By Abigail Gannaban · Last updated November 3, 2026
A team needs one ball rebounder for every three or four players it wants working on the net at the same time. If the rebounder is one station in a rotation, one unit is enough. If you want the whole roster on rebound nets during a skills block, divide your roster by four and round up. A 16-player lacrosse team that runs a 12-minute wall ball block needs four units for every player to get three minutes of reps; with one unit, each player gets 45 seconds.
Why does the number of rebounders matter for practice?
The number matters because players waiting in line aren't getting reps. USA Hockey built its American Development Model around this: break the roster into small groups at stations so more players are active at once. In one USA Hockey report, a program leader said kids got three times as many touches in station practices as in traditional ones (USA Hockey). A ball rebounder is a station that runs without a coach or a partner feeding balls, so each one you add puts another small group to work.
How do you calculate how many you need?
Start with how you'll use the ball rebounders, then do the math. There are two common setups:
Setup A: Rebounder as one station in a rotation. You split the team into groups that rotate through stations (say, rebounder, shooting, footwork, small-sided game). Only one group uses the rebounder at a time, so you need one unit per rebounder station. Most teams start here.
Setup B: Everyone on rebounders at once. For a wall ball, passing or fielding block, every player works on a net. Units needed = roster ÷ players per unit, rounded up. With 3-4 players per unit, everyone gets a turn every few reps.
What does the math look like by roster size?
Here's Setup B with four players per unit and a 12-minute block. Minutes per player = 12 ÷ players per unit.
| Roster | Units at 4 players each | Minutes per player with that many units | Minutes per player with 1 unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 12 ÷ 4 = 3 | 12 ÷ 4 = 3 min | 12 ÷ 12 = 1 min |
| 16 | 16 ÷ 4 = 4 | 3 min | 12 ÷ 16 = 0.75 min (45 sec) |
| 20 | 20 ÷ 4 = 5 | 3 min | 12 ÷ 20 = 0.6 min (36 sec) |
| 24 | 24 ÷ 4 = 6 | 3 min | 12 ÷ 24 = 0.5 min (30 sec) |
The pattern is simple: with enough units, minutes per player stay the same no matter how big the roster gets. With one unit, they shrink as the roster grows. Most coaches land in between: two or three units, plus other stations so nobody's standing still. That's our position for most high school and club teams. Two units run as stations cover a rotation well, and a third unlocks a full-roster block for a 12-player group.
Does net size change the count?
Net size changes how a group uses each unit, not the basic count. A bigger net gives a bigger target, so younger players miss less and spend more time on reps instead of chasing balls. The Varsity Multi Sport Ball Rebounder has a 5' x 5' net (25 sq ft); the Premier XL (PXL) Multi Sport Ball Rebounder has 5' x 7' (35 sq ft); and the Elite XL (EXL) Multi Sport Ball Rebounder has 7' x 9' (63 sq ft). We still plan on one group of 3-4 players per unit regardless of size. All Ball Pro makes steel-frame, multi-sport ball rebounders for lacrosse, soccer, baseball, softball and basketball, so units bought for one team can serve others on the same campus.
Which mix fits a team buying several?
For most teams buying more than one, matching units keep stations equal, so the Varsity is the usual choice. Programs with a home field sometimes pair a Premier XL or Elite XL for goalkeepers or catchers with Varsity units for everyone else.
| Team | Suggested start | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Youth team, 10-14 players | 1-2 Stinger X or Varsity | One station in a rotation; second unit for split groups |
| High school or club team, 16-24 players | 2-3 Varsity | Two rotation stations or a full block for part of the roster |
| Program with a goalie or catcher group | Varsity units + 1 Premier XL or Elite XL | Bigger net for the position group |
For the buying process itself (budget approval, specs, delivery), see our guide on choosing a ball rebounder for a school, club or training facility. For programs that want branded units, see custom rebounders for school and college programs.
FAQ
Is one rebounder enough for a whole team? Yes, if you use it as one station in a rotation or as a warm-up. It's not enough if you want everyone on rebound nets at the same time.
How many players can use one ball rebounder at a time? Plan on one player throwing or passing at a time, with 3-4 players rotating per unit so turns come quickly.
Should we buy all the same size? Usually yes, so stations are equal and any group can use any unit. Add a larger net only for a position group that needs it.
How do I justify more than one to an AD or booster club? Show the station math: minutes per player with one unit versus several, for your roster and your drill block.
Count the players you want working at once, divide by four, and you have your number. Request a team quote for multiple units.