SPORTS TRAINING TOOLS, DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

Abstract

A sports training level system is disclosed including a set of training level cards associated with a sport, wherein each of the training level cards correlate to a different training level and identify a set of training skills catagories for that training level. The training level cards including a training level identifier printed on a first side of each of the training level cards; and a list of specific training skills for each of the training skills catagories printed on a second side of each of the training level cards, wherein the list of specific training skills correlate with the training level identified on the training level card; and wherein the specific training skills become more advanced at each progressive training level. A training device and kit is also disclosed.

Description

1. RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/077,551, filed on Nov. 10, 2014, entitled “Soccer Training Tools, Devices, Systems, and Methods”; the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

2. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to training devices and methods and more particularly to sports training tools, devices, systems, and methods.

3. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the challenges that atheletes have is that they rely heavily on coaches to give them the activities that they can use to develop their technical abilities in their respective sport(s). Currently, players go to training events and do the training activities that coaches lay out for them. Players simply follow the instructions of their coaches and don't necessarily take ownership in their own development. Additionally, there is a general lack of training resources that coaches can use for developing players in their respective sport(s).

There is a need for training devices and methods that allow athletes to take ownership of their own atheletic development in their particular sport(s).

There is also a need for training devices and methods that provide improved training resources that coaches can use for developing players in their particular sport(s).

4. BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment the invention provides a training level card system. The training level card system may include a set of training level cards associated with a sport, wherein each of the training level cards correlate to a different training level and identify a set of training skills catagories for that training level. The training level cards may include a training level identifier printed on a first side of each of the training level cards; and a list of specific training skills for each of the training skills catagories printed on a second side of each of the training level cards, wherein the list of specific training skills correlate with the training level identified on the training level card; and wherein the specific training skills become more advanced at each progressive training level. A first one of the training level cards preferably correlates to a training level one (1), a second one of the training level cards preferably correlates to a training level two (2), a third one of the training level cards preferably correlates to a training level three (3), and so on (e.g., . . . a N training level card correlates to a training level N′). The training level cards may further include a differentiating color and/or design pattern from one another. The differentiating color and/or design pattern may be disposed on a border region of the first and/or second side of the training level cards. The training level card system may further include a completion indicator associated with each of the listed specific training skills, wherein a player and/or coach/trainer can mark each of the completion indicators as the associated training skill is completed by the player. The completion indicator may be one of a check box or check line. The training level card system may further include training level completion indicators, wherein each of the training level completion indicators correlate to an associated training level identified on the training level cards. The training level completion indicators may be of substantially the same color and/or design pattern as that of their associated training level card. The training level completion indicators may include any one of wrist bands, pins, buttons, badges, patches, and/or the like. The training level card system may further include a training level app, wherein the training level app comprises a series of displayable screens corresponding to the training level cards. The training level app may be loaded on one or more computing devices. One or more of the one or more computing devices may be a mobile computing device. The one or more mobile computing devices may be in communication with one or more other computing devices having the training level app loaded thereon, wherein training information from the one or more mobile computing devices is capable of being communicated to the one or more other computing devices. The training level app may be configured to allow a player and/or trainer/coach to record a player's progress with regard to specific training skills associated with a particular training level. The set of training skills catagories may include one or more of juggling, speed and agility, ball control, and passing and receiving. The the sport may include soccer.

In another embodiment the invention provides a training device. The training device may include a substantially flat elongated member having a first surface and a second surface; a center coupling mechanism; and wherein the center coupling mechanism may be partially fitted into a through-hole in the elongagted member such that a portion of the center coupling mechanism protrudes upward from the first surface of the elongagted member and a cavity is formed in the second surface of elongagted member at the side of the center coupling mechanism that is in the through-hole. The substantially flat elongated member may be about 30 inches in length, about 2.5 inches in width, and about 0.25 inches in thickness. The center coupling mechanism may be any of a magnet, a metal protrusion, a protruding alignment feature, pin, bolt, and screw. The magnet may be in the range of about 1 to 2 inches in diameter and about 0.25 inches in thickness. Two training devices may be pivotably coupled together via their center coupling mechanisms. The center coupling mechanisms may include one or more of a magnet, a metal protrusion, a protruding alignment feature, pin, bolt, and screw. The training device may further include one or more proximity sensors arranged along the length of the substantially flat elongated member for counting the number of times and/or rate a player crosses over from one side (or quadrent) of the device to another.

