TRAINING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING ACCURACY IN AN ACTIVITY
The present embodiments provide a system for improving ability level in an activity. The system comprises a first target comprising a first dimension and a first color, and a second target comprising a second dimension and a second color. The second dimension is greater than the first dimension, and the second color is different than the first color. In one embodiment, the first target is a first home plate, and the second target is a second home plate. The first home plate may comprise a first width and the second home plate may comprise a second width, wherein the second width is greater than the first width. Additionally, user instructions are provided that specify a sequence of distances for positions of the first and second targets over activity intervals. The user instructions may be selected based on various user characteristics.
This invention claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/382,316, entitled “Training Systems And Methods For Improving Accuracy In An Activity,” filed Sep. 13, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND INFORMATIONThis disclosure relates generally to the fields of activities, and more particularly, to training systems and methods for improving accuracy in an activity.
Control in the form of accuracy is an important quality for a variety of activities. In baseball or softball, players require control in order to throw at a selected location. Similarly, in football, basketball, darts, bowling and other activities, control is a critical element in throwing or otherwise moving an object to its desired location in a consistent manner.
With regard to baseball and softball in particular, many experts agree that control is an essential element for a pitcher to have. Professional players believe that focus is an important key to achieving control. However, learning to focus may prove difficult for young players, which may impede the road to enhanced control.
Experience shows that young people often have difficulty focusing, maintaining concentration, and staying on track. Notably, many kids have relative short attention spans and it is difficult for them to focus on a particular task at hand. Many kids are on medications that attempt to enhance focus in any activity, whether in school, when doing chores, or in activities such as sports. These attention-related issues interfere with their ability to concentrate during training sessions, thereby reducing the effectiveness of prolonged training activities. If an activity is fun for a kid to perform, and the kid can form some type of emotional attachment when performing the activity, the kid's focus is likely to be significantly enhanced, which in turn may improve performance. Thus, a system that is fun for kids, and for which the kids may form emotional attachments, is important to enhancing focus and performance.
Additionally, during certain training activities, kids may be afraid for various reasons, which may impede focus and progress. By way of example, when training to be a baseball or softball pitcher, kids may be afraid of hitting a batter with a ball. Such a mental fear may affect confidence, focus and performance, e.g., the kids may not be able to accurately throw a pitch on an inside corner of the plate for fear of hitting and injuring another kid.
Still further, a training system for kids should reduce the likelihood of injury. Notably, young athletes frequently fail to take the time necessary to warm up properly, often resulting in arm soreness and injury. In the example where kids are training to be a baseball or softball pitcher, it is particularly important to warm up kids' arms to improve blood flow and reduce risk of injury, preferably in a manner that is fun and interesting, forms an emotional attachment, and does not cause fear.
One existing modality for attempting to increase focus of a baseball or softball player is having a catcher use a bright colored glove, for example, a bright orange leather mitt. Such a tool generally is helpful for visualization purposes and may improve control. However, there are limitations on a bright colored glove, for example, it does not address various training issues such as reducing injury, and use of the glove alone may become monotonous over time.
Improved methods and systems are needed for increasing accuracy in an activity.
SUMMARYThe present embodiments provide systems and methods for improving ability level in an activity. For example, the systems and methods may improve focus and control for pitchers in baseball or softball. More generally, a system comprises a first target comprising a first dimension and a first color, and a second target comprising a second dimension and a second color. The second dimension is greater than the first dimension, and the second color is different than the first color.
In one exemplary embodiment, the first target is a first home plate, and the second target is a second home plate. The first home plate may comprise a first width and the second home plate may comprise a second width, wherein the second width is greater than the first width. Thus, the system is visually oriented, employing home plates having various different colors and sizes.
Additionally, user instructions are provided that specify a sequence of distances for positions of the first and second targets over activity intervals, such as days, weeks, number of throws, or other intervals. The user instructions may further specify an activity to perform during the activity interval, such as throwing a pitch, hitting a golf ball, or tossing a dart. The user instructions may be selected based on various user characteristics. In one embodiment, at least one of the user characteristic is age.
The user instructions may recite additional parameters besides the sequence of distances for positions of the first and second targets over activity intervals. In one embodiment, at least one of the additional parameters is a number of throws when the first target is positioned at a first distance from the user. Further, at least one of the additional parameters may comprise an activity to be performed on a day off from using the first and second targets. The user instructions may be provided on a DVD, may be uploadable into the memory of a mobile device, or may be provided through other media.
Advantageously, the present embodiments are designed to help users, and young men and women in particular, overcome various training difficulties while providing several important benefits. Some exemplary benefits include better focus and concentration, improved ball control and accuracy, improved confidence, reduced fear and anxiety, better arm strength, and reduced risk of arm injury.
Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be within the scope of the invention, and be encompassed by the following claims.
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
The present embodiments relate generally to the fields of activities, and more particularly, to training systems and methods for improving accuracy in an activity. While exemplary applications are shown and described in connection with accuracy for throwing a baseball or softball, further activities (e.g., sports) are contemplated using the principles disclosed herein, including but not limited to throwing a football, shooting a basketball, throwing darts, aiming a bowling ball, and the like.
Referring now to
In this example, the system 10 further comprises a third home plate 20c comprising a third width wc and a third color, wherein the third width wc is greater than the second width wb, and wherein the third color is different than the first color and the second color. Further, in this example, the system 10 comprises a fourth home plate 20d comprising a fourth width wd and a fourth color, wherein the fourth width wd is greater than the third width wc, and wherein the fourth color is different than the first color, the second color and the third color.
The system 10 may comprise greater or fewer home plates than are depicted in
In the example of
Notably, a typical professional baseball home plate additionally comprises a black strip 35 around its perimeter, as shown in
Referring still to
Referring still to
Advantageously, using the system 10 of the present embodiments, in conjunction with user instructions as explained in
Referring now to
In this example of
In a first part of the program of
Next, the instructions 55 of
Subsequently, the instructions 55 of
Finally, on the last portion of the first day, the instructions 55 of
It should be noted that while the instructions 55 recommend throwing 10 pitches at each distance D1A-D4A, any number of throws may be recommended, such as 8, 15, or more or less. Moreover, the number of throws may change per interval, for example, a user may throw 10 pitches at distance D1A, then throw 15 pitches at distance D2A, 8 pitches at distance D3A, and throw 12 pitches at distance D4A. In other words, any of the parameters of the system, including the number of throws and distance to plate, may be modified as desired to adapt the system to a particular setting, sport, age, or other characteristic.
In one embodiment, the pitcher may throw from a stationary or fixed rubber, e.g., one implanted on the mount of a baseball field, and move the home plates 20a-20d progressively back as described in the instructions 55. In an alternative embodiment, the system 10 may comprise a portable rubber 45, as shown in
Notably, the portable rubber 45 may be sized to match the dimensions of a rubber on a professional baseball field, or may be sized to have larger or smaller dimensions, and may be a white color or another suitable color. If the portable rubber 45 is used, it may allow a user to throw with the home plates 20a-20d near a backstop such as a fence, net, screen or wall, without the need for a catcher, such that the user may conveniently retrieve balls thrown against the backstop while moving the portable rubber 45 back in the suggested increments relative to the home plates 20a-20d.
Referring still to the embodiment of
The instructions 55 of
Notably, the instructions 55 may provide additional advice or suggestions. In one non-limiting example, the instructions 55 may recommend that a user in the program of
Advantageously, using the system 10 of the present embodiments, an enhanced pitching training system is provided. The progression of home plate sizes and distances, as well as home plate colors, allows a user to maintain interest and focus as the pitching distances change. In particular, the system 10 having different size home plates 20a-20d allows a user to throw a predetermined number of pitches at a shorter distance with a smaller home plate 20a of a first color. Subsequently, the system 10 allows the user to throw predetermined numbers of pitches at longer distances with larger home plates of different colors. By varying the sizes and colors of the home plates 20a-20d, as well as distances, the user's focus and control will be improved.
In particular, the system 10 may be beneficial for kids having relatively short attention spans, where it may be difficult for them to focus on a particular task at hand. Since the throwing activities are fun for kids to perform, especially when integrating targets of different sizes and attractive colors, kids can form an emotional attachment when learning to pitch, thus potentially significantly enhancing focus, which may in turn improve performance. Notably, the system 10, in conjunction with the instructions 55, may be considerably less monotonous for kids, relative to simply throwing repeatedly from a mound to the same home plate at the same distance. Additionally, the break that occurs when changing between distances D1A-D4A is expected to significantly benefit the user, particularly kids, when training. For example, the break may allow a user to regain mental focus as they switch to a new distance. Focus may be recharged as the user must now throw to a different home plate of different size and color. By maintaining interest and focus with short breaks, performance can be enhanced. Moreover, the pauses that occur when the distances are adjusted allow time for coach instruction, while enabling the participant to reflect on and implement the advice that is given.
