Abstract: Systems for tracking off the dribble shooting statistics are disclosed. Controller(s) receive data from a user interface indicating selection of pass receipt locations and certain of those locations where a user intends to perform a basketball move, program a launching device to pass basketballs to the selected pass locations, record and present shooting performance information for each of the passes, including separately recording and presenting such shooting performance information for those locations where the user intends to perform a basketball move.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing mental training during a basketball practice session are provided. A controller receives indication of user selection of a decision mode for the basketball practice session. A custom library of selected basketball moves and associated codes for the basketball practice session is generated by the controller. Before and/or while each basketball is commanded by the controller to be passed by a launching device of a basketball passing machine for the basketball practice session, the controller causes display of one of the associated codes at an electronic display. In this way, the user must recall the move associated with the code.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing mental training during a basketball practice session are provided. A controller commands a basketball passing machine to pass basketballs as part of a basketball practice session. Before and/or while issuing each of the commands to the launching device, the controller causes a specific, respective code to be displayed at the electronic display for a player to see and recall an associated basketball move to be performed. Before and/or while the code is displayed, the controller starts a timer. If a detector records a made basketball shot after the timer reaches a predetermined threshold, the player is notified and any made basketball shots detected thereafter are disregarded, thereby forcing the player to timely recall and perform the basketball move before attempting a shot.

Abstract: A system for automatically detecting made and missed basketball shots using machine vision includes a launcher connected to a structural subassembly which passes basketballs to locations about a basketball playing area. One or more cameras are connected to the structural subassembly and capture images of an underside or an upper side of a rim of the basketball goal. One or more controllers program the launcher to pass the basketballs to select locations forming part of a basketball practice arrangement, receive images from the camera(s), associate each of the received images with one of the passes from the launcher forming part of the basketball practice arrangement, and process each of the received images using a machine vision model to determine which of said received images indicate a made shot.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating access to shooting statistics data for a basketball player are provided. A user interface receives a user selection of identifying information for the basketball player and a subset of plurality of pass receipt locations located about a basketball playing surface for an ejector to pass said basketballs to as part of a basketball practice drill for the basketball player. A detector detects passage of basketballs through a rim of a basketball goal to indicate a made basketball shot. A control system commands the ejector to launch at least one basketball towards each pass receipt location in the subset. One or more remote electronic devices electronically store data indicating the player's success in making shots from the pass receipt location in the subset in association with the identifying information.

Abstract: A throwing mechanism is provided. A basketball holder is located at a first portion of a catapult arm at a first side of a pivot, and a spring is attached to a second portion of said catapult arm located at a second side of the pivot. A motor is cycled to cause a ram mounted to one or more linkages connected to the motor to contact the second portion of said catapult arm for pivoting the catapult arm into a second position where the first portion is secured by an engagement arm located rearward of the catapult arm, and subsequently contact the engagement arm to release the catapult arm for pivoting movement into a first position by forces exerted by the spring to launch the basketball located at the first portion of said catapult arm.

Abstract: Basketball passing systems with virtual coaching capabilities are provided. An interface comprises selectable pass receipt locations arranged about a visual depiction of basketball court elements to visually correspond with locations at said basketball playing area a launching device is capable of passing basketballs to. A controller receives a user selection of the selectable pass receipt locations and commands the launching device to launch basketballs to the selected locations for the user to catch and shoot. A sensor determines if the shot is successfully made. A camera records images of the shot. The controller generates a virtual coaching display with images from the camera and a visual indication of whether displayed images resulted in a successfully made shot.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting a user with creating a custom shots-made basketball practice arrangement are provided. A detector detects made basketball shots. A user interface receives a user selection of a subset of pass receipt locations for a custom shots-made basketball practice arrangement located about a basketball playing surface. A control system receives data indicating the user selection and a number of shots to be made and commands an ejector to launch basketballs to a particular one of the pass receipt locations in the subset until data is received indicating that the selected number of shots to be made are made at the particular one of said plurality of pass receipt locations, cease launching the basketballs to the particular one of the pass receipt locations, and begins launching basketballs to a second particular one of the pass receipt locations in said subset.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking off of the dribble shooting statistics are provided. An ejector launches basketballs to a user selected subset of pass receipt locations spaced apart about a basketball playing area. A controller receives data from an interface representing the user selected subset of the pass receipt locations and certain of the pass receipt locations in the subset where the player intends to perform a pre-shooting basketball move immediately before receiving the pass or making the shooting attempt and commands the ejector to launch at least one basketball to each of the pass receipt locations in the subset. Data is received from a detector indicating made basketball shots, and a performance report is generated with feedback for each of the pass receipt locations in the subset with a qualifier associated with at least some of the feedback indicating off of the dribble shooting.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting made and missed basketball shots are provided. A launcher passes basketballs to shooting locations about a basketball playing area based on user input provided at an interface to define a custom practice arrangement. A camera captures images of an underside of a rim of a basketball goal. A controller receives images from the camera, associates the images with passes from the launcher, processes the images using a machine vision model to determine which of said received images indicate a made shot, and generates a performance report indicating a number or percentage of made shots for each location in the custom practice arrangement.

