The purchase of football equipment such as helmets, shoulder pads and pants takes up a large portion of every youth football organization’s budget. For some communities, it leaves little cash for items like blocking sleds and shields, step-over bags and tackling dummies that coaches utilize during practice.

USA Football annually awards more than $1 million in equipment grants, but leagues and coaches who must stretch their dollars sometimes have to get creative.

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Here are five examples of such creativity:

1. Shopping carts

Photo via LearnVest.com

If you have a parent who's handy with tools, or perhaps an engineer by trade, you can try your hand at the homemade blocking sled. The photo at the top of this blog is of an actual piece of equipment used by Louisiana Youth Football in Baton Rouge. Coaches put items inside the cart to add weight for older players. More than 200 athletes would use the cart every week during practice. Make sure to smooth everything down and put safety first when setting it up.

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2. Pool noodles

Photo via Enjoy-Swimming.com

Step-over bags and tackling dummies are an expense some leagues can't afford. That’s where those long, soft foam tubes available at the dollar store come in. Tape a few of them together to create the gear you need. They're perfect for the Rip Drill.

3. Towels

Photo via 123RF.com

Footwork drills are a regular staple at every football practice. If you don’t have access to cones or pylons, bring some old towels or dish rags from home to lay out the drill. An added upside is players are less likely to twist an ankle if they step on them, thus they're also less likely to look down during the drill. Towels also make great props when teaching young athletes how to turn tight corners.

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4. Trash cans

Photo via WareCountyGators.net

An oldie but a goodie. An upside-down trash can is a simple tool to hold the spot for anyone on the field, and the tall ones turned upside down provide clear targets for young athletes to see. They also offer a long-range target for quarterbacks to test their accuracy.

5. Fire hose

Photo via Evilleeye.com

Fire hoses are long and built to lay flat when not filled with water – perfect for step-over drills and ladder drills. These aren’t as cheap as some of the other ideas on this list, but you could pick up one from a sheriff or fire department auction, or solicit a donation from a local business.

This is an updated version of a blog that originally published Sept. 16, 2014.