In yet another embodiment the invention provides a training kit. The training kit may include a training levelcard system. The training level card system may include a set of training level cards associated with a sport, wherein each of the training level cards correlate to a different training level and identify a set of training skills catagories for that training level. The training level cards may include a training level identifier printed on a first side of each of the training level cards; and a list of specific training skills for each of the training skills catagories printed on a second side of each of the training level cards, wherein the list of specific training skills correlate with the training level identified on the training level card; and wherein the specific training skills become more advanced at each progressive training level. The training kit may include training level completion indicators, wherein each of the training level completion indicators correlate to an associated training level identified on the training level cards; and one or more training devices. The one or more training devices may include a substantially flat elongated member having a first surface and a second surface; a center coupling mechanism; and wherein the center coupling mechanism is partially fitted into a through-hole in the elongagted member such that a portion of the center coupling mechanism protrudes upward from the first surface of the elongagted member and a cavity is formed in the second surface of elongagted member at the side of the center coupling mechanism that is in the through-hole. The training kit may further include a training level app, wherein the training level app may include a series of displayable screens corresponding to the training level cards. The training level app may be loaded on one or more computing devices. One or more of the one or more computing devices may include a mobile computing device. The training level completion indicators comprise any one of wrist bands, pins, buttons, badges, and patches.

These and other embodiments will be apparent from the ensuing specification.

5. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the presently disclosed subject matter in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying Drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the presently disclosed sports training kit comprising training tools, devices, and systems;

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show examples of training level cards of the presently disclosed training kit;

FIG. 4 shows examples of training level wrist bands of the presently disclosed training kit;

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show an example of a training mobile app that substantially mirrors the training level card system;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a training system that uses the training mobile app shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates perspective views of an example of the training device of the presently disclosed training kit;

FIG. 9 illustrates a front view, side view, and back view of the training device shown in FIG. 8, showing more details thereof;

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B show more details of the assembly of the training device shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates a plan view of two training devices coupled together to form a cross configuration;

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B show more details of coupling the two training devices together; and

FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B show two configurations of the training device when in use.

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The presently disclosed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated Drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

The disclosed subject matter provides sports training tools, devices, systems, and methods. For example, for a particular sport the training kit may include a training level card system, training level wrist bands, a training level mobile app and system, and/or a training device for the particular sport.

While the invention will be described below with reference to soccer, it should be appreciated that the disclosed subject matter is not limited to soccer, but is applicable to multiple sports, including but not limited to, football, baseball, basketball, etc.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a training kit 100 comprising a training level card system 105, a set of training level wrist bands 130, a training level mobile app 140, and/or a training device 150. Training level card system 105 typically includes a set of training level cards 110, wherein each training level card 110 correlates to a different training level, respectively. In one non-limiting example, training level card system 105 may include seven (7) training level cards 110. Namely, a first training level card 110 correlates to a training level 1, a second training level card 110 correlates to a training level 2, a third training level card 110 correlates to a training level 3, and so on to a seventh soccer training level card 110 that correlates to a training level 7.

Each training level card 110 is preferably differentiated by a color and the specific activities associated with that level. In one non-limiting example, the level 1 training level card 110 may be white, the level 2 training level card 110 may be yellow, the level 3 training level card 110 may be orange, the level 4 training level card 110 may be blue, the level 5 training level card 110 may be green, the level 6 training level card 110 may be brown, and the level 7 training level card 110 may be black.

