Abstract: An apparatus for practicing athletic skills for a sport that uses a net includes a support frame for mounting on the net and a pair of blocking assemblies supported by the frame. Each of the blocking assemblies includes a blocking paddle that extends upwardly from the frame above the top edge of the net. The blocking paddle may have the size and/or shape of an adult human hand, and it may be supported by an arm having the size and/or shape of an adult human forearm. Each blocking paddle may be secured relative to the support frame so that it may be selectively and independently oriented. The support frame may have top and bottom portions that engage the net, and it may be translatable alongside the net. A lobe may project upwardly from the frame and be sized similarly to an adult human head.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is placed on a support surface and used by an individual to practice or play with a sports ball. The apparatus generally includes a support assembly and a target member connected thereto with a coupling member. The support assembly may be formed by one or more pole assemblies having multiple pole sections telescopically mounted to one another. The target member has an opening forming a target area having a boundary that generally defines a target plane. The target area is sized and adapted so that the ball may pass therethrough. The coupling member has a released state whereby the target member may be selectably positioned to orient the plane in a selected angular orientation relative to the support surface and a secured state whereby the target member is retained in the selected angular orientation. The apparatus may include a chute depending from the target member.