METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BASKETBALL DEFENSE TRAINING, FOOTBALL INTERCEPTION TRAINING, AND PHYSICAL THERAPY
This invention discloses a method and multiple batons intended for sports training and physical therapy. First and second embodiment batons are intended, primarily, as a basketball defensive drill training device. The first embodiment baton is intended, secondarily, as a football hand-coordination training device. The third embodiment baton is intended, primarily, as a football and rugby hand-coordination training device. The second embodiment baton is further intended for use as a hand-coordination or foot-coordination device for other sports using spherical balls, such as soccer and volleyball. Finally, any of the four disclosed batons, and primarily, the first embodiment baton, are further intended to be used by physical therapists in rehabilitation exercises where eye-hand coordination and peripheral vision improvements are targeted, such as is the case with stroke or accident patients.(133)
This application has a priority date of Nov. 4, 2011 based on the filing, by the same inventor, of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/409,975, titled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BASKETBALL DEFENSE TRAINING, FOOTBALL INTERCEPTION TRAINING, AND PHYSICAL THERAPY.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods and devices intended to improve hand-eye coordination and motor skills for ball-centered sports, as well as for physical therapy and, more particularly, to handheld devices which can be manipulated by a trainer or physical therapist so as to evoke a coordinated hand-eye response involving motor skills by a trainee or patient.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0116187 A1 discloses a hand-held flexible baton, for use as a tapotement device, having an external shell fabricated from a pliant material which covers an internal core fabricated from a soft batting material. The flexible baton's external shell provides a low impact force when struck against tissue such that no damage is inflicted to tissue, but a stinging sensation can be felt. The baton is intended for use as a training and disciplinary device for domestic animals, such as dogs, and children.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides four batons which may be used in combination with drills intended to improve hand-eye coordination for ball-centered sports. The first embodiment baton has a foam-filled cylindrical head, which can be used to simulate a ball for a number of sports. The second, embodiment baton has a foam-filled spherical head, the size of a regulation basketball, which is used to simulate a basketball for drills associated with that sport. The third embodiment baton has a foam-filled prolate spheroid head, shaped and sized like a regulation football, which is used to simulate a football for drills associated with that sport. The fourth embodiment baton has a foam-filled spherical head the size of a regulation baseball. By having a handle extending from the head, head speeds may be accelerated dramatically from that which would be possible if no handle were present, thereby enabling the approximation of a thrown ball with a mere flick of the wrist. In addition, the integration of the handle with the head provides structural rigidity to the head so that it can be moved rapidly without bending.
The invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawing figures. Although an attempt has been made to provide drawings that are to scale, it should be understood that the drawings are meant to be merely illustrative of the invention.
Four apparatuses are shown which may be used in combination with drills intended to improve hand-eye coordination for ball-centered sports. They may also be used by physical therapists to treat injuries which have impaired hand-eye coordination. The first, the fabrication of which is covered by
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The first and second embodiment batons 600 and 700, respectively, are designed primarily for use with drills associated with basketball. A number of representative drills, associated with basketball and depicted in
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Alternatively, this drill will be used by football players to improve defensive eye-hand coordination speed and also for improved catching of passes by offensive football players.
Finally, physical therapists will use this exercise to help improve peripheral visions and eye-hand coordination for patients recovering from strokes or accidents which have impaired a person's vision or motor skills.
Drill #2: Quick Hands—Double BatonReferring now to
Alternatively, this drill will be used by football players to improve defensive eye-hand coordination speed and for improved catching of passes by football offensive players.
Finally, physical therapists will use this exercise to help improve peripheral visions and eye-hand coordination for patients recovering from strokes or accidents which have impaired a person's vision or motor skills.
Drill #3: Defensive Stance—Steal Dribble in MotionReferring now to
The coach moves the baton into reach (approximately 18 inches or 0.46 meter in front of the player) as the player moves from side to side in the basketball defensive stance. As the coach puts the baton within reach of the player, the player quickly reaches and taps the tip of the baton, and then retracts his hands to his side. The coach will then retract the baton, and then quickly place the baton again within reach of the player. This is repeated three to four times during each eight foot side to side movement of the player while in the defensive stance.
The basketball player completes three sets of this exercise with each hand while shuffling eight feet side to side in the defensive stance motion and ending each sequence with drill #4 (Passing Lane—Block) shown below.
The basketball player then completes three more sets of this exercise with each hand while shuffling eight feet side to side in the defensive stance motion and ending each sequence with drill #5 (Passing Lane—Steal) shown below.
Finally, physical therapists will use this drill to help improve peripheral visions and eye-hand-foot coordination for patients recovering from strokes or accidents which have impaired a person's vision and motor skills.