Abstract: A user interface includes a plurality of pass receipt locations rendered at spaced positions on or adjacent to the rendering of a three-point line to correspond with pass receipt locations on a basketball playing surface. Each pass receipt location is individually and directly selected by physical touch to define a custom basketball practice arrangement which is programmed into a control system to cause an ejector mounted to a frame to launch at least one basketball to each selected location.

Abstract: An ejector launches a series of basketballs to various locations selected by a user via an interface having a number of individually selectable indicia arranged in a spaced angular pattern thereon corresponding to shooting locations on a basketball playing area. A sensor counts the number of ejected basketballs and made shots. A computer calculates shooting statistics data which is transmitted to a database via a network connection device. The database is configured to store the shooting statistics data and transmit it to an electronic device.

Abstract: A system for improving a basketball player's ability to shoot basketballs towards a basketball hoop having an improved ball sensor is disclosed. An interface allows a player to select various locations for a ball ejector to launch basketballs to. A hollow protrusion extends though the net of the basketball hoop and has a microphone positioned therein. A processor compares audio signals generated by said microphone to pre-recorded sample audio signals of a basketball passing through the net of the basketball hoop to determine if a basketball shot was successfully made.

Abstract: A device for assisting a user during basketball practice is disclosed. The device includes an ejector that launches a basketball, a control system that detects and records shooting data and programs the ejector, and an interface that has a plurality of indicia and communicates with the control system. A report generator is included that generates a report on the shooting data. In exemplary embodiments, a tracking device may detect the location of the basketball and a sensor may detect if the basketball passes through the goal.

Abstract: A system and method for improving a player's efficiency in shooting by providing a player with various shooting challenge routines at which a player makes either a total number of shots or a total number shots in a row. Statistics regarding the player's performance are gathered or collected, stored and/or tracked, printed and/or evaluated and the player can use the information to improve his or her efficiency at one or more of the plurality of different locations where the player shoots the basketball. One embodiment includes the ability of players from the same or different teams to compare statistics and enables the launchers at different locations to launch substantially exactly the same pass to different players to facilitate such competition.

Abstract: A system and method for improving a player's efficiency in shooting by providing a player with various shooting challenge routines at which a player makes either a total number of shots or a total number shots in a row. Statistics regarding the player's performance are stored, printed and/or evaluated and the player can use the information to improve his or her efficiency at one or more of the plurality of different locations where the player shoots the basketball. In another embodiment, a measuring or detection system is used in combination with or separate from a ball launcher. The system is adapted to measure at least one of a distance of a player from the a launcher, height of a shot made by the player after catching a basketball, release angle, release time, or arc of a shot; entry angle of the basketball into a goal; hold or release time; or shot arc.

Abstract: A system and method for improving a player's efficiency in shooting by providing a player with various shooting challenge routines at which a player makes either a total number of shots or a total number shots in a row. Statistics regarding the player's performance are gathered or collected, stored and/or tracked, printed and/or evaluated and the player can use the information to improve his or her efficiency at one or more of the plurality of different locations where the player shoots the basketball. One embodiment includes the ability of players from the same or different teams to compare statistics and enables the launchers at different locations to launch substantially exactly the same pass to different players to facilitate such competition.

Abstract: A system and method for improving a player's efficiency in shooting by providing a player with various shooting challenge routines at which a player makes either a total number of shots or a total number shots in a row. Statistics regarding the player's performance are stored, printed and/or evaluated and the player can use the information to improve his or her efficiency at one or more of the plurality of different locations where the player shoots the basketball.

Abstract: A football training system and method for training a player football technique, strength and endurance. The system provides an engagement member that can be engaged and driven upward and substantially simultaneously rearward. The system includes a life-size simulator, dummy or engagement member for providing a true-to-life training experience. The system is capable of providing increased resistance to the player as the player drives the dummy and also provides a speed and power indication to the player, his or her coach or trainer.

Abstract: A portable basketball practice system or apparatus and method are shown having a plurality of pads situated on a plurality of adjustable arms that provide a toggle assembly, respectively. A position of the pads can be adjusted relative to a box-out area and can be engaged by a player during a basketball practice or training session. After a pad is engaged and driven away from the box-out area, the other pad is driven toward the box-out area. The player experiences a predetermined amount of resistance in order to simulate “boxing out” during a rebound drill. The apparatus and method may be provided separately or integrally with a basketball backboard and hoop. There is a disclosure of a friction-based swivel assembly that utilizes at least one brake pad for use in a basketball practice system.