Abstract: A device which aids the training of football carriers, specifically backfield players, in the desired ball carrying and retaining posture, comprising a belt worn around the waist of the player, an attached cradle or flap hanging from the belt, and a football supported by the cradle or flap, which in combination assist in teaching a player to assume a crouching posture when running while carrying the football towards opposing players, and to protect the football from opposing players in a pocket formed by the player's arms. The training aid also encourages the player to hold the shoulders squared in a horizontal orientation, to form and maintain the protective pocket for the football in the most effective manner.

Abstract: A device which aids the training of football carriers, specifically backfield players, in the desired ball carrying and retaining posture, comprising a belt worn around the waist of the player, an attached cradle or flap hanging from the belt, and a football supported by the cradle or flap, which in combination assist in teaching a player to assume a crouching posture when running while carrying the football towards opposing players, and to protect the football from opposing players in a pocket formed by the player's arms. The training aid also encourages the player to hold the shoulders squared in a horizontal orientation, to form and maintain the protective pocket for the football in the most effective manner.

Abstract: A football center training aid comprises a box-like training device in the form of a framework, covered on its top and sides with open-mesh netting, which provides a guide to encourage accurate passing of a football by a center to a place-kick holder or quarterback, and which allows observation by a coach or trainer of the passing action of the center. The device encourages the preferred distance and alignment of the center in relation to the place-kick holder or quarterback. The device is readily portable, and may optionally be adjustable in both height and length to adapt the dimensions to players of differing ages, sizes, and to differing training objectives. The device allows the complete actions of passing the football by a center and catching by a place-kick holder or quarterback, and complete observation of the action, so that a complete and realistic assessment of the effectiveness of the passing action may be made by the coach or trainer, and corrective actions immediately taken and assessed.

Abstract: A device which aids the training of football pass receivers, in the desired ball catching and retaining posture, comprising a belt worn around the midsection of the player, attached cables or straps fastened to the belt, and supporting means attached to the cable or strap. The training device is designed for use by backfield players and ends, to aid in their training to remain inbounds when catching a thrown or kicked football, rather than touching or running beyond the sideline mark. The belt, cable or strap and support provided by the coach or trainer, or by a fixed support, allows the pass receiver to learn and practice leaning beyond the sideline marker while catching a thrown or kicked football, while remaining inbounds.

Abstract: A football center training aid comprises a box-like training device in the form of a framework, covered on its top and sides with open-mesh netting, which provides a guide to encourage accurate passing of a football by a center to a place-kick holder or quarterback, and which allows observation by a coach or trainer of the passing action of the center. The device encourages the preferred distance and alignment of the center in relation to the place-kick holder or quarterback. The device is readily portable, and may optionally be adjustable in both height and length to adapt the dimensions to players of differing ages, sizes, and to differing training objectives. The device allows the complete actions of passing the football by a center and catching by a place-kick holder or quarterback, and complete observation of the action, so that a complete and realistic assessment of the effectiveness of the passing action may be made by the coach or trainer, and corrective actions immediately taken and assessed.

Abstract: A portable football and soccer kicking training aid which holds and kicks a football or soccer ball in a trajectory, and with a force, simulating a ball kicked by a trained player. The training device is used by coaches in controlled practice sessions, to train and evaluate defensive and offensive lines and backs, and other players, in their response to kicked balls. The device provides repeated, reproducible kicked balls without requiring trained kickers to perform these routine functions or exposing them to injury. Optional, replaceable kicking shoes and other components provide alternate trajectories and forces. The device is readily portable and does not require fuel or connection to a power source.

Abstract: A football instructional device comprises a plurality of blocking/tackling practice devices with a net releasably spanning the devices. Each device comprises a circular base having a truncated cone extending therefrom. The cone presents a dummy for delivering impact forces thereon. At the top of each dummy is a telescopic rod assembly with clamp thereon for adjusting the height of the net above the ground. The configuration of each device with and/or without the net forces the player to stay in a low position while practicing blocking/tackling techniques. The dummy/net combination can also define a course for players to perform muscle strengthening techniques such as "crabbing," "duckwalking" or other exercises requiring the player to move in a low position underneath the net-like ceiling.

Abstract: A football training aid comprises a modified football having a lacing with Velcro.RTM. loop elements therein. The football is grasped by a user wearing a glove having Velcro.RTM. hook elements only at the fingertips thereof. The restriction of the Velcro.RTM. elements to the football lacing and the fingertips of the glove urges the user to grasp the football only at the laces so as to impart a proper spin thereto upon subsequent throwing.