Choose the Right Size Mat for Max Rebounds
When searching for a lacrosse rebounder replacement mat, the size matters. You’ll want a mat that fits your rebounder frame properly. A mat that’s too small will lead to balls flying off at odd angles while an oversized mat can cause sagging. For most residential 3×4 foot rebounders, a 2.5 x 3.5 foot mat is ideal. Be sure to measure your rebounder frame before purchasing. Having a properly fitted mat ensures consistent, realistic rebounds.
Prioritize Durability in Mat Materials
The material of your rebounder mat impacts durability. Outdoor rebounder mats need to withstand sun, rain, and snow. Look for materials like polyester or vinyl coated polyester for weather resistance. Indoor mats can utilize materials like nylon or ballistic grade mesh. No matter where you practice, the mat should be made of heavyweight material that won’t tear easily from lacrosse ball impacts. The more durable the mat, the longer it will last.
Improve Hand-Eye Coordination
One of the biggest benefits of a rebounder net is developing hand-eye coordination. With a quality mat, you’ll get consistent rebounds in the pocket to catch or intercept. This type of repetitive practice trains reaction time and focus. As your hands and eyes better coordinate, your on-field performance improves whether catching tough passes or picking off errant throws.
Keep Skills Sharp Year-Round
Another advantage of rebounder mats is keeping your skills sharp in the off-season. With an indoor rebounder, you can practice shooting, passing, and cradling no matter the weather. Spending just 15 minutes a day rebounding a ball improves muscle memory so you’re not starting from scratch each season. Maintaining your skills out of season gives you an edge.
Extend Your Rebounder’s Life
One of the best ways to get more years out of your lacrosse rebounder is replacing the mat. As the original mat wears out, erratic rebounds can damage the frame. Putting in a fresh high-quality mat restores rebound accuracy. It’s a lot cheaper to replace just the mat than buy a whole new rebounder when the mat fails. Investing in a new mat now saves you money in the long run.
Top Features to Prioritize in Rebounder Mats
With so many rebounder mat options on the market, it can be tricky determining which features really impact performance. Here are some of the top qualities to look for when selecting a replacement lacrosse rebounder mat:
Consistency – The mat should provide even, predictable rebounds regardless of where the ball hits. Inconsistent rebounds make honing skills tough.
Durability – Look for heavyweight vinyl, polyester, or ballistic grade materials that can withstand years of lacrosse ball impacts without tearing.
Weather Resistance – Outdoor mats need UV and water resistance so they don’t degrade over time when exposed to sun and rain.
Rebound Control – Quality mats allow you to adjust rebound speed and angle by tightening or loosening the mat tension.
Quick Attachment – Mats that easily attach with hook & loop enclosures, grommets, or bungee cords save installation time.
Abrasion Resistance – Mats with reinforced high-wear areas prevent premature fraying from scooping and passing drills.
Backing – Look for rubber or dot grip backing to reduce mat slippage and keep it taut on the frame.
Fit – Be sure to get a mat sized correctly for your rebounder frame for optimal rebounds.
By keeping these performance factors in mind when shopping, you’ll find the perfect rebounder mat to elevate your skills.
Brine Lax Wall Options for Rebounder Mats
One of the top lacrosse rebounder brands for home use is Brine with their Lax Wall line. Brine offers Lax Wall rebounders in a variety of sizes from a compact 3×3 model up to a pro-level 5×10 version.
For most residential lacrosse players, the 3×4 foot size is ideal. This provides enough rebound space for shooting, passing, and stick work drills. The Brine Lax Wall 3×4 works with standard 2.5 x 3.5 foot replacement mats.
Brine uses a weather-resistant powder coated steel frame on their Lax Wall rebounders. This ensures the frame won’t rust or degrade when used outdoors. The 3×4 model folds down for easy storage when not in use.
While Brine includes their Quad Wall mat with new rebounder purchases, upgrading to a higher quality replacement mat improves rebound speed, angle, and consistency. Popular mat options include the Replay Rebounder Mat and the EZGoal Lacrosse Mat.
No matter which mat you choose, proper installation is key. Be sure to attach the mat securely using the grommets in the corners. Keeping the mat taut improves rebound performance and extends the mat’s lifespan.
For lacrosse players looking for an affordable rebounder, Brine’s Lax Wall paired with a quality replacement mat is a great option to take your skills to the next level.
Finding the Optimal Rebounder Mat Size
When replacing your lacrosse rebounder mat, taking exact measurements is crucial. You’ll want a mat that fits the frame properly without excess overhang.
For most residential rebounders in the 3×4 to 4×4 foot range, a mat around 2.5 x 3.5 feet is ideal. This allows for a little bit of mat tensioning while covering the frame. Oversized mats can lead to sagging areas with reduced rebounds.
Be sure to check the manufacturer’s specifications for your rebounder model. Some brands make frames with precise mat dimensions in mind. You also want to account for any mat stretching that occurs over time.
When in doubt, go slightly smaller rather than larger on mat size. It’s easy to add tension to a smaller mat for drum-like rebound response. Oversized mats are trickier to tighten evenly across the frame.