Additionally, the system 10 allows a user to focus downward, on a lower level and towards the various colors of the home plates 20a-20d, which may have multiple advantages. First, it may train the user to keep pitches down in the strike zone, which may be advantageous for performance. Second, by focusing on the various colors of the home plates 20a-20d, it may alleviate fears, particularly for children, of hitting a batter with a ball by focusing on the plate instead of worrying about the batter standing next to it, which may significantly increase confidence, focus and performance. In other words, at shorter distances, the participant throws at slower speed, and gradually, as the throwing distance increases, the participant throws at greater speeds and uses larger, differently-colored home plates. The combination of these variables helps the participant maintain his or her concentration level and focus in the activity, enhances the participant's command and ball control, and makes it easier for the participant to keep the ball low in the strike zone, an important goal of the activity.
Moreover, the programs outlined in the embodiment of
Additionally, the instructions 55 may specify throwing speeds, or percentages of maximum speed, as a parameter. For example, at the first distance D1A, the instructions 55 may suggest a user throw at 40% maximum speed. Subsequently, at distances D2A-D4A, the instructions 55 may suggest a user throw at 60%, 80% and 100% maximum speeds, respectively. With this parameter, several advantages are achieved. First, the user may warm up and improve blood flow to reduce risk of injury by building up to higher speeds and distances over time. It is also important, particularly with kids, to emphasize that throwing at maximum speed is not the only important consideration when learning to pitch, but rather control is equally, if not more, important. Additionally, when pitching in baseball or softball, changing speeds may be important, e.g., to keep the batter off balance, and therefore by specifying various throwing speeds, or percentages of maximum speed, as a parameter, a user may advantageously become accustomed to mixing up different pitches at different velocities.
It should be noted that the systems and methods herein may be used when only one person is training, or when groups are training together. In the latter example, multiple systems 10 may be set up in parallel, e.g., during a training camp. Still further, users of both genders may improve performance significantly using the systems and methods herein.
Additional instructions are provided to accommodate an array of users of different ages, as well as baseball versus softball pitching. For example, the schematic program illustrated in
Similarly, the schematic program illustrated in
The schematic program illustrated in
The schematic program illustrated in
The schematic program illustrated in
Finally, the schematic program illustrated in
Advantageously, as noted above, each of the training systems uses the system 10 to teach a user enhanced focus and control by varying the progression of home plate sizes and throwing distances, as well as home plate colors. Further, the programs outlined in the various instructions of
The home plates 20a-20d and the user instructions may be provided as part of a kit. In one example, measuring tape that allows a user to determine pertinent distances may be provided as part of a purchasable kit that includes the home plates 20a-20d, a portable rubber 45, and an instructional DVD containing at least the user instructions and tables outlined in
Referring to
In block 108, after a suitable program is selected, a user picks the next activity of the program, which may be using different home plates 20a-20d and different distances, or alternatively, playing long toss, as recommended in the user instructions associated with the selected program. For example, if the program of
Referring now to
In the embodiment shown in
The memory 236 is a computer readable storage media. Computer readable storage media include various types of volatile and non-volatile storage media, including but not limited to random access memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic tape or disk, optical media and the like. The memory 236 may be a single device or a combination of devices. The memory 236 may be adjacent to, part of, networked with and/or remote from the processor 235.
The user input 237 is a mouse, keyboard, switch, buttons, key, slider, knob, touch pad, touch screen, trackball, combinations thereof or other now known or later developed user input device. The user input 237 receives input from a user. In response to activation of the user input 237, signals or data are provided to the processor 235.
The display 238 is a CRT, monitor, flat panel, LCD, projector, printer or other now known or later developed display device for outputting determined information. For example, the processor 235 causes the display 238 at a local or remote location to output data indicating a user program or related instructions, for example, the distances for the home plates, the number of throws, or any other information included in the training program defined in the tables.
The memory 236 stores instructions for the processor 235. In one embodiment, the instructions are stored on a removable media drive, such as DVD or other media 240, for reading by the training system 200. In another embodiment, the instructions are stored in a remote location for transfer through a network interface 242, or over telephone lines, to the training system 200. The instructions also may be stored on other media or devices.
The memory 236 also stores personal information, such as user characteristics 247. The user characteristics 247 may be input manually via the user input 237. The user characteristics 247 correspond to features, such as age, sport, previous experience or ability level, or other sources of information.
