Quick answer
To contain pucks while training at home, put something behind your net to catch what you miss. Your options, from smallest to biggest coverage: a shooting tarp (a padded sheet that hangs on a wall or garage door and absorbs shots), a backstop net (a large mesh curtain that stops and drops pucks), and a good hockey net with a backstop or shooter tutor to keep on-target shots in. For a garage, a tarp on the door plus a net is usually enough. For a wider shooting area, a backstop net gives the most coverage. Whatever you choose, protect the wall, the car, and the windows first — then you can shoot freely and actually train.
Key takeaways
- Contain pucks so you can shoot at full effort without damage or chasing.
- A shooting tarp absorbs shots on a wall or garage door — great for garages.
- A backstop net is a large curtain that stops and drops missed pucks.
- A net with a backstop keeps on-target shots from bouncing away.
- Match coverage to how wide and hard you shoot, and protect what's behind.
- Containment isn't optional — it's what lets you train without stopping.
Why containment is the first thing to solve
The biggest thing that kills home shooting practice isn't motivation — it's chasing pucks and worrying about damage. If every third shot means walking to fetch a puck or you're afraid of denting the garage door, you shoot less and softer. Containment fixes that: catch the misses, protect the surroundings, and you can rip shots at game intent and rack up real volume. Solve this first and the rest of your home setup — pad, net, targets — actually gets used.
The options, compared
| Option | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Shooting tarp | Padded sheet absorbs shots on a wall/door | Garages, protecting a wall or door |
| Backstop net | Large mesh curtain stops and drops pucks | Wide areas, most coverage |
| Net + backstop | Keeps on-target shots from bouncing out | Everyone — the base of a setup |
| Shooter tutor | Covers the net, leaves corner targets | Accuracy while containing on-target shots |
Coach Toms's tip: Map your miss pattern before you buy. Take 20 shots and notice where the misses actually go — high, wide left, wide right. Most players spray wider and higher than they think, especially when tired. Size your containment to the real spread with a margin, not to where you hit when you're fresh and focused.
Shooting tarp: protect the wall or garage door
A shooting tarp is a heavy padded sheet you hang on a wall or garage door. It absorbs the impact of shots so the surface behind stays safe, and many roll or fold up when you're done. For a garage setup, a tarp over the door is often the single most useful containment piece — it turns the whole door into a safe backstop. Larger sizes like the 7'×16' tarp cover a wider shooting lane.
Backstop net: maximum coverage
A backstop net is a large mesh curtain that hangs behind your shooting area. Pucks hit it and drop straight down instead of flying off, so it covers a much wider zone than a tarp — ideal for a driveway, a wide garage, or anywhere your shots spread out. It's the most coverage per setup and pairs well with a net in front for on-target shots.
The net itself: keep on-target shots in
A solid full-size steel net with a heavy back keeps the shots you do hit from bouncing back out. Add a shooter tutor over the net to train accuracy while still containing on-target shots — you aim at the open corners and the tutor stops the rest. Together, a net (for on-target) plus a tarp or backstop (for misses) is a complete containment system.
Coach Toms's tip: Layer it: net in front for the shots you hit, tarp or backstop behind for the ones you miss. One piece alone always leaves a gap — a net doesn't catch wide shots, and a tarp doesn't hold a heavy net. The layered setup is what lets you finally shoot at full effort without a single interruption.
How to choose: quick path
- Shooting in a garage? Tarp on the door + a net. Covers most setups.
- Wide area or big spread? Add a backstop net for maximum coverage.
- Want accuracy too? Put a shooter tutor over the net.
- Protecting something valuable behind? Over-size the containment with a margin.
- Tight budget? Start with a tarp — it solves the most common damage risk.
Common mistakes
- No containment at all. You shoot soft and chase pucks. Fix: solve this before anything else.
- Sizing to your best shots. Misses go wider than you think. Fix: size to the real spread.
- Only a net, no backstop. Wide misses fly off. Fix: add a tarp or backstop for misses.
- Only a tarp, no net. On-target shots bounce back hard. Fix: add a net in front.
- Ignoring what's behind. Windows and cars are at risk. Fix: protect valuables with margin.
- Flimsy hanging. A tarp that falls mid-session stops practice. Fix: mount it securely.
FAQ
How do I stop pucks from damaging my garage?
Hang a padded shooting tarp over the wall or garage door to absorb shots, and shoot into a net so on-target pucks are caught. For wider coverage, add a backstop net behind the shooting area. Together they let you shoot hard without denting anything.
What's the difference between a tarp and a backstop net?
A tarp is a padded sheet that absorbs shots against a wall or door — great for protecting a surface in a garage. A backstop net is a large mesh curtain that stops pucks and drops them straight down, covering a much wider area. Many players use both.
Do I need a backstop if I have a net?
A net only catches shots that are on target. Wide or high misses will fly past it, so a tarp or backstop behind your shooting area catches those. Layering a net in front with a backstop behind is the complete solution.
What's the best containment for a garage?
A shooting tarp over the garage door plus a net is usually enough. The tarp turns the door into a safe backstop, and the net catches on-target shots. If your garage is wide or your shots spread, add a backstop net.
Can I train accuracy while containing pucks?
Yes — put a shooter tutor over the net. It covers the net and leaves open corner targets, so you aim at the corners for accuracy while the tutor stops everything else. Combine it with a tarp behind for the misses.
How much space behind the net do I need?
Enough for your containment to hang freely and for pucks to drop without bouncing back into you. A tarp needs a little standoff from the wall; a backstop net needs room to swing. Leave a margin sized to your widest, highest misses.
Summary
Containment is what lets you actually train at home: layer a net in front for on-target shots with a shooting tarp or backstop net behind for misses, and add a shooter tutor if you want accuracy too. Size it to your real miss pattern, protect what's behind, and you can finally shoot at full effort. Then build the shot itself with our accuracy training and shooting games.
