FOOTBALL PASSER TRAINING DEVICE
A training device for improving football passing technique may include a belt member for attachment to the waist of a user and a guide post attached to the belt member. The guide post may include a base member coupled to the belt member, a substantially horizontal member coupled to the base member and projecting outward from the belt member, a substantially vertical member coupled to the substantially horizontal member, the substantially vertical member projecting upward from the substantially horizontal member, and a cross member coupled to the substantially vertical member and projecting forward and backward from an attachment point of the cross member with the substantially vertical member. When the training device is positioned around the waist of the user, the substantially horizontal member may be positioned below the passing-arm side axilla of the user.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/584,549 filed Jan. 9, 2012 and entitled “Quarterback Training Device” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present specification generally relates to a football training device and, more specifically, to a training device for improving football passing technique.
BACKGROUNDImproper passing mechanics can be detrimental to the performance of a football quarterback or other athlete who passes a football. For example, improper mechanics may decrease the velocity of the ball and decrease the passer's accuracy. Sometimes, improper passing mechanics may place excessive stress on a passer's elbow or other body parts, potentially leading to injury.
Accordingly, a need exists for alternative devices for teaching and/or reinforcing proper football passing mechanics.
SUMMARYAccording to one embodiment, a training device for improving football passing technique may comprise a belt member for attachment to the waist of a user and a guide post attached to the belt member. The guide post may comprise a base member coupled to the belt member; a substantially horizontal member coupled to the base member and projecting outward from the belt member; a substantially vertical member coupled to the substantially horizontal member, the substantially vertical member projecting upward from the substantially horizontal member; and a cross member coupled to the substantially vertical member and projecting forward and backward from an attachment point of the cross member with the substantially vertical member. When the training device is positioned around the waist of the user, the substantially horizontal member may be positioned below the passing-arm side axilla of the user.
According to another embodiment, a training device for improving football passing technique may comprise a belt member for attachment to the waist of a use and a guide post attached to the belt member. The guide post may comprise a base member coupled to the belt member; a substantially horizontal member coupled to the base member and projecting outward from the belt member, wherein a length of the substantially horizontal member is adjustable relative to the base member; a substantially vertical member coupled to the substantially horizontal member, the substantially vertical member projecting upward from the substantially horizontal member, wherein a length of the substantially vertical member is adjustable relative to the substantially horizontal member; and a cross member coupled to the substantially vertical member and projecting forward and backward from an attachment point of the cross member with the substantially vertical member. When the training device is positioned around the waist of the user, the substantially horizontal member may be positioned below the passing-arm side axilla of the user.
According to yet another embodiment, a training device for improving football passing technique, may comprise a belt member for attachment to the waist of a user and a guide post attached to the belt member. The guide post may comprise a base member coupled to the belt member; a substantially horizontal member coupled to the base member and projecting outward from the belt member, wherein a length of the substantially horizontal member is adjustable relative to the base member and the substantially horizontal member comprises a first horizontal telescoping member slidably engaged with a second horizontal telescoping member such that the first horizontal telescoping member is extendable and retractable relative to the second horizontal telescoping member; a substantially vertical member coupled to the substantially horizontal member, the substantially vertical member projecting upward from the substantially horizontal member, wherein a length of the substantially vertical member is adjustable relative to the substantially horizontal member and the substantially vertical member comprises a first vertical telescoping member slidably engaged with a second vertical telescoping member such that the first vertical telescoping member may be extended from and retracted relative to the second vertical telescoping member; and a cross member coupled to the substantially vertical member and projecting forward and backward from an attachment point of the cross member with the substantially vertical member. When the training device is positioned around the waist of the user, the substantially horizontal member may be positioned below the passing-arm side axilla of the user.
The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
Referring to
Still referring to
The guide post 108 further comprises a horizontal member 110 which is coupled to the base 116. The horizontal member 110 projects outwardly from the base 116 and is generally oriented in the horizontal plane (i.e., in a plane defined by the x-axis and y-axis in the coordinate axes shown in
A vertical member 112 is coupled to or integrally formed with the horizontal member 110. The vertical member 112 generally projects upward (i.e., in the direction of the z-axis of the coordinate axes shown in
A cross member 114 is coupled to or integrally formed with the vertical member 112. In the embodiment shown in
It should be understood that in various embodiments, the horizontal member 110, vertical member 112, and the cross member 114 may be of different sizes. The size of the horizontal member 110, vertical member 112, and the cross member 114 may be based at least in part on the size and/or passing ability of the user. For example, the horizontal member 110 may have a length of between about 4 in. and about 2 ft., between about 6 in. and about 1 ft., or in one embodiment the horizontal member 110 may be about 8 inches in length. The vertical member 112 may have a length of between about 6 in. and about 1 ft., between about 7 in. and about 11 in. In one embodiment the horizontal member 110 may be about 9 in. in length, and may be suitable for a user that is approximately ages 6-10. In another embodiment, the horizontal member 110 may be about 11 in. in length, and may be suitable for a user that is approximately ages 11 and up. Generally, the cross member 114 may have a length of between about 3 in. and about 1 ft. In one embodiment, the cross member 114 has a length of about 4 in. In another embodiment, the cross member 114 has a length of about 8 in. However, it should be understood that the lengths of the horizontal member 110, vertical member 112, and cross member 114 may be of any length desired by the user to reinforce and/or teach proper passing technique.
In the embodiments described herein the horizontal member 110, the vertical member 112, and/or the cross member 114 may be covered with a padding material, such as foam rubber or similar padding material, to cushion impacts with the guide post 108.
Similarly, the vertical member 112 comprises a first telescoping member 112A which is slidably engaged with a second telescoping member 112B. The first telescoping member 112A may be extended from and retracted into the second telescoping member 112B and secured with a thumb screw 112C. In this embodiment, the second telescoping member 112B of the vertical member 112 is secured to the first telescoping member 110A with an elbow 113.
Similarly, the vertical member 112 comprises a first telescoping member 112A which is slidably engaged with a second telescoping member 112B. The first telescoping member 112A may be extended from and retracted into the second telescoping member 112B and secured with a jam nut 112D. In this embodiment, the second telescoping member 112B of the vertical member 112 is secured to the first telescoping member 110A with an elbow 113.
In another embodiment, the horizontal member 110, vertical member 112, and/or the cross member 114 may be disassembled and replacement parts of varying lengths may be inserted, thus changing the size and/or length of the guide post 108 to fit a given user properly.
The methods of using the quarterback training device will now be described with specific reference to
The user 200 starts with the football at the carriage position, wherein the football is held near the sternum of the user 200. The user 200 then takes the football back from the carriage position to a prerelease/loaded position as shown in
While transitioning from the carriage position to the pre-release/loaded position, the user 200 must move his throwing arm and the football through the space between the guide post 108 of the football passer training device 100 and the side of the user's body, such that the user's arm and the football remain close to the user's body. Specifically, it is desirable for a user 200 to stay compact when throwing a football by not allowing their arms and/or elbows to move outside the framework of the body. The guide post 108 forces the user 200 to remain compact in his movement from carriage position to prerelease/loaded position. If the user 200 does not remain compact during this takeaway motion, the user's arm and/or the football will contact the guide post 108, thereby interfering with the takeaway motion and providing the user 200 with immediate feedback that he is not using correct form and that he is too wide in his takeaway and needs to restart the takeaway.
Referring now to
The training device may be used on a consistent schedule, such as, for example, 10 minutes per day for two weeks, followed by use twice a week thereafter. The training device herein may be suitable for persons of all ages who wish to improve football throwing mechanics.
The football passer training device may also be used in conjunction with video analysis to further teach and/or reinforce proper throwing mechanics. Specifically, video footage of the user using the football passer training device may be taken and, following the training session, the video footage may be analyzed by a training staff and/or the user as a training tool. In particular, the positioning of the user's arm relative to the guide post of the football passer training device may be used as a visual aid to “coach” the user through proper throwing mechanics and illustrate both proficiencies and deficiencies in different aspects of the user's takeaway, delivery, and follow through.
It should now be understood that the football passer training device of the present disclosure may be used to reinforce proper throwing mechanics by providing immediate feedback to the user when improper technique is used. Moreover, repetitive use of the football passer training device facilitates the development of muscle memory for proper throwing mechanics, thereby improving a user's throwing mechanics.
It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.
While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Claims
1. A training device for improving football passing technique, the training device comprising: wherein when the training device is positioned around the waist of the user, the substantially horizontal member is positioned below the passing-arm side axilla of the user.
- a belt member for attachment to the waist of a user; and
- a guide post attached to the belt member, the guide post comprising: a base member coupled to the belt member; a substantially horizontal member coupled to the base member and projecting outward from the belt member; a substantially vertical member coupled to the substantially horizontal member, the substantially vertical member projecting upward from the substantially horizontal member; and a cross member coupled to the substantially vertical member and projecting forward and backward from an attachment point of the cross member with the substantially vertical member;
2. The training device of claim 1, wherein the substantially vertical member, the substantially horizontal member, and the cross member are mutually orthogonal.
3. The training device of claim 1, further comprising a cushioning material positioned around at least one of the substantially vertical member, the substantially horizontal member, and the cross member.
4. The training device of claim 1, wherein a length of the substantially horizontal member is adjustable relative to the base member.
5. The training device of claim 4, wherein the substantially horizontal member comprises a first horizontal telescoping member slidably engaged with a second horizontal telescoping member such that the first horizontal telescoping member is extendable and retractable relative to the second horizontal telescoping member.
6. The training device of claim 4, wherein the length of the substantially horizontal member is adjustable by replacing the substantially horizontal member with a replacement substantially horizontal member that has a different length.
7. The training device of claim 1, wherein a length of the substantially vertical member is adjustable relative to the substantially horizontal member.
8. The training device of claim 7, wherein the substantially vertical member comprises a first vertical telescoping member slidably engaged with a second vertical telescoping member such that the first vertical telescoping member may be extended from and retracted relative to the second vertical telescoping member.
9. The training device of claim 7, wherein the length of the substantially vertical member is adjustable by replacing the substantially vertical member with a replacement substantially vertical member that has a different length.
10. A training device for improving football passing technique, the training device comprising: wherein when the training device is positioned around the waist of the user, the substantially horizontal member is positioned below the passing-arm side axilla of the user.
- a belt member for attachment to the waist of a user; and
- a guide post attached to the belt member, the guide post comprising: a base member coupled to the belt member; a substantially horizontal member coupled to the base member and projecting outward from the belt member, wherein a length of the substantially horizontal member is adjustable relative to the base member; a substantially vertical member coupled to the substantially horizontal member, the substantially vertical member projecting upward from the substantially horizontal member, wherein a length of the substantially vertical member is adjustable relative to the substantially horizontal member; and a cross member coupled to the substantially vertical member and projecting forward and backward from an attachment point of the cross member with the substantially vertical member;
11. The training device of claim 10, wherein the substantially vertical member, the substantially horizontal member, and the cross member are mutually orthogonal.
12. The training device of claim 10, further comprising a cushioning material positioned around at least one of the substantially vertical member, the substantially horizontal member, and the cross member.
13. The training device of claim 10, wherein the substantially horizontal member comprises a first horizontal telescoping member slidably engaged with a second horizontal telescoping member such that the first horizontal telescoping member is extendable and retractable relative to the second horizontal telescoping member.
14. The training device of claim 10, wherein the length of the substantially horizontal member is adjustable by replacing the substantially horizontal member with a replacement substantially horizontal member that has a different length.
15. The training device of claim 10, wherein the substantially vertical member comprises a first vertical telescoping member slidably engaged with a second vertical telescoping member such that the first vertical telescoping member may be extended from and retracted relative to the second vertical telescoping member.
16. The training device of claim 10, wherein the length of the substantially vertical member is adjustable by replacing the substantially vertical member with a replacement substantially vertical member that has a different length.
17. A training device for improving football passing technique, the training device comprising: wherein when the training device is positioned around the waist of the user, the substantially horizontal member is positioned below the passing-arm side axilla of the user.
- a belt member for attachment to the waist of a user; and
- a guide post attached to the belt member, the guide post comprising: a base member coupled to the belt member; a substantially horizontal member coupled to the base member and projecting outward from the belt member, wherein a length of the substantially horizontal member is adjustable relative to the base member and the substantially horizontal member comprises a first horizontal telescoping member slidably engaged with a second horizontal telescoping member such that the first horizontal telescoping member is extendable and retractable relative to the second horizontal telescoping member; a substantially vertical member coupled to the substantially horizontal member, the substantially vertical member projecting upward from the substantially horizontal member, wherein a length of the substantially vertical member is adjustable relative to the substantially horizontal member and the substantially vertical member comprises a first vertical telescoping member slidably engaged with a second vertical telescoping member such that the first vertical telescoping member may be extended from and retracted relative to the second vertical telescoping member; and a cross member coupled to the substantially vertical member and projecting forward and backward from an attachment point of the cross member with the substantially vertical member;
18. The training device of claim 17, wherein the substantially vertical member, the substantially horizontal member, and the cross member are mutually orthogonal.
19. The training device of claim 17, further comprising a cushioning material positioned around at least one of the substantially vertical member, the substantially horizontal member, and the cross member.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 19, 2012
Publication Date: Jul 11, 2013
Inventor: Patrick McLaughlin (Morrow, OH)
Application Number: 13/423,457
International Classification: A63B 69/00 (20060101);