Abstract: A realistic, graphic, sport-related instruction board is provided which includes a board structure made of transparent, durable material having a planar top surface and a planar bottom surface. Disposed inside the board structure is a display panel which has at least one realistic, graphic, sport-related surface printed thereon. In an alternative embodiment, the display panel has two realistic, graphic, sport-related surfaces printed on opposite surfaces. A writing instrument containing dry-erasable ink is removably attached to the top or bottom surface of the writing board. By disposing the display panel inside the transparent board structure, viewers can see the display panel's realistic graphic surfaces when viewing the board structure. Coaches can write directly on the surface of the board structure directly over selected areas sport-related surface to instruct players how to play the sport.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the assessment and biofeedback training of coordination skills of a subject critical to maximizing the power and accuracy of athletic ball-strike activities. In preferred embodiments, the invention provides for assessment and biofeedback training of weight bearing and center of gravity control under conditions requiring the athlete to strike a ball such that the distance and direction of flight trajectory of the ball are accurate relative to a performance goal. One embodiment of the invention includes a body movement sensor, a ball strike sensor, a display, and a computer. The body movement sensor provides an output indicative of the motion of the subject's body over a period of time including the moment of ball strike. The computer causes the display to show both a trajectory of the motion of the subject's body and the moment of ball strike in relation to a region of the trajectory.

Abstract: A system for training an athlete in kicking and dribbling a soccer ball employs a flexible cord that defines a dribble path along the playing surface. The flexible cord is maintained at a predetermined height above the playing surface by a plurality of stanchions arranged in spaced relation, which may be in the form of hollow cones similar to those employed in traffic control. The stanchions may be hollow, and access provided to the interior thereof, for depositing a weighting material, such as sand or water, to improve the stability of the training system during a training session. In accordance with a method aspect, a predetermined dribble path is defined by the flexible cord which is maintained at the predetermined height above the playing surface, sufficient to permit the soccer ball to be dribbled thereunder by the plurality of stanchions. The athlete jumps over the flexible element to gain control over the ball.

Abstract: The portable coaching device includes a thin, rigid support board having opposed sides and a perimeter. One side is covered with a white coating capable of being written upon with a dry erase marker and the other side bears an image of an area in which a game is played. This image is protected by a material which is capable of being written upon with a dry erase marker. There is handle in the form of an elongated opening near the perimeter of the board, and a case adapted to hold a dry erase marker attached to the board.

Abstract: An athletic training device comprising a base, an upright supported by the base, and a planar training shape simulative of a human athlete, including head, torso, arms and legs, mounted on said upright. The vertical height of the training shape is adjustable, and the arms articulate at the elbows and shoulders so that the position of the arms is adjustable. The training shape will remain at a predetermined height with the arms in a predetermined posture, so that the training device will represent an opponent at the precise posture and position for which the ball handler seeks to develop the countermove. Once the simulated opponent is countered at a first position and height, the height of the opponent can be raised in the same way that a track and field high jumper will raise the bar once he comfortably clears a given height.

Abstract: Disclosed is a force reaction and resetting mechanism utilized in contact sports training. The device has a rigid support member, a reaction/resetting mechanism, comprised of a compression element fixed between supports and held on the periphery of said supports by flexible restraints, a rigid anchoring member and a resilient cover.

Abstract: A football having an end appendage comprising at least one long, narrow strip of a flexible sheet material, e.g., cloth of flexible plastic, which functions as a tail when the ball is thrown or kicked and which provides directional stability for the football while in flight. When multiple strips are used which are formed of a rigidly flexible sheet such as MYLAR, the appendage also functions as a sound generator. When the football is thrown in a normal manner, the tail extends backwards, providing a slight drag to cause the back tip of the ball to align itself with the front rip, thereby resulting in the straight and accurate flight of the ball. One end of the appendage is preferably detachably/attached to an end of the football by interlocking hook and loop material, commonly known as VELCRO.

Abstract: A portable game board structure is arranged to provide for coaches and the like to illustrate various plays and examples relative to a game playing situation. The game board includes a rigid perimeter having a central opening, with one of a plurality of game boards mounted to the perimeter centrally oriented relative to the opening. Clip structure mounted relative to the opening is arranged to selectively secure the game boards thereto, with magnetic tokens utilized to indicate opposing teams in illustrative strategy play. The tokens, as well as a white writing instrument, are magnetically adhered to a perimeter frame portion of the game board apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for training athletes to improve their ability to concentrate on, track, and handle or catch a ball in motion with at least one central elongated body, a plurality of barrier arms for each elongated body with the barrier arms extending outward from and being arrayed along the central elongated body, and a mounting system for each central elongated body that is attached to and holds each central elongated body upright in substantially vertical position without the use of external supports. Barrier arms are made of flexible material. A method for training athletes and improving their ability to concentrate on, track, and handle or catch a ball in motion is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a football having an end appendage which is a long, narrow flexible sheet material, e.g., cloth or flexible vinyl, which functions as a tail when the ball is thrown or kicked and which provides directional stability for the football while in flight. When the football is thrown in a normal manner, the tail extends backwards, providing a slight drag to cause the back tip of the ball to align itself with the front tip, thereby resulting in the straight and accurate flight of the ball. The appendage can be fixedly or removably attached to the football, and for this purpose, can be attached with attachment tabs formed of hook and loop materials, commonly known as VELCRO.

Abstract: An athletic training timer (10) including a selectable time-delay timer (11), a selectable signal duration timer (12), buzzer (14), a power supply (16) for powering the circuit and a remote foot switch (15) which is adapted to be activated by an athlete initiating play.

Abstract: A silhouette dummy of generally human form, particularly for the training of football players has a substantially rigid base element supporting a flexible structure formed from plastic tubular material, and spikes designed to stick into the ground.

Abstract: A game board comprising a support of fiber web and of thin plates of polystyrene glued thereon at a distance from each other. A field marking corresponding to the field of the game to be analyzed is printed on the plates. Player figures of a laminate of an adhesive foil and a non-rigid PVC foil can be attached to the board. The figures stick by adhesion. In this form the board can be easily folded to a manageable size.

Abstract: This relates to a method and apparatus for testing and enhancing a football player's ability to quickly react to visual stimuli. When the player leaves a starting position, first and second timers begin counting. When the player reaches a first reaction point, the first counter is stopped thus containing an indication of how long it took for the player to reach the first reaction point. Simultaneously therewith, one of a battery of lights is energized indicating to the athlete that he must undertake and complete a particular action. This action may represent a cut right or cut left or may require the athlete to throw a ball at a particular target. The second timer is stopped when all the required actions have been completed thus giving an indication of how long it took the player to run the entire course.

Abstract: Offensive football formations at the beginning of plays can be accurately drawn on paper by the use of a unitary flat template having an array of apertures therein representative of all usual offensive players in their correct positions. By using a writing instrument in selected apertures, various offensive formations can be drawn with eleven players properly positioned to start offensive plays. Upon removal of the stencil from the paper, the execution of plays to completion can be conveniently diagramed. The device is ideal for use in the construction of team playbooks.

Abstract: An educational game for facilitating the teaching of the recognition of musical symbols by elementary school pupils comprises an instruction chart representing football players and musical symbols and presenting similarities between player position names and the names of the musical notes. The game is played on a board representing a football field and movable pieces are attached to the board to indicate team positions. Flashcards showing the musical symbols on one side and the names of the symbols on the other are used to secure pupil recognition of the symbols and to position the team piece favorably upon correct recognition by the pupil.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially observing player positions in predetermined game plays includes a player position matrix in the form of a playing field including a plurality of L.E.D. indicators for designating various player and ball positions. A memory includes a plurality of play sequences each comprising a plurality of player positions. A keyboard control enables selection of one of the play sequences so that the changing positions of the players and ball will be visibly and sequentially imposed on the matrix through the memory to visibly display the progressive development of a play to its conclusion. The method comprises actuating the keyboard control to select one of the play sequences and to visibly and sequentially display the changing positions of the players and ball on the playing field matrix.