Protective Basement Wall Padding for Safe Soccer and Hockey Practice

Your basement can serve many purposes, from creating a home gym to building a family room or a guest bedroom. But when you have kids who love sports, your basement can serve as an ideal space to practice soccer and hockey, no matter the weather. Basements offer the space needed to practice shooting, passing, and more, giving kids the chance to develop and polish their skills. But to do this safely, you’ll need to install basement wall padding.

Why Basement Wall Padding Is Essential for Soccer and Hockey Practice

When kids are practicing soccer and hockey in a basement, basement wall pads are essential. Wall padding can help protect kids in case of a collision while practicing or playing. Additionally, many basements feature panels or poles which kids could collide with. Basement pole padding can help absorb shock, soften impacts, and help prevent injuries.


Padding is an important preventative measure that can contribute to athlete safety.

Basement Wall Padding Features to Look For

If you’re considering converting your basement into a practice space for your kids, then it’s important to choose the right type of padding for basement use. Considering the following features can help you tell which padded walls for basement spaces are best for your needs.

Padding Thickness

The thickness of the padding affects how much impact it’s able to absorb. Thinner mats, starting at about one inch thick, absorb less impact than mats that are two inches thick. Pads for columns and poles, which could sustain high-speed impacts, are often four inches thick for maximum shock absorption.

Material Quality

Look for wall pads crafted from quality materials. Many of the pads that we sell here at Greatmats feature quality foam designed not only for shock absorption but also for durability. That foam is wrapped in a quality vinyl covering, and many of our pads have anti-mildew, anti-fungus, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties.

Installation Type

Consider how the pad is designed to be installed. Some pads can be mounted to the walls with grommets, and some feature an attachment lip that makes for an easy permanent installation. Column and pole pads typically feature a hook and loop closure that allows you to easily install and remove them as needed.

In addition to basement wall padding and pole or column panels, it’s a good idea to invest in quality flooring that gives kids traction and support but that is also forgiving in case of falls. We carry an excellent selection of home gym flooring options that can help enhance the safety of the space.

For an example of a home basement that’s been converted into a soccer practice space, see how Bella Douglas’ family transformed their basement to help her train for soccer.

The Best Types of Basement Wall Padding

At Greatmats, we carry several types of quality basement wall padding ideal for soccer and hockey practice.

Discount Gym Mats

The Discount Gym Mats are an economical choice for your basement practice space. These mats measure 1 ⅜ inches thick and feature a cushioned PE foam core for shock absorption. The lead-free vinyl cover is safe for kids’ spaces and resists ripping. The mat also features double-stitched seams for durability. You can easily connect multiple mats together with the hook and loop strips to line larger walls.

Safety Wall Pad

Measuring 2 inches thick, the Safety Wall Pad offers excellent shock absorption for athletes. It features anti-mildew, anti-fungus, antimicrobial, and antibacterial protection, and it features a Class A PVC vinyl for durability. The pad features 60% recycled material, making it an environmentally friendly choice, and it comes equipped with an attachment lip along the top and bottom, so you can screw the mat into a basement wall.

Safety Pole Pad

The Safety Pole Pad is an excellent choice for the support poles in your basement. Available in 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-inch foam thicknesses, the pad offers valuable protection from impact. It contains at least 60% recycled materials and measures six feet tall, providing plenty of coverage. The pad is available in many colors and features hook and loop tape that makes for a simple installation.

Protective Wall Padding and Mats

In addition to the options highlighted above, Greatmats carries numerous protective wall padding and mat options. These pads are available in many custom sizes and styles, so you can order pads that are designed specifically for use in your basement.

Reasons to Buy Basement Wall Padding at Greatmats

When you shop at Greatmats, you’ll buy quality products that can help maximize your basement's safety for soccer and hockey practice. Contact our customer service team today with any questions or to place a custom order. We’re happy to help you decide which products are best for your needs, and can also provide shipping quotes, additional product information, and more.