Soccer training device
Novel soccer training devices are disclosed herein, the device comprising a tether secured to a stationary member (e.g. stake) and a bail enclosure for carrying a soccer ball. The tether is secured to a swivel that allows a soccer player to practice more effectively his kicking and throwing skills
The present invention is directed to novel soccer training devices, in particular devices that can attach to a soccer ball to enable a player to practice his or her kicking and throwing skills.
In certain embodiments, the inventive soccer training device comprises a ball enclosure, such as a bag, for example, configured to carry and maintain therein a soccer ball. The ball enclosure further includes a cord for securing the ball therein. The device further includes a stationary member, such as a stake, and a tether having first and second ends for securing the ball enclosure to the stationary member, the first end of the tether being secured to the stationary member. The tether further has a length defining a distance between the stationary member and the ball enclosure when the tether is secured to the stationary member and the ball enclosure. Secured to the tether is a swivel. The swivel comprises a tether connecting element secured to the second end of the tether and a cord connecting element secured to the cord of the ball enclosure. The inventive training device is designed such that when the soccer ball is placed within the ball enclosure, a player may more effectively practice placing spins on the ball as he throws the ball (i.e. practicing his “English”) via the swivel mechanism. The incorporation of the swivel mechanism also allows a player to practice “bending” the ball or placing other spins on the ball when kicking. The swivel component of the inventive training device allows the player to practice in this way more effectively because the swivel, which is designed to rotate 360 degrees, prevents the tether from twisting about itself and inhibiting the spin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Referring now to
The swivel 30 comprises two components that may rotate about one another 360 degrees in the direction of the arrow A (both clockwise and counterclockwise). As shown, the tether connecting component 31 is secured to one end 42 of the tether, and the cord connecting element 32 is secured to the cord 12 of the ball enclosure 80. Any swivel design known by those of ordinary skill in the art may be employed in the current invention, provided the swivel has the aforementioned connecting elements or similar elements that can be secured to both the tether 40 and the cord 12. In the swivel 30 shown in the figures (see e.g.
As discussed above, and illustrated in the figures, the second end 42 of the tether is connected to the tether-connecting element 31 of the swivel while the first end 43 is secured to a stationary member, such as a stake 70 as illustrated. The first end 43 of the tether may be secured directly to the stake (not shown), such as by tying or lassoing about the stake. Alternatively, the first end 43 of the tether may be secured to a second swivel 35, as shown. Here, the first end 43 of the tether is secured to a tether connecting element 36, which in turn is rotatably secured to a clip 51. As shown, the clip 51 and tether connecting element 36 may rotate 360 degrees about the swivel post 37. Alternatively, the first end 43 of the tether may be secured directly to the clip 51, with the clip, in turn, being attached directly to the stationary member (not shown) or to a ring 60 extending perpendicularly from the stake 70, as shown.
The stationary member is preferably a stake 70, as shown in the figures, having a piercing member 71 configured to penetrate the underlying ground G. Alternately, the stationary member can be a heavy weight with enough mass to prevent the weight from moving when the device is in use. For indoor use, the stationary member may include one or more suction cups that may be attached to the floor (not shown).
As discussed above, the cord connecting element 32 of the swivel 30 is secured to the cord 12 of the ball enclosure 80 (
In use, the inventive soccer training device 10 is secured to the ground via the stationary member 70. For outside play, a stake 70 is preferably used and driven into the ground G (see
Other aspects of the present invention include a means for temporarily adjusting the length of the tether prior to use. As used herein with reference to the tether component of the present invention, “length” means the distance between the first and second ends 43, 42 of the tether 40. Preferably, a tether having a maximum length of about 45 feet is employed, although longer or shorter tethers may be used as desired. One means for adjusting the length of the tether is shown more clearly in
Claims
1. A soccer training device comprising:
- a. a ball enclosure configured to carry and maintain therein a soccer ball, said ball enclosure further having a cord extending therefrom;
- b. a stationary member;
- c. a tether having first and second ends for securing said ball enclosure to said stationary member, said first end of said tether secured to said stationary member, said tether further having a length; and
- d. a swivel, said swivel comprising a tether connecting element secured to said second end of said tether and a cord connecting element secured to said cord of said ball enclosure.