Take time to carefully measure the inner length and width of your rebounder frame. Refer to mat size charts and don’t assume a new mat will be the same dimensions as the original. Getting the right fit ensures optimal performance and extends the mat’s lifespan.
With the right sized rebounder mat, you can hone your lacrosse skills no matter the weather. Take measurements first so you can upgrade your mat with confidence.
Heavy Duty Materials For Durable Mats
The material used to construct a lacrosse rebounder mat directly impacts its durability. You want a mat made from heavyweight fabrics that can withstand the constant pummeling from lacrosse balls.
For outdoor rebounders, look for mats made from vinyl coated polyester. The thick 18oz vinyl coating provides waterproofing while the polyester gives strength. This combination stands up well to UV rays and moisture.
Indoor rebounder mats can utilize more breathable fabrics like ballistic grade mesh or nylon. These allow air circulation while still providing abrasion resistance. Some mats feature reinforced high-wear areas for even greater longevity.
No matter which material you choose, look for tightly woven, heavyweight fabrics. Densely woven mats prevent premature fraying or tearing in high impact zones. Heavier fabrics also retain their shape better over time.
Consider mats with reinforced edging for added tear resistance. Features like rubberized backing help reduce slippage on the rebounder frame.
While no lacrosse mat lasts forever, choosing rugged, durable materials extends its usable life. Investing in qualitymaterials now pays off with years of consistent rebounds.
Sharpen Hand-Eye Coordination with Quality Mats
One of the biggest benefits of a lacrosse rebounder is developing hand-eye coordination. And having the right rebounder mat optimizes this skill-building.
With a high quality mat, you’ll get consistent rebounds right into your stick’s pocket. This allows you to work on snagging passes cleanly or intercepting throws quickly.
The key is getting predictable rebounds from all over the mat. Wherever the ball hits, it should return at the same speed and angle each time. This repetition trains your hands and eyes to work in sync.
Upgrading an old, worn mat restores rebound consistency. New mats with uniform drum-like tension prevent dead spots or erratic bounces.
As your hand-eye coordination improves through daily rebounder sessions, you’ll notice the difference in games. Tough passes are caught automatically. Quick stick checks become second nature.
Having the right mat provides the quality repetitions to refine this vital lacrosse skill. Take your game to the next level with a rebounder and mat designed for consistency.
Maintain Skills During the Off-Season
One of the hardest parts of lacrosse is staying sharp during the off-season. Skills can deteriorate quickly without regular practice. A quality rebounder and mat prevents this.
With an indoor rebounder setup, you can hone shooting, passing, cradling etc. year-round. Fitting in just 10-15 minutes per day provides the repetitions needed to keep muscle memory intact.
Playing wall ball lacks the unpredictability of an angled rebounder mat. Varying rebound speeds and angles keep you reacting quickly with your stick.
Consistent off-season training gives you an edge over the competition come spring. While they shake off rust, your stick skills, coordination, and instincts stay game-ready.
Investing in a durable rebounder and mat now pays dividends when the season starts. Don’t lose all your hard-earned skills during the lacrosse off-season.
With a quality rebounder mat setup, you can outwork everyone during the off-months and gain a competitive advantage.
Rebounder Mat Options for 3×4 Frames
For lacrosse players with typical residential 3×4 foot rebounder frames, you’ll want to choose a replacement mat around 2.5 x 3.5 feet.
This provides enough mat overhang for proper tensioning while maximizing the rebound sweet spot area. Some popular mats for this size include:
- EZGoal Lacrosse Rebounder Mat – Made from UV treated vinyl coated polyester for outdoor use. Features reinforced edges and grommets.
- Brine Training Rebounder Mat – Quad-wall construction with weather resistant materials. Fits 3×4 frames.
- Replay Lacrosse Mat – Crafted from commercial grade 18oz vinyl for superior durability. Quick attach bungee system.
- Rukket Rebounder Mat – Heavy duty interlocking panels allow you to replace high wear sections as needed.
- Amazon Basics Rebounder Mat – Budget friendly option made of weather resistant polyester.
Be sure to check exact sizing as mat dimensions can vary. Getting the right fit improves rebound consistency while reducing wear and tear.
Mat Options for Different Brand Rebounders
While most brands design their lacrosse rebounder frames to work with standard mat sizes, it’s important to verify compatibility.
For Brine Lax Wall rebounders, the Brine Quad Wall mat is a perfect OEM fit. Other brands that work include the EZGoal and Replay mats. Just confirm the mat dimensions are around 2.5 x 3.5 feet.
For Rukket rebounders, Rukket’s proprietary interlocking mat panels ensure an ideal fit. But mats from Champion and EZGoal are also compatible with Rukket’s 3×4 and 4×4 frames.
With Harrow lacrosse rebounders, Harrow’s mesh mat is the ideal choice for a seamless fit and smooth rebounds. The Replay mat also installs nicely if you want more durable vinyl materials.
SKLZ, PowerBilt, and AmazonBasics rebounders utilize standard mat sizing so you have lots of cross-brand options. Just focus on selecting a durable material and verifying mat dimensions.
