Abstract: An assembly of a ground anchor embedded within an artificial surface playing field is disclosed. The field has an artificial surface layer extending in a taut, level and smooth manner over an uppermost subsurface layer. A ground anchor body is embedded in the uppermost subsurface layer such that an upper wall of the ground anchor body engages an underside of the artificial surface layer. The upper wall of the ground anchor is fastened to the underside of the artificial surface layer with mechanical fasteners, an adhesive, or the like. An anchor member is connected to the ground anchor body and is extendable to a position in which the anchor member extends from the ground anchor body through a slit in the artificial surface layer to a position above the artificial surface layer so that it can be connected to an object to be anchored to the artificial surface layer.

Abstract: A sports goal assembly having a goal frame defining an upright goalmouth on a shared soccer/football playing field is provided. The goal frame includes a spaced-apart, opposed pair of elongate base rails that each extend rearward of the goalmouth and along and parallel to an underlying surface of the playing field to support the goal assembly on the playing field. An elongate base crossbar interconnects the base rails and extends transversely therebetween. Each of the elongate base rails includes a front section adjacent the goalmouth, a rear section remote from the goalmouth, and an intermediate section. The base crossbar is connected to, and extends from, the intermediate sections of the base rails, and the rear sections of the base rails include counterbalancing weights to stabilize the goal assembly.

Abstract: A training device for use as a playing field obstacle during athletic training exercises. The training device includes a weighted base supportable on an underlying ground surface. The base has at least one wheel enabling ready repositioning of the base on the playing field and an upper wall with an upward-opening slot. The base can also include a dummy obstacle having a body portion and a base plug portion. The base plug portion is receivable within the slot of the base for connecting the dummy obstacle to the base such that, when the dummy obstacle is connected to the base, the body portion of the dummy obstacle is supported in a substantially upright position. The base may further include one or more coaching sticks removably secured within receptacles in a position extending or projecting from the base.

Abstract: A training device for use as a playing field obstacle during athletic training exercises. The training device includes a weighted base having a bottom wall supportable in a stationary position on an underlying ground surface. The base has at least one wheel enabling ready repositioning of the base on the playing field and an upper wall with an upward-opening slot. The training device can also include a separate dummy obstacle having a body portion and a base plug portion. The base plug portion is receivable within the slot of the base for connecting the dummy obstacle to the base such that, when the dummy obstacle is connected to the base, the body portion of the dummy obstacle is supported in a substantially upright position. The training device can also include one or more coaching sticks separate from the base and dummy obstacle, and the base can include at least one receptacle for removably securing and supporting the coaching stick in a position extending or projecting from the base.

Abstract: A training aid for use during footwork, coordination, speed and/or agility training exercises is provided. The training aid is one or more obstacles about which a player weaves, jumps, or ducks and includes at least one coaching stick. The coaching stick is elongate, has opposite free ends, and has a transverse cross-section that is uniform along substantially a full length of the coaching stick. Preferably, the coaching stick is elliptical in transverse cross-section and defines an elliptical outer periphery that has a width greater then its depth. Accordingly, the coaching stick has a wide face as viewed in one direction and a narrow face as viewed in a different direction. Swivel clips for connecting coaching sticks together and methods of assembling a training circuit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable, self-erecting sports goal has a frame sufficiently flexible to be re-positioned between a goal configuration and a storage configuration without requiring disassembly of the frame. The frame includes first and second goal posts interconnected at upper ends thereof by a crossbar, a first base bar extending rearward from a lower end of a first goal post, a second base bar extending rearward from a lower end of a second goal post, and a base rail interconnecting the ends of the first and second base bars opposite the goal posts. In the goal configuration, the base bars and base rail support the sports goal on an underlying ground surface and the goal posts and crossbar cooperate to define a substantially rectangular goal mouth extending upright from the underlying ground surface. In the storage configuration, the frame is twisted and folded upon itself into a substantially flat and compact position enabling the sports goal to be readily carried and stored.