Training level card system 105 can be used as an accountability system for players. Training level cards 110 allow players to hold themselves accountable to specified training goals. In one example, each training level card 110 may have multiple skills categories that can be used for personal evaluation and/or coaches' evaluations. The skills categories may be, for example with regard to soccer, juggling, speed and agility, ball control, and passing and receiving.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show examples of training level cards 110 (e.g., for soccer) of training level card system 105 of the presently disclosed training kit 100. Namely, FIG. 2 shows an example training level card 110 (e.g., a level 1 soccer training level card), which may be white and/or have a patterned design (or other color or pattern different from that of the other training level cards 110), and FIG. 3 shows an example of another training level card 110 (e.g., a level 4 soccer training level card, which may be blue and/or have a patterned design (or other color or pattern different from that of the other training level cards 110). Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the front and/or back sides of each of the soccer training level card 110, may, in one example, have a border area 112 that is color-coded (or patterned) per the skill level, for example as described above. In one example, a front side of each training level card 110 may have a symbol 114 of a training entity that is using and/or supplying training level cards 110. Further, training level card 110 may include printed text 116 on the front side of each training level card 110 that indicates the card skill level (e.g., printed text 116 in FIG. 2 is “LEVEL 1 SKILL CARD”). In one example, the back side of each training level card 110 has a printed area 118 that shows, for example, the skills categories (e.g., for soccer juggling, speed and agility, ball control, and passing and receiving), and a list of specific skills to be achieved and checked off in each category (e.g., for level 1 soccer training level card “Juggles w Feet 50-100”, “Juggles w Head 3-5”, etc.). Further, training level card 110 may be laminated and/or hole-punched (e.g., hole 120) for durability and for players to be able to transport easily, for example, carry on their equipment bag, such as a soccer bag. Additionally, a carabineer clip (not shown) may be provided with training level cards 110 as a mechanism for players to secure the cards to, for example, their backpacks.

Once a player completes the activities on a given training level card 110, the player may be given, a corresponding training level wrist band 130, examples of which are shown in FIG. 4. For example, when a player completes the activities on the level 1 training level card 110, the player is given a training level wrist band 130 that is preferably of the same color and/or design pattern as the level 1 training level card 110 (e.g., white); when a player completes the activities on the level 2 training level card 110, which for the purposes of this example is yellow, the player is given a yellow training level wrist band 130; when a player completes the activities on the level 3 training level card 110, which for the purposes of this example is orange, the player is given an orange training level wrist band 130; and so on to the last level (e.g., level 7 training level card 110). Training level wrist bands 130 may be formed of any suitable material, and preferably is formed of a flexible and stretchable material. Further, training level wrist bands 130 may come in different sizes depending on the ages of the players.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show an example of a training mobile app 140 that substantially mirrors soccer training level card system 105. Training mobile app 140 can be used on any mobile phone, smartphone, tablet device, and the like. In one example, FIG. 5 shows a screenshot of training mobile app 140 loaded on a mobile phone or smartphone 510. FIG. 6 shows training mobile app 140 when in use on mobile phone or smartphone 510. For example, a user may swipe through windows that include substantially the same information as on the level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 training level cards 110, respectively. Using the touchscreen, the user may check and uncheck specific skills.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a training system 700 that uses the training mobile app 140 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Associated with soccer training system 700 is one or more soccer players 710 and at least one trainer/coach 715. Each of the players 710 has a mobile phone or smartphone 510 with training mobile app 140 loaded and running thereon. Trainer/coach 715 has one or more computing devices 720 that can be used to collect information from the training mobile apps 140 of the soccer players 710.

Computing devices 720 can be any desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet device, mobile phone, smartphone, and the like. Training mobile app 140 is running on the computing device 720 of coach 715. In training system 700, training information can be transmitted in wireless fashion (e.g., using the cellular network or Bluetooth® technology) from the mobile phones or smartphones 510 of soccer players 710 to the computing device 720 of coach 715. Training mobile app 140 on the computing device 720 of coach 715 has the capability to process and display information from multiple players 710. Accordingly, using training mobile app 140 on computing device 720, coach 715 is able to remotely monitor the progress of multiple players 710, and in real time.

Training level card system 105 and/or training mobile app 140 provide a recording system that allows players to track their development. In one example, using training level card system 105 and/or soccer training mobile app 140, players may evaluate themselves on specific evaluation days, for example, as may be defined by their coach and/or trainer. Using training level card system 105 and/or training mobile app 140, players can record their accomplishments once given the direction to complete a specific task on their evaluation day. Players that do not achieve a specific activity at evaluation may be given the opportunity to practice until the next evaluation period. Once a player completes all activities on a given training level card 110, the players receive a training level wrist band 130 that is associated with the level they just accomplished. Players may then issued, or move on to, the next level training level card 110. Players may also be given the opportunity to compare their achievements with other players so that they can also receive peer motivation and recognition of their abilities.