2. The soccer training device of claim 1, wherein said ball enclosure is a bag having a top edge and a drawstring engaging tunnel formed about the top edge, and wherein said cord is a drawstring engaged within said tunnel.
3. The soccer training device of claim 2, further including a locking element positioned between said swivel and said ball enclosure, wherein said cord is threaded through said locking element, such that when said locking element is disengaged, said locking element may be moved toward said ball enclosure and substantially flush therewith to secure said ball therein.
4. The soccer training device of claim 1, further including a locking element secured to said tether and oriented between said swivel and said first end of said tether, said locking element comprising a barrel having a transverse channel extending through each side of said barrel, and wherein said tether is threaded through the channel of said barrel such that a portion of said tether is looped around one side of the barrel, when said locking element is disengaged to allow movement of said tether therein, said portion of said tether may be lengthened to form a loop, such that the larger said loop, the shorter said distance is created, and the smaller said loop, the longer said distance is created.
5. The soccer training device of claim 4, wherein said locking element includes a spring-biased element movably engaged with said barrel, said spring biased element having a longitudinal member extending distally therefrom, said longitudinal member having a transverse channel communicating therethrough and through which said tether is threaded, wherein said spring-biased channel is in registration with said barrel channel when said spring-biased element is depressed, and wherein when said spring biased portion is released, said channels are offset, thereby maintaining said tether therein to prevent said tether from moving within said locking element.
6. The soccer training device of claim 1, further including a means for adjusting said distance between said ball enclosure and said stationary member.
7. The soccer training device of claim 1, wherein said first end of said tether is secured to a clip, said clip configured to engage said stationary member.
8. The soccer training device of claim 7, wherein said stationary member includes a tether engaging member extending from said stationary member, said tether engaging member comprising a ring to which said clip may be engaged.
9. The soccer training device of claim 1, wherein said first end of said tether is secured to said stationary member via a second swivel, said second swivel having a stationary member connecting element and a tether connecting element secured to said first end of said tether.
10. The soccer training device of claim 9, wherein said stake connecting element of said second swivel is a clip for engaging said stationary member.
11. The soccer training device of claim 1, wherein said cord is at least about 6 inches in length.
12. The soccer training device of claim 11, wherein said cord is from about 6 inches to about 14 inches in length.
13. A soccer training device comprising:
- a. a cord having a first end configured for attachment to a soccer ball;
- b. a tether having a first end configured for attachment to said stationary member; and
- c. a swivel, said swivel comprising a tether connecting element secured to said second end of said tether and a cord connecting element secured to a second end of said cord.
14. The soccer training device of claim 13, wherein said stationary member is a stake, said stake having a distal piercing end configured to be driven into an underlying ground area, said stake further having a proximal end extending above ground when said stake is driven into said ground, whereby said first end of said tether is secured to a portion of said proximal end.
15. A soccer training device comprising:
- a. a cord having a first end configured for attachment to a ball enclosure designed to carry and maintain therein said soccer ball;
- b. a tether having a first end configured for attachment to said stationary member and a second end; and
- c. a swivel, said swivel comprising a tether connecting element secured to said second end of said tether and a cord connecting element secured to a second end of said cord.
16. The soccer training device of claim 15, further including a ball enclosure secured to said cord.
17. The soccer training device of claim 15, wherein said stationary member is a stake, said stake having a distal piercing end configured to be driven into an underlying ground area, said stake further having a proximal end extending above ground when said stake is driven into said ground, whereby said first end of said tether is secured to a portion of said proximal end.
18. A method for adjusting the distance between said ball enclosure and said stationary member of the soccer training device described in claim 1, wherein said distance is less than the maximum length of said tether, said method comprising:
- a. moving said tether through said locking device to form said loop about said locking device; and
- b. securing said loop to said stationary member.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 18, 2004
Publication Date: Dec 22, 2005
Inventor: Michael Beatty (Ft. Myers, FL)
Application Number: 10/871,936