PRISMATIC BALL KICKING TRAINING AID AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

The present ball kicking training aid has a substantially rectangular prism-like shape, with at least one kicking face with a kicking instructional graphic that provides guidance to the practicing player on where to kick and how to kick a ball, such as a soccer ball, an American football, or similar. Because it is proper foot planting is important, at least one non-kicking face is provided to the side of the kicking face with a foot plant instructional graphic for the non-kicking foot. The players can practice multiple kicks in quick succession without the ball kicking training aid moving a substantial distance, so that the player can increase kicking skills in a short timeframe.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 62/451,591 filed Jan. 27, 2017 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to sports training aids, and more particularly to a practice bag for practicing ball kicking techniques and methods for the use thereof.

In sports that require kicking of a ball as part of gameplay, such as soccer, football (e.g., American football) rugby, and other similar games using spheroid or prolate spheroid (rounded or pointed) balls, proper kicking technique is of upmost importance. Thus, kicking proficiency requires numerous practice kicks over many hundreds of hours over the course of years. Techniques typically include passing and shooting the ball from certain angles.

However, when practicing kicking techniques in kicking drills using the actual game ball, the ball travels away from the player, and must be chased down and repositioned before the next kick can be executed. As a consequence, the player is prevented from continuously practicing kicks because after each kick they must retrieve the ball and begin again.

Yet another issue with using the game ball for kicking practice drills is that the game ball is rounded and provides little guidance to the beginner and intermediate players as to where and how to strike the ball. The ball may diverge from the player's intended path, leaving the player frustrated and unsure how to continue.

What is needed is a means for players to practice kicking techniques without chasing down the ball. What is also needed is a means for visually communicating proper kicking technique to the player.

Aspects of the present invention fulfill these needs and provide further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY

A training aid is provided herein for practicing proper kicking technique and generally comprises a body with a first kicking instructional graphic, a second kicking instructional graphic, a first foot plant instructional graphic, and a second foot plant instructional graphic. The body includes a first kicking face, a second kicking face opposite the first kicking face, a first non-kicking face spanning between the first kicking face and the second kicking face, a second non-kicking face opposite the first non-kicking face and spanning between the first kicking face and the second kicking face, a bottom face, and a top face opposite the bottom face.

The first kicking instructional graphic is on the first kicking face, with the first kicking instructional graphic communicates a first kicking instruction and a second kicking instruction, where the first kicking instruction communicates a first kicking orientation and a first kicking position, and the second kicking instruction communicates a second kicking orientation and a second kicking position. The second kicking instructional graphic is on the second kicking face and matches the first kicking instructional graphic. The first foot plant instructional graphic is on the first non-kicking face. The second foot plant instructional graphic is on the second non-kicking face.

Optionally, the body is a rectangular prism. Again, optionally, the body may include an outer shell constructed of a plurality of panels made of a pliable material, the first kicking face comprising a first panel of the pliable material, the second kicking face comprising a second panel of the pliable material, the first non-kicking face comprising a third panel of the pliable material, the second non-kicking face comprising a fourth panel of the pliable material, the top face comprising a fifth panel of the pliable material, and the bottom face comprising a sixth panel of the pliable material. The outer shell defines an interior space and may contain a fill material, where the fill material comprises one or more of a rag material, a sand material, and a grain material. The outer shell may include a reclosable opening for adding or removing the material.

As an option, the first kicking instruction of the first kicking instructional graphic on the first kicking face comprises an elongated horizontal graphic positioned below a middle portion of the first kicking face. The elongated horizontal graphic may communicate a horizontal foot kicking orientation. The second kicking instruction of the second kicking instructional graphic on the first kicking face may comprise an elongated diagonal graphic positioned through a middle portion of the first kicking face. The elongated diagonal graphic may communicate a diagonal foot kicking orientation. The first kicking instructional graphic may further comprise a third kicking instruction, the third kicking instruction comprises a second elongated diagonal graphic positioned through the middle portion of the first kicking face and intersecting the elongated diagonal graphic at the middle portion.

As yet another option, the first kicking instructional graphic comprises the first kicking instruction, the second kicking instruction, and a third kicking instruction, the first kicking instruction comprises an elongated horizontal graphic positioned below a middle portion of the first kicking face, the second kicking instruction comprises an elongated diagonal graphic positioned through the middle portion of the first kicking face, the third kicking instruction comprises a second elongated diagonal graphic positioned through the middle portion of the first kicking face and intersecting the elongated diagonal graphic at the middle portion.

A training aid is provided herein for practicing proper kicking technique and generally comprises a body with a kicking instructional graphic. The body is shaped as a rectangular prism and comprises a first kicking face. The kicking instructional graphic is located on the kicking face, where the first kicking instructional graphic communicates a first kicking instruction, a second kicking instruction, and a third kicking instruction. Where the first kicking instruction comprises an elongated horizontal graphic positioned below a middle portion of the first kicking face; the second kicking instruction comprises an elongated diagonal graphic positioned through the middle portion of the first kicking face; and the third kicking instruction comprises a second elongated diagonal graphic positioned through the middle portion of the first kicking face and intersecting the elongated diagonal graphic at the middle portion.