Drill #4: Passing Lane—BlockReferring now to
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At the base of the “U” shaped motion, the basketball player quickly reaches out and taps the tip of the baton with his right hand as the baton moves from their left to their right. This exercise is completed ten times with the right hand.
The player first sets himself in a basketball defensive stance. The coach then swings the baton in a “U” shaped motion (from the player's right and to his left side) with the bottom of the “U” being about one foot from the floor and about 18 inches (roughly 0.46 meter) in front of the player.
At the base of the “U” shaped motion, the basketball player quickly reaches out and taps the tip of the baton with his left hand as the baton moves from his right to his left. This exercise is completed ten times with the left hand.
Drill #7: Shot Close-OutReferring now to
Drill #8: Shot Close-Out with Shot Block
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Additionally, after closing out on the shot, the player quickly reaches forward, and taps the end of the baton as if to block the shot. This exercise is completed 5-10 times.
Drill #9: Behind the Back—StealReferring now to
With the player standing behind the coach, the coach then puts the baton to his side and within the reach of the player. The baton is presented to the player just to the side of the coach's right knee. The player quickly reaches and taps the tip of the baton from behind the coach. The player taps the baton with his right hand without making contact with the coach.
The coach then moves the baton to various positions while the player repeats tapping the baton with his right hand and without making contact with the coach. First the player is presented the baton by the coach's right knee, waist, shoulder, and then immediately over the coach's head.
The sequence is then repeated with the coach presenting the baton by his left knee, waist, shoulder and then immediately over the coach's head, while the player taps the tip of the baton with his left hand.
The player completes three sets of this exercise with each hand.
Although only several embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Claims
1. A baton for use in combination with drills intended to improve hand-eye coordination for ball-centered sports, said baton comprising:
- a cylindrical handle having a hand grip;
- a resilient foam head secured to an end of said cylindrical handle; and
- a cover which encloses the foam head.
2. The baton of claim 1, wherein the foam of said foam head is preferably a resilient, low-density foam of closed-cell construction that is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene foam and ethylene vinyl acetate foam.
3. The baton of claim 1, wherein said foam head is cylindrically shaped and coaxial with the handle.
4. The baton of claim 2, which has a total weight of about 170 grams, thereby enabling the foam head to be accelerated to realistic play speeds with a flick of the wrist.
5. The baton of claim 1, wherein said foam head is spherically shaped.
6. The baton of claim 1, wherein said foam head is a prolate spheroid having the shape of a regulation-size football.
7. The baton of claim 3, wherein said foam head is of a length about equal to the diameter of a regulation-size basketball.
8. The baton of claim 5, wherein said foam head has a diameter about equal that of a regulation-size basketball.
9. The baton of claim 5, wherein said foam head has a diameter about equal that of a regulation-size baseball.
10. The baton of claim 5, wherein said foam head has a diameter about equal that of a regulation-size softball.
11. The baton of claim 1, wherein the handle extends from the foam head about 30 cm.
12. In combination with the baton of FIG. 1, a series of repetitive physical exercises wherein the baton is used to represent a basketball for the purpose of improving hand-eye coordination.
13. The combination of claim 12, wherein said series of repetitive physical exercises is used to improve reaction time and to teach and improve ball catching, stealing, and blocking skills.
14. The combination of claim 12, wherein the series of repetitive physical exercises are performed in a one-on-one interaction between a coach and a player, with the coach holding and moving at least one baton, and the player interacting with said at least one baton held by the coach.
15. The combination of claim 12, wherein the series of repetitive physical exercises are performed in a one-on-one interaction between a physical therapist and a recovering patient who has suffered neurological damage from a variety of causes, including strokes and accidents.
16. A series of repetitive physical exercises intended to improve hand-eye coordination of basketball players, said exercises being performed in a one-on-one interaction between a coach and a player, with the coach holding and moving a baton, a head of which simulates a basketball, said baton having:
- a cylindrical handle with a hand grip;
- a resilient foam head secured to an end of said cylindrical handle; and
- a cover which encloses the foam head.
17. The series of repetitive physical exercises of claim 16, wherein said foam head is cylindrical in shape, about 6 cm in diameter and about 24 cm in length.
18. The series of repetitive physical exercises of claim 17, wherein total weight of the baton is about 170 grams.
19. The series of physical exercises of claim 16, wherein said interaction between the coach and the player is used to improve reaction time.
20. The series of repetitive physical exercises of claim 16, wherein said interaction between the coach and the player is used to teach and improve ball catching, stealing, and blocking skills.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 4, 2011
Publication Date: May 10, 2012
Inventor: Bradford Charles Young (Mapleton, UT)
Application Number: 13/289,781
International Classification: A63B 69/00 (20060101);