shooting pad to simulate the feel of the ice surface and protect the floor or driveway.
Benefits of Installing Hockey Tarp
- Property Protection: The primary function is to absorb the impact of real hockey pucks, protecting garage doors, basement walls, or windows from damage.
- Skill Development: Tarps feature specific target holes that mimic scoring areas in a real game. Regularly aiming for these spots helps players refine their precision.
- Convenient Practice: They offer a versatile off-ice training solution, allowing for practice anytime, in a garage, basement, or backyard.
- Puck Collection: Most tarps are designed to collect pucks at the bottom for easy retrieval, so players spend less time chasing errant shots.
Durability: Made from heavy-duty, reinforced, and often UV-coated vinyl material, they are built to withstand thousands of shots from players of all skill levels.