Accordingly, an aspect of training level card system 105 and/or training mobile app 140 is that they can be used to encourage soccer players to take ownership in developing their own skills. Namely, training level card system 105 and/or training mobile app 140 allows players to take ownership in their development by recording their accomplishments from activities achieved. Using training level card system 105 and/or training mobile app 140, players are motivated as they desire to master one level and move to the next level, which encourages players to train on their own.

An aspect of training level card system 105, training mobile app 140, and/or training system 700 is that they can provide coaches with additional resources for developing their players, and allowing coaches the time to focus on other aspects of soccer player development.

FIG. 8 shows a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view of an example of training device 150 which may be used with training kit 100. Training device 150 may be used alone or in combination with a second training device 150. Training device 150 is an athletic speed, agility, balance, and coordination training tool that is designed for players to be able to improve their athletic ability. Training device 150 may be used as a ball control technique development tool, e.g., to help soccer players develop better ball control. However, training device 150 is designed to be used by any athlete in just about any sport that requires speed, agility, and coordination development. Additionally, training device 150 can be coupled with a mobile app (e.g., training mobile app 140) which may provide videos for players to see demonstrations of the activities that can be performed using one or two training devices 150. Further, the mobile app (e.g., training mobile app 140) can provide players the opportunity to score themselves, to compare their scores with others, and/or to measure oneself to defined goals.

Training device 150 preferably includes a flat, elongated member 152 and a center coupling mechanism. In one example, the center coupling mechanism comprises a magnet 154 that is partially fitted into a through-hole (or thru-hole) in member 152 such that a portion of magnet 154 protrudes upward from a surface of member 152. In so doing, a cavity 156 is formed in elongated member 152 at the side of magnet 154 that is in the through-hole. The magnetic center of training device 150 allows for two training devices 150 to be connected in a cross configuration for different training agility exercises. More details of training device 150 are shown and described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 9, FIG. 10A, and FIG. 10B.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front view, side view, and back view of training device 150 shown in FIG. 8, showing more details thereof. Member 152 has a length L, a width w, and a thickness t. In one example, the length L of member 152 is about 30 inches, the width w of member 152 is about 2.5 inches, and the thickness t of member 152 is about 0.25 inches. Member 152 can be formed of any rigid and strong material, such as wood, composite wood, fiberglass, plastic, or the like, that is able to withstand being stepped on. In one example, the two ends of member 152 are rounded, but the ends can be squared off, angled, or any other shape. Further, a through-hole 158 can be provided in one or both ends of member 152 by which training device 150 can be hung on the wall for easy storage. In one example, the diameter of through-hole 158 is in the range of about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch. FIG. 9 also shows magnet 154 installed at about the center of member 152. In one example, magnet 154 is in the range of about 1 inch to about 2 inches in diameter and is about 0.25 inches thick.

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B show more details of installing magnet 154 in member 152 of training device 150. Namely, a through-hole 160 is provided at about the center of member 152. Through-hole 160 is sized to receive magnet 154. Magnet 154 can be press-fitted, adhered, or both into through-hole 160. Namely, only a portion of magnet 154 is fitted into through-hole 160 so that a portion of magnet 154 protrudes upward from the surface of member 152. In so doing, cavity 156 is formed in elongated member 152 at the side of magnet 154 that is in through-hole 160.

FIG. 11 shows a plan view of two training devices 150 (e.g., 150A, 150B) coupled together to form a cross configuration. In one example, when using training devices 150A, 150B, the protruding portion of magnet 154 in training device 150B is fitted into cavity 156 of training device 150A, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B. Because the opposite poles of the two magnets 154 attract, training devices 150A, 150B are held together by magnetic force.

The center coupling mechanism of training device 150 is not limited to a magnet in each training device 150. In other embodiments, one training device 150 includes magnet 154 while the second training device 150 includes a piece of metal in place of magnet 154. Again, the two are held together by magnetic force because the metal is attracted to the magnet. In yet other embodiments, magnet 154 is replaced with a protruding alignment feature that simply fits into cavity 156 and the two training devices 150 are laid on the ground and held by gravity and/or friction/pressure fit. In yet other embodiments, the center portions of two training devices 150 are pivotably connected in a substantially permanent fashion via a pin, bolt, or screw. In still other embodiments, the two training devices 150 are simply laid atop one another and aligned by eye, with no center coupling mechanism.

FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B show two configurations of training device 150 when in use. Namely, FIG. 13A shows one training device 150 on the ground with one side of training device 150 referenced as S1 and the other side of training device 150 referenced as S2. In one example, this configuration is used for ball control drills, e.g., soccer ball, in which the player stands on one side of training device 150 and uses the line of training device 150 as a guide for manipulating the ball back and forth in rapid motion. In another example, this configuration is used for speed and agility drills, in which the player steps back and forth over training device 150 (between S1 to S2) with a prescribed pattern, sequence, and rate.

FIG. 13B shows two training devices 150 (e.g., 150A, 150B) arranged in a cross configuration and laid on the ground with the quadrants referenced as Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4. In one example, this cross configuration is used for speed and agility drills, in which the player steps into Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 with a prescribed pattern, sequence, and rate.

In another embodiment, training device 150 may include mechanisms for counting the number of times a person steps across training device 150, which allows the user to track their speed, agility, balance and coordination progress. In one example, training device 150 may include one or more proximity sensors arranged along it length, wherein the one or more proximity sensors are electrically connected to a processor for keeping count of proximity events and then displaying (and/or recording) the count and/or rate to the user.

Further, soccer training device 150 may be finished in any manner. For example, soccer training device 150 may be painted or may have a glow in the dark finish so that players can work on training activities at night, or in low light environments.

In summary, training device 150 works by giving players an agility and speed obstacle to step over and work on specific activities designed to improve balance, coordination and heart monitoring. Players are given specific targeted goals to achieve and they may watch instructional/demonstration videos from a mobile app (e.g., training mobile app 140) in order to learn the different activities. Once players watch the videos they will be able to perform activities outlined in video and compare their performance with previous performances as well as to other athletes. Two soccer training devices 150 can fit together so that they can be positioned differently for different speed, balance, and agility exercises as well as different ball control exercises.

Training device 150 may be used for speed, agility and coordination development in a variety of sports, such as soccer, American football, basketball, running, and the like. Training device 150 also falls into the aerobic category for assisting with weight loss and therefore could be used by anyone attempting to lose weight through exercise and/or improve their cardiac health.

The foregoing detailed description of embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments having different structures and operations do not depart from the scope of the present invention. The term “the invention” or the like is used with reference to specific examples of the many alternative aspects or embodiments of the applicants' invention set forth in this specification, and neither its use nor its absence is intended to limit the scope of the applicants' invention or the scope of the claims. This specification is divided into sections for the convenience of the reader only. Headings should not be construed as limiting of the scope of the invention. The definitions are intended as a part of the description of the invention. It will be understood that various details of the present invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation.

Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth.

Throughout this specification, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

For the purposes of this specification, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, parameters, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments, ±100% in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions.

Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range.

Claims

1. A training level card system, comprising:

a. a set of training level cards associated with a sport, wherein each of the training level cards correlate to a different training level and identify a set of training skills catagories for that training level, the training level cards comprising: i. a training level identifier printed on a first side of each of the training level cards; and ii. a list of specific training skills for each of the training skills catagories printed on a second side of each of the training level cards, wherein the list of specific training skills correlate with the training level identified on the training level card; and wherein the specific training skills become more advanced at each progressive training level.

2. The training level card system of claim 1 wherein a first training level card correlates to a training level one (1), a second training level card correlates to a training level two (2), a third training level card correlates to a training level three (3),... a N training level card correlates to a training level N′.

3. The training level card system of claim 1 wherein the training level cards further comprise a differentiating color and/or design pattern from one another.

4. The training level card system of claim 2 wherein the differentiating color and/or design pattern is disposed on a border region of the first and/or second side of the training level cards.