In another embodiment, a training aid is provided for practicing proper kicking technique and generally comprises a body comprising a kicking face, a first face opposite the kicking face, a non-kicking face spanning between the kicking face and the first face, a second face opposite the non-kicking face and spanning between the kicking face and the first face, a bottom face, and a top face opposite the bottom face; a kicking instructional graphic located on the kicking face, the kicking instructional graphic configured to communicate a kicking instruction comprising a kicking limb orientation relative to the kicking instructional graphic and a striking location on the kicking instructional graphic; and a foot plant instructional graphic on the non-kicking face configured to communicate a foot plant location relative to the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of the present invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front-first side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present kicking technique training aid, illustrating the first kicking face and the first non-kicking face;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the kicking technique training aid of FIG. 1, illustrating the first non-kicking face;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the kicking technique training aid of FIG. 1, illustrating the first kicking face;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the kicking technique training aid of FIG. 1, illustrating the handle and top face;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the kicking technique training aid of FIG. 1, illustrating the bottom face;

FIG. 6 is a front-second side perspective view of the kicking technique training aid of FIG. 1, illustrating a left foot passing practice kick on the first kicking face with guidance from the second non-kicking face, with the player's feet and legs shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 7 is a front-second side perspective view of the kicking technique training aid of FIG. 1, illustrating a left foot shooting practice kick on the first kicking face with guidance from the second non-kicking face;

FIG. 8 is a front-first side perspective view of the kicking technique training aid of FIG. 1, illustrating a right foot passing practice kick on the first kicking face with guidance from the first non-kicking face;

FIG. 9 is a front-first side perspective view of the kicking technique training aid of FIG. 1, illustrating a right foot shooting practice kick on the first kicking face with guidance from the first non-kicking face;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the kicking technique training aid of FIG. 1, illustrating a tandem player right foot practice kick, where two opposing players simultaneously kick the respective kicking faces of the training aid; and

FIG. 11 is a top view of the kicking technique training aid of FIG. 1, illustrating a tandem player left foot practice kick, where two opposing players simultaneously kick the respective kicking faces of the training aid.

The above described drawing figures illustrate aspects of the invention in at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are further defined in detail in the following description. Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First looking at FIG. 1, an example embodiment of the present training aid 20 is illustrated showing in perspective the first kicking face 24 and the adjoining first non-kicking face 48, as well as the top face 34 and the bottom face 32. The training aid 20 is generally or substantially shaped as a rectangular prism, in that it has six faces, with either flat faces, slightly bulging faces, slightly concave faces, irregular faces (e.g., lumpy, or the like) or a combination of one or more of these features or imperfections. Thus, when the terms “rectangular prism”, “cube”, or the like is used herein, the shape may or may not be a mathematically perfect rectangular prism or cube, and may deviate in shape or flatness from the mathematical model by a small or large degree, such as by as much as 0.5″, or by as much as 1″, or by as much as 2″, or by as much as 3″. This is due to imperfect manufacturing techniques when a bag-like structure is sewn together and stuffed with material to fill the bag, which may cause an irregular surface, bulging, concavities, crooked sides, and other manufacturing errors which do not substantially affect the training aid's 20 performance. Further, upon use, the training aid 20 may deform upon kicking, dropping, adding or removing the filler material, upon manual reshaping, and so on. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the training aid 20 may be constructed of a pliable material shell 21 with a filler material stuffed within or of a unitary molded construction, such as an expanding foam body with an optional weighted core. The pliable material shell (or bag) 21 may be made of a nylon material, a leather material, a canvas material, and the like. The fill material (not shown) may be made of a rag material, a sand material, a grain material, or other appropriate fill material.

Printed, embroidered, or otherwise illustrated is a kicking instructional graphic 40 on the first kicking face 24 and a foot plant instructional graphic 48 on the first non-kicking face 28. The kicking instructional graphic 40 on the first kicking face 24 illustrates at least a first kicking instruction 42, and optionally a second kicking instruction 44, and further optionally a third kicking instruction 46. In this example embodiment, the first kicking instruction 42 is a horizontal bar or other horizontal elongated graphic that communicates a passing technique. When referring to the horizontal, it is generally assumed that the bottom face 32 is resting on a support surface, such as a field, floor, or other suitable surface, and the first kicking instruction 42 is substantially parallel to the support surface and/or the one or more seams or edges of the training aid 20, for example, less than 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8,20 , 9°, or 10° of being parallel to the reference. As an option, the first kicking instruction 42 may include a written instruction, such as “PASSING”, “PASAR”, or other alphanumeric instruction in a language familiar to the player, and/or a symbol.

The foot plant instructional graphic 48 (which may also be referred to as the non-kicking foot placement graphic) on the first non-kicking face 28 may be any instruction or graphic that reminds the player to plant the non-kicking foot approximately next to the first non-kicking face 28 of the training aid 20 (e.g., to the side of or adjacent to the first non-kicking face 28, optionally offset from the first non-kicking face 28, depending on the player's natural or trained planted foot position). In the illustrated example, the foot plant instructional graphic 48 is a schematically illustrated foot facing in any direction (such as forward or backwards) with an arrow pointed downwards and towards the support surface upon with the bottom side 32 rests, with message “FOOT HERE” printed nearby. Much like the first kicking instruction 42, the foot plant instructional graphic 48 may be in any language and/or using any symbol to communicate to the player that the non-kicking foot should be planted adjacent to the foot plant instructional graphic 48.

The kicking instructional graphic 40 on the first kicking face 24 may further include the second kicking instruction 44, and optionally the third kicking instruction 46. In this example, the second kicking instruction 44 comprises a slanted bar (diagonal, or slanted relative to the reference, