Athletic Training Apparatus and Method
An apparatus for training an athlete. The apparatus comprises an arm frame having a first and second end, wherein the first end contains a wheel unit and the second end contains an engaging pad member, and a support frame attached to the arm frame. The support frame has an upper lateral member in axial alignment with the wheel unit and a leg member, wherein the leg member contains a distal end that is attached to the arm frame and a proximal end that engages the ground. A horn is included on the lateral member and is adapted to receive a weight.
This application claims priority of Provisional Application No. 61/672,511, filed on 17 Jul. 2012, and entitled “Athletic Training Apparatus and Method.”
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAn athlete's training regime may include many different components. For instance, an athlete must pay close attention to strength conditioning and cardiovascular training. A proper diet is also important. For sports requiring contact, such as football, proper balancing techniques are critical.
As those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, prior art football sleds have been used for training. Prior art football sleds are two-dimensional in that they go only where the player pushes or pulls them i.e. forward, backward, left, and right. Prior art football sleds suffer from many disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn apparatus for training an athlete, such as a football player, is disclosed. The apparatus includes an arm frame having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end contains a wheel unit and the second end contains an engaging pad. The apparatus also contains a support frame attached to the arm frame, with the support frame having an upper lateral member in axial alignment with the wheel and a leg member. The leg member may contain a distal end that is attached to the arm frame and a proximal end that engages the ground.
In one embodiment, the engaging pad comprises a pair of grab handles attached to the arm frame, a central pad operatively attached to the arm frame, and a spring biasing the central pad in an extended position so that the central pad reciprocates with an applied force. Also, the wheel unit may contain a tension member for selectively applying tension to the wheel unit. In one embodiment, the proximal end may contain roller cylinders for engaging the ground, or alternatively, the proximal end may contain a sled attachment. In one embodiment, the leg member may contain telescoping members so that the height of the support frame can be adjusted. As per the teachings of this disclosure, the upper lateral member may contain a horn, with the horn being adapted to accept a weight member.
In yet another embodiment, an apparatus for training an athlete is disclosed. In this embodiment, an arm frame contains a first and second end, wherein the first end contains a wheel unit and the second end contains an engaging pad member. The apparatus also includes a base frame attached to the arm frame, with the base frame having a ground support, a lateral member attached at one end to the wheel unit and attached at the second end to the base frame, with the lateral member extending parallel with the arm frame, and wherein the lateral member contains a first horn capable of receiving a first weight and a second horn capable of receiving a second weight thereon. The first horn may be positioned approximately over the plane of the wheel unit and the second horn may be positioned between the engaging pad and the first horn. In one embodiment, the first weight on the first horn raises the center of mass of the apparatus and the second weight on the second horn provides a resistance to movement of the wheel unit.
In one embodiment, the engaging pad member 12 comprises a pair of grab handles 24 and 26 wherein an athlete can grab handles 24, 26 with his/her hands. The grab handles 24, 26 can be made removable.
Referring now to
In the method of using the apparatus 2, the athlete may engage the grab handles 24, 26 with his/her hands.
As seen in
In one embodiment, the apparatus provides for a third dimension (versus the two-dimensional prior art devices), one that stimulates what is actually experienced by player on the line, i.e. the core balance component. Balance is key to success in any sport and football lineman should be trained in core balance techniques. Also, players must be taught efficient and effective techniques. In football, this includes teaching players to drive their opponents off the ball while maintaining balance at the same time.
Another feature of one embodiment is the adjustable starting heights using the telescoping members 42a, 42b. Yet another feature of one embodiment is the adjustable lift loads utilizing the horns 50, 52 and weights. Still yet another feature of one embodiment is the option of varying the drive force needed by the athlete by increasing or decreasing tension of the tension member 22.
Important skills include maintaining a low center of gravity, instantaneous explosion of the hips, correcting footwork, proper hand positioning, keeping back properly aligned, bending sufficiently at the knees, and taking short, rapid driving steps while at the same time maintaining balance. A feature of one embodiment is the disclosed apparatus provides for aiding in the development of these skills. The apparatus disclosed provides for a lift, drive and balance design.
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.
Claims
1. An apparatus for training football player comprising:
- an arm frame having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end contains a wheel unit and said second end contains an engaging pad member; and
- a support frame attached to said arm frame, said support frame having an upper lateral member in axial alignment with said wheel and a leg member, wherein said leg member contains a distal end is attached to said arm frame and a proximal end that engages the ground.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said engaging pad member comprises:
- a pair of grab handles attached to said arm frame;
- a central pad pivotly attached to said arm frame; and,
- a spring biasing said central pad in an extended position so that said central pad reciprocates when a force is applied.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said wheel unit contains a tension member for selectively applying tension to said wheel unit.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said proximal end of said leg members contain a cylinder for engaging the ground.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said leg member has a plurality of telescoping members so that the height of said support frame can be adjusted.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said upper lateral member contains a horn, said horn being adapted to accept a weight member.
7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said proximal end of said leg members contain a sled attachment for engaging the ground.
8. An apparatus for training an athlete comprising:
- an arm frame having a first end and as second end, wherein said first end contains a wheel unit and said second end contains an engaging pad member;
- a base frame attached to said arm frame, said base frame having a ground support;
- a lateral member, attached at one end to the wheel unit and attached at the second end to the base frame, wherein said lateral member extends parallel with said arm frame.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said lateral member contains a first horn and a second horn positioned thereon, and wherein the first horn is positioned approximately over the plane of the wheel unit.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said engaging pad member comprises:
- a pair of grab handles attached to said arm frame;
- a central pad operatively attached to said arm frame; and,
- a spring biasing said central pad in an extended position so that said central pad reciprocates when a force is applied by the athlete.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said wheel unit contains a tension member for selectively applying tension to said wheel unit.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said proximal end contain cylinders for engaging the ground.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said leg member has telescoping members so that the height of said support frame can be adjusted.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said proximal end contains a sled attachment for engaging the ground.
15. An apparatus for training an athlete comprising:
- an arm frame having a first end and as second end, wherein said first end contains a wheel unit and said second end contains an engaging pad member;
- a base frame attached to said arm frame, said base frame having a ground support;
- a lateral member, attached at one end to the wheel unit and attached at the second end to the base frame, wherein said lateral member extends parallel with said arm frame, and wherein said lateral member contains a first horn capable of receiving a first weight and a second horn capable of receiving a second weight thereon, and wherein the first horn is positioned approximately over the plane of the wheel unit and said second horn is positioned between said engaging pad and said first horn.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said first weight on the first horn raises a center of mass of the apparatus and wherein said second weight on the second horn provides a resistance to movement of the apparatus.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said engaging pad member comprises:
- a pair of grab handles attached to said arm frame
- a central pad operatively attached to said arm frame; and,
- a spring biasing said central pad in an extended position so that said central pad reciprocates when a force is applied by the athlete.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said wheel unit contains a tension member for selectively applying tension to said wheel unit.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said proximal end contain cylinders for engaging the ground.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said leg member has telescoping members so that the height of said support frame can be adjusted.
21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said proximal end contains a sled attachment for engaging the ground.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 4, 2012
Publication Date: Jan 23, 2014
Inventor: Gerald George (Lafayette, LA)
Application Number: 13/693,116
International Classification: A63B 69/34 (20060101);