5. The training level card system of claim 1 further comprising a completion indicator associated with each of the listed specific training skills, wherein a player and/or coach/trainer can mark each of the completion indicators as the associated training skill is completed by the player.

6. The training level card system of claim 5 wherein the completion indicator comprises one of a check box or line.

7. The training level card system of claim 1 further comprising training level completion indicators, wherein each of the training level completion indicators correlate to an associated training level identified on the training level cards.

8. The training level card system of claim 7 wherein the training level completion indicators are of substantially the same color and/or design pattern as that of their associated training level card.

9. The training level card system of claim 7 wherein the training level completion indicators comprise any one of wrist bands, pins, buttons, badges, and patches.

10. The training level card system of claim 1 further comprising a training level app, wherein the training level app comprises a series of displayable screens corresponding to the training level cards.

11. The training level card system of claim 10 wherein the training level app is loaded on one or more computing devices.

12. The training level card system of claim 10 wherein one or more of the one or more computing devices comprises a mobile computing device.

13. The training level card system of claim 12 wherein the one or more mobile computing devices are in communication with one or more other computing devices having the training level app loaded thereon, wherein training information from the one or more mobile computing devices is capable of being communicated to the one or more other computing devices.

14. The training level card system of claim 10 wherein the training level app is configured to allow a player and/or trainer/coach to record a player's progress with regard to specific training skills associated with a particular training level.

15. The training level card system of claim 1 wherein the set of training skills catagories comprise one or more of juggling, speed and agility, ball control, and passing and receiving.

16. The training level card system of claim 1 wherein the sport comprises soccer.

17. A training device, comprising:

a. a substantially flat elongated member having a first surface and a second surface;

b. a center coupling mechanism; and

wherein the center coupling mechanism is partially fitted into a through-hole in the elongagted member such that a portion of the center coupling mechanism protrudes upward from the first surface of the elongagted member and a cavity is formed in the second surface of elongagted member at the side of the center coupling mechanism that is in the through-hole.

18. The training device of claim 17 wherein the substantially flat elongated member is about 30 inches in length, about 2.5 inches in width, and about 0.25 inches in thickness.

19. The training device of claim 17 wherein the center coupling mechanism comprises any of a magnet, a metal protrusion, a protruding alignment feature, pin, bolt, and screw.

20. The training device of claim 19 wherein the magnet is in the range of about 1 to 2 inches in diameter and about 0.25 inches in thickness.

21. The training device of claim 17 wherein two training devices can be pivotably coupled together via their center coupling mechanisms.

22. The training device of claim 21 wherein the center coupling mechanisms comprise one or more of a magnet, a metal protrusion, a protruding alignment feature, pin, bolt, and screw.

23. The training device of claim 17 further comprising one or more proximity sensors arranged along the length of the substantially flat elongated member.

24. A training kit, comprising:

a. training levelcard system, comprising: i. a set of training level cards associated with a sport, wherein each of the training level cards correlate to a different training level and identify a set of training skills catagories for that training level, the training level cards comprising: a training level identifier printed on a first side of each of the training level cards; and a list of specific training skills for each of the training skills catagories printed on a second side of each of the training level cards, wherein the list of specific training skills correlate with the training level identified on the training level card; and wherein the specific training skills become more advanced at each progressive training level;

b. training level completion indicators, wherein each of the training level completion indicators correlate to an associated training level identified on the training level cards; and

c. one or more training devices, comprising i. a substantially flat elongated member having a first surface and a second surface; ii. a center coupling mechanism; and iii. wherein the center coupling mechanism is partially fitted into a through-hole in the elongagted member such that a portion of the center coupling mechanism protrudes upward from the first surface of the elongagted member and a cavity is formed in the second surface of elongagted member at the side of the center coupling mechanism that is in the through-hole.

25. The training kit of claim 24 further comprising a training level app, wherein the training level app comprises a series of displayable screens corresponding to the training level cards.

26. The training level card system of claim 25 wherein the training level app is loaded on one or more computing devices.

27. The training level card system of claim 26 wherein one or more of the one or more computing devices comprises a mobile computing device.

28. The training kit of claim 24 wherein the training level completion indicators comprise any one of wrist bands, pins, buttons, badges, and patches.