Poor Man's Slam Ball

Shopping List:

• sturdy, but inexpensive basketball (regular size for 15-22 lb., junior size for less than 15 lb.)
• fine grit silica sand (30)
• radial tire repair kit with rasp/spike, plug strips, and inserting needle
• large radial patches and rubber cement
• large-mouthed funnel (i.e.: from homebrew equipment store)
• large (70cc) syringe or small funnel to narrow down insert tip

Instructions:

• Check the basketball for leaks, especially if purchased used from garage sale or Goodwill.  Then, insert an inflation pin into the ball valve. This will allow airflow out of the ball when you pour the sand in.

• Puncture the ball with the rasp/spike from the radial tire repair kit.  Stab the ball all the way through, and then rasp in and out a couple of times.  You'll want your hole somewhat near the valve so it stays clear of sand as you're filling-maybe in the next black line over from the valve.  Your hole shouldn't be too large, as you are creating a weak spot in your ball.  Just large enough for the tip of your small funnel or syringe to fit into.  I would cut your small funnel or syringe tip at an angle to make it easier to push into the hole.  A flat or blunt end may create an even larger hole.

• Insert smallest tip into hole, then thread large mouthed funnel into the smaller funnel/syringe.  The large-mouthed funnel allows you to pour in a larger portion of sand and leave it to sift into the ball for awhile, without having to monitor it so closely.  Fill large funnel with silica sand and ensure it is flowing into the ball through your filling system. 

• Keep re-filling large funnel with sand into the ball and weigh occasionally until ball is filled to desired weight.

• Push a piece of the sticky brown radial tire repair string into the hole with the inserting needle.  Push the needle all the way through then pull it back out until a small tip of the string is sticking out of the ball.  Pull the sticky string off the insertion needle and press the revealed tip of string around the hole to ensure it fills and covers the hole completely.  Remove inflation pin from ball valve.

• Squeeze out some rubber cement, leaving a shallow pool of it around the plug, and just a light shmear on the surface of the ball in a diameter slightly larger than that of the radial patch.  Allow the cement to dry completely.

• Apply radial patch to dried cement over the plug, pressing firmly and ensuring all air bubbles are out and edges are well secured to ball surface.

• Allow patch and cement to cure for 24 hrs. before use. 

• Air up the ball if needed in order to keep the ball round.  If too much air has to be applied, the ball will bounce too much, making the slam ball too easy to use properly.  I don't recommend making a slam ball less than 15 lb. if using a regular sized basketball.  Get smaller balls for less weight.  I haven't heard of anyone making a heavier ball than 22 lb. with a regular sized basketball.

• Get slamming!

*side note:  I used Shoe Goo on previously constructed balls, as instructed by other CrossFitter's, but found that with use the Shoe Goo eventually peeled off and away from the hole.  So far, the radial patches have worked better.  They seem to be more pliable and the edges secure to the surface of the ball better.  That's my personal experience.  Please give me feedback on our comments section of this blog.  Updates and other's experience with this construction are welcome and appreciated!

2 other CrossFitter's Instructions:
Pierre Auge of CrossFit Mobile
Jim Biancolo of Lean & Hungry Fitness

Comments

[Stephan Marcella]

Thanks for posting this info. I read about it on the message boards, but you provided better instructs and photos than the previous ones I have seen.