How to make football shoulder pads

Making football shoulder pads from scratch can be a complex and time-consuming task that requires specialized materials and tools. It’s essential to prioritize safety and consider professional equipment for players. However, if you are interested in creating a costume or prop shoulder pads for non-contact situations, you can make a simplified version using foam and basic supplies. Here’s a simplified way to make football-style shoulder pads:

Materials You’ll Need:

• Foam sheets (12-inch or thicker)
• Scissors or a utility knife
• Measuring tape
• Duct tape
• Elastic straps
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Marker or pen
• Ruler

Instructions:

1. Measure the Width of Your Shoulders:
   • Use a measuring tape to measure the width of your shoulders. This measurement will determine the size of your shoulder pads.
2. Cut the Foam Sheets:
   • Lay out the foam sheets and mark the shape of the shoulder pads using your shoulder width measurement as a guide.
   • Cut out two identical shapes for the shoulder pads. These will be the main body of the pads.
3. Shape the Foam:
   • Round the corners of each foam piece to create a more natural shoulder shape.
4. Create the Front and Back Segments:
   • Cut two smaller rectangular pieces of foam to serve as the front and back segments of each shoulder pad.
   • These segments should be the same width as the main body but shorter in height.
5. Assemble the Pads:
   • Place the front and back segments on top of the main body of each pad, positioning them about 14 of the way down from the top edge.
   • Secure the segments to the main body using duct tape. Make sure the pieces are firmly attached and provide enough curvature to fit over your shoulders.
6. Add Elastic Straps:
   • Cut two lengths of elastic strap long enough to go around your chest and back, from one shoulder pad to the other.
   • Attach one end of each strap to the front of one shoulder pad using hot glue. Leave the other ends unattached for now.
7. Test the Fit:
   • Put on the shoulder pads and adjust the straps to ensure a snug and comfortable fit. You can adjust the length of the straps as needed.
8. Attach the Back Ends of the Straps:
   • Once you’re satisfied with the fit, attach the loose ends of the elastic straps to the back of the opposite shoulder pad using hot glue.
9. Reinforce and Decorate:
   • Use additional duct tape to reinforce the attachment points of the straps and add extra security to the shoulder pads.
   • Decorate the shoulder pads with colored duct tape or paint if desired.
10. Allow to Dry:
    • Let the hot glue and any paint or decorations dry completely before wearing the shoulder pads.

Remember that these homemade shoulder pads are for costume or prop purposes and are not suitable for actual football or contact sports. For protective gear used in sports, always purchase certified and professionally manufactured equipment to ensure safety.