No matter which brand rebounder you choose, measuring the frame and finding a properly sized, high quality mat is key for optimum performance.
Extending Your Rebounder’s Lifespan
A quality lacrosse rebounder represents a significant investment. Proper care and maintenance is key to getting the most out of your purchase.
One of the best ways to extend the life of your rebounder is replacing the mat periodically. As the original mat wears out, inconsistent rebounds can damage the frame by causing balls to ricochet wildly.
Simply installing a new mat restores rebound accuracy and control. Well-tensioned mats absorb ball impacts rather than transferring force to the rebounder.
It’s much cheaper to replace just the mat than buy a whole new rebounder when the mat fails. Look for mats with reinforced edging and abrasion-resistant fabrics for maximum durability.
Keep your frame protected from the elements and store indoors when not in use. And be sure to keep mat tension adjusted for optimal rebound consistency.
Take care of your rebounder and mat, and it will deliver years of high-quality skill sharpening.
Installing Your Rebounder Mat
Putting in a new lacrosse rebounder mat takes a bit of time and patience. But a proper installation ensures optimal performance.
Start by removing the old mat if you’re replacing it. Make sure the frame is clean before attaching the new mat.
Lay the mat centered over the frame and use the grommets or attachment loops to secure it. Bungee cords, carabiners, hooks or straps can all be used depending on the design.
Gradually tighten the mat working side to side and top to bottom. You want a uniform drum-like tension across the entire mat surface. Overlap openings and slide excess material under the frame edges.
Use a lacrosse ball to test rebounds in different areas and adjust tension as needed. It will take some trial and error to dial in the right tautness.
Check mat attachment points regularly during use and retighten if sagging develops. Proper installation takes a bit of work but delivers consistent rebounds for honing your skills.
Caring for Your Rebounder Mat
To maximize the lifespan of your lacrosse rebounder mat, proper care and maintenance is essential.
Inspect the mat before and after each use for signs of wear. Look for fraying edges, holes, or loose attachment points and address any issues promptly.
Outdoor mats need regular cleaning to prevent a buildup of dirt, debris, and mildew. Use a hose, mild soap and a soft brush to gently scrub the mat clean.
Avoid harsh cleaners or chemicals that could degrade vinyl, nylon or polyester mat materials. Let the mat air dry fully before installing again.
Check tension frequently and tighten uniformly when sagging spots develop. Proper tension reduces mat flutter and deadens ball impact.
When not is use, take the mat off the frame and store indoors to maximize longevity. With regular care, a quality mat should provide years of consistent ball rebounds.
Where to Buy Quality Rebounder Mats
While lacrosse rebounder mats were once hard to find, there are now many great online retailers carrying a wide selection.
For brand name mats, check manufacturer websites like Brine, Rukket, and SKLZ. They typically sell replacement mats for their rebounders directly.
Amazon is another top source, with a huge range of mat options from top brands. Mats are often Prime eligible for fast free shipping too.
Sporting goods stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sports Unlimited, and Lacrosse Unlimited also carry rebounder mats in stock or via online orders.
There are also specialty online lacrosse retailers like Lax.com, UniversalLacrosse, and LacrosseMonkey with large mat selections. Take time to compare materials, sizes, and pricing.
No matter where you buy from, be sure to measure your frame first and confirm mat dimensions for a perfect fit. With so many retailers now, finding the right rebounder mat is easier than ever.
Using Rebounder Mats for Solo and Team Practice
One of the great things about lacrosse rebounder mats is their versatility for skill training.
For solo practice, a quality mat allows you to sharpen shooting, passing, cradling, and reaction time. Varying rebound speeds and angles mimics catching tough passes or defending dodges.
Rebounders are also fantastic for team drills. Work on situational passing like feeds from behind the net or skips cross-field. Or use the mat for 2v2 and 3v3 possession and scoring drills.
For goalies, rebounders are invaluable for readying reactions on unpredictable bounces. Rapid shot repetition improves reflexes and outlet passing precision.
On defense, take turns picking off errant catches and transitioning up-field. The random rebounds improve real game reactions.
No matter your position or skill level, a lacrosse rebounder with quality mat speeds development. Get the reps in your game needs with consistent bounces.
Upgrade Your Gear, Upgrade Your Game
As you improve as a lacrosse player, an essential part of progressing is upgrading your gear. And few investments pay off more than a quality rebounder and mat.
With a high-performing rebounder setup, you can get the extra reps anytime needed to level up skills. Taking your training into your own hands accelerates development.
On the field, you’ll notice improvements in hands, reaction time, coordination, and instincts. A rebounder builds critical muscle memory so skills become second nature.
Rebounder mats maximize the benefits. Proper sizing, durable fabrics, and uniform tension enable consistent bounces from all over to hone skills.
Don’t settle for lackluster rebounds from a worn-out mat. Take control over your progress and invest in the gear that unlocks your full potential.
Step up your training, sharpen your game, and reach new heights with the rebounder setup you need to dominate.