Desktop Football

When approached with the task to build something that flies, we decided to push the boundaries. We wanted a game that people could sit down, at their desks, and enjoy a simple game. Therefore, we created desktop football, where a spring loaded launcher shoots a football into the uprights. The result is a fun mini game for you AND your friends to enjoy.

Wood, Glue, Netting, Spray Paint, Foam Football, Springs, Small Metal Ring

To begin designing our game, we CADed out our uprights and launcher system on TinkerCAD. Here are some renders of our CAD work:

To begin, design a base made out of wood. The main surface is 8x12 inches and effectively keeps the pieces of the game in one place. Then, glue a frame that rises 2 inches above the surface on the longer sides to give the game a border. To finish, we spray painted the base green and the borders light blue to give the game an orderly appearance.

Since the football is being launched, a taller backboard is needed to keep the ball within the game's boundaries. So, create a 3 part border that extends 12 inches upwards, and glue it to the base. We made this backdrop pink so that it would fit with our lighter color scheme and help the yellow field goal stand out.

Next, make the goalpost. It consists of 1x1 inch blocks, with the bottom, middle, and uprights being 3, 5.5, and 6 inches long respectively. Then glue them together, paint it yellow, and glue it to the backboard.

Since the game is football themed, the launcher functions as a kicker's leg would. The launcher consists of three separate parts. Part 1 is a small piece of wood with 5 pen springs glued to its side. Part 2 is another small piece of wood that is sanded to an angle. Part 3 is a wooden dowel that sits into a drilled hole in the base, which allows part 2 to pivot. To use the launcher, pull back Part 2 into the springs, and release it to swing towards the ball and send it through the uprights.

At this point, the backboard simply consists of the wall and uprights. To finish it, cut out the chunk of the wall immediately behind the uprights as shown in the picture. Then, attach the netting to the board so that it stops the ball when it goes through. The addition of the net not only adds to the aesthetic, but also cushions the ball's flight better than the wood.

Next, make football itself. To make the football, get a small piece of foam that is 1.5 inches long and sand it down to the shape of a football. To keep the football standing, use a small, metal ring to hold it in place before the launcher is released.

Finally, add an additional block of wood under the launcher to improve its consistency. We spray painted this piece as well to go with the green base. Install the launcher into the new platform.

You are ready to enjoy your creation! See the video attached to see the project making it fly!!!!