A software program having instructions is loaded into the memory 236 of the training system 200, such that the software program may be run via the processor 235. The software program may be capable of various functions. For example, the software program may be configured to process data associated with user characteristics 247 that is stored on the training system 200. The software program also may be capable of searching through the information stored in the memory 236 in response to a user input. For example, the program 245 may accept user characteristics through the user interface 238, then search the tables 246 for the applicable training program (e.g., by selecting the Table in
The software program may comprise instructions, which may be installed in the memory 236, for tailoring a particular training program to a user's characteristics. Specifically, since users will have different ages, ability levels, and selected sports, the software program is capable of tailoring a program to a particular user's needs. Information that may be installed and stored in the memory 236 includes, but is not limited to, training programs 245 and tables of information 246 (e.g., the Tables shown in
By way of example, a user may inputs his or her age as 10 years old via the user interface 238, may indicate an average beginning ability level, and may select baseball as the sport. In response, the software program may determine, as a selected program, the table shown in
In one exemplary system, the processor 235, the memory 236 and other pertinent components may be provided in a portable device such as a laptop computer, cell phone, PDA, smart phone, or other any device, such that a coach on a field may guide a child through a program as the instructions are displayed on his portable device. Alternatively, it will be understood that in lieu of a computer-related instructional program, printed instructions may be provided as part of a system or kit that includes all of the pertinent tables and materials.
The training system described above improves focus, control, and accuracy, resulting in substantial benefits to those who use the system and to children in particular. Thus, the training system is particularly effective because many children tend to have relatively short attention spans, which makes it difficult for them to focus on a task at hand. Moreover, the activities of the training system described above are fun for kids to perform, allowing the kids to form an emotional attachment when performing the activities, which in turn may improve focus and performance.
Additionally, the training system described above may reduce fear, particularly for kids playing baseball or softball in terms of hitting a batter with a ball, by allowing the user to focus on an object other than the batter. Still further, the training system described above may reduce the likelihood of injury, as the instructions and systems allow kids' arms to warm up and systematically improve blood flow, notably in a manner that is fun and interesting and forms an emotional attachment.
It will be appreciated that while one exemplary usage is shown in connection with accuracy for throwing a baseball, further activities or sports are contemplated using the principles disclosed herein, including but not limited to throwing a football, shooting a basketball, throwing darts, aiming a bowling ball, and the like. By way of example, for throwing a football, different targets (e.g., rings of different sizes and colors) may be provided, whereby a user may throw the football progressively through the different rings of different sizes and from different distances, according to any desired practice program (which may be defined with tables like those illustrated in
While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A system for improving ability level in an activity, the system comprising:
- a first target comprising a first dimension and a first color;
- a second target comprising a second dimension and a second color,
- wherein the second dimension is greater than the first dimension, and wherein the second color is different than the first color; and
- user instructions that specify a sequence of distances for positions of the first and second targets over activity intervals.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first target is a first home plate, and wherein the second target is a second home plate.
3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a portable rubber, wherein the portable rubber may be selectively moved forward or backward relative to the first home plate and the second home plate, according to the sequence of distances provided in the user instructions.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein the first home plate comprises a first width and the second home plate comprising a second width, wherein the second width is greater than the first width.
5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a third home plate comprising a third width and a third color, wherein the third width is greater than the second width, and wherein the third color is different than the first color and the second color.
6. The system of claim 5 further comprising a fourth home plate comprising a fourth width and a fourth color, wherein the fourth width is greater than the third width, and wherein the fourth color is different than the first color, the second color and the third color.
7. The system of claim 1 where the activity interval comprises a day.
8. The system of claim 1 where the user instructions further specify an activity to perform during the activity interval.
9. A method for improving ability level in an activity, the method comprising:
- providing a first target comprising a first dimension and a first color;
- providing a second target comprising a second dimension and a second color,
- wherein the second dimension is greater than the first dimension, and wherein the second color is different than the first color; and
- providing user instructions that specify a sequence of distances for positions of the first and second targets over activity intervals.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising ascertaining user characteristics to facilitate selecting specific user instructions.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the user characteristics is age.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the user characteristics identifies a particular activity.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the user instructions recite at least one additional parameter besides the sequence of distances for positions of the first and second targets over activity intervals, wherein at least one of the additional parameters is a number of throws when the first target is positioned at a first distance from the user.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the additional parameters is an activity to be performed on a day off from using the first and second targets.
15. The method of claim 9, where the activity interval comprises a day.
16. The method of claim 9, where the user instructions further specify an activity to perform during the activity interval.
17. A product comprising:
- a machine readable medium; and
- logic stored on the medium that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to: accept user characteristics as input; and select and display user training instructions based on the user characteristics, the user instructions specifying: a first target comprising a first dimension and a first color; a second target comprising a second dimension and a second color, wherein the second dimension is greater than the first dimension, and wherein the second color is different than the first color; and a sequence of distances for positions of the first and second targets over activity intervals.
18. The product of claim 17 wherein at least one of the user characteristics is age.
19. The product of claim 17 wherein at least one of the user characteristics identifies a particular activity.
20. The product of claim 17, wherein the activity interval comprises a day.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 12, 2011
Publication Date: Mar 15, 2012
Inventor: Steven R. Trout (Tinley Park, IL)
Application Number: 13/230,386