Abstract: An anchoring device for a sports goal, such as a soccer goal, is provided as a portable bag having a pair of laterally spaced-apart weight-carrying compartments interconnected by at least one central strip of material. The central strip defines at least one opening extending between the weight-carrying compartments, and the portable bag is of a size capable of straddling a base rail of a sports goal frame such that the weight-carrying compartments are located on opposite sides of the base rail while the strip extends over the base rail. When the portable bag straddles the base rail, the opening permits a goal net to be fastened to the base rail of the goal frame between the weight-carrying compartments.

Abstract: An assembly including a tubular connector and at least one framing member having a hollow open end and a longitudinally-extending recessed channel. The recessed channel is formed by at least a pair of opposed inwardly-directed walls having inner peripheral surfaces that taper toward one another in a substantially V-shaped configuration. The connector is slidably received within the hollow end of the framing member and has a longitudinally-extending inset track for cooperatively receiving and engaging the tapered inner peripheral surfaces of the channel walls of the framing member. The inset track has outer peripheral surfaces formed by outwardly tapered walls, whereby when the inset track and recessed channel are urged together by a fastener, a slip-resistant joint is formed therebetween. Sports goal assemblies and methods of assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An anchoring device for a sports goal, such as a soccer goal, is provided as a portable bag having a pair of laterally spaced-apart weight-carrying compartments interconnected by at least one central strip of material. The central strip defines at least one opening extending between the weight-carrying compartments, and the portable bag is of a size capable of straddling a base rail of a sports goal frame such that the weight-carrying compartments are located on opposite sides of the base rail while the strip extends over the base rail. When the portable bag straddles the base rail, the opening permits a goal net to be fastened to the base rail of the goal frame between the weight-carrying compartments.

Abstract: A vandal resistant sports goal net clip, or fastener, for attaching nets to the frames of sports goals. The fasteners are difficult to remove by hand and require the use of a separate tool to attach and remove the net from the frame. Sports goal assemblies and methods of securing nets to goal frames are also disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly including a tubular connector and at least one framing member having a hollow open end and a longitudinally-extending recessed channel. The recessed channel is formed by at least a pair of opposed inwardly-directed walls having inner peripheral surfaces that taper toward one another in a substantially V-shaped configuration. The connector is slidably received within the hollow end of the framing member and has a longitudinally-extending inset track for cooperatively receiving and engaging the tapered inner peripheral surfaces of the channel walls of the framing member. The inset track has outer peripheral surfaces formed by outwardly tapered walls, whereby when the inset track and recessed channel are urged together by a fastener, a slip-resistant joint is formed therebetween. Sports goal assemblies and methods of assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ground anchor system for anchoring an article, such as a sports goal, bench or the like, to an underlying ground surface. The ground anchor includes an elongate body capable of being embedded within concrete within a hole in the ground and has an anchor and locking plate assembly secured to an upper end thereof. A separate anchor pin is removably securable to the anchor and locking plate assembly. The anchor pin has a knob at one end that is grippable by hand and can be manually placed into a locking position without the use of a separate tool in which the anchor pin is secured to the anchor and locking plate assembly. The anchor pin can also be manually positioned into an unlocking position in which the anchor pin is freely removable from the anchor and locking plate assembly.

Abstract: A soccer training aid having at least one continuous, elongate, durable strip of field-marking webbing with grommets located at opposite ends and at an intermediate position on the webbing. Anchor pegs are secured to the grommets enabling the webbing to be removably secured to a surface of a playing field. The webbing can be wound into a compact storage condition on a hand-held carrier and conveniently carried to and from the playing field. A method of applying markings to a playing field is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vandal resistant sports goal net clip, or fastener, for attaching nets to the frames of sports goals. The fasteners are difficult to remove by hand and require the use of a separate tool to attach and remove the net from the frame. Sports goal assemblies and methods of securing nets to goal frames are also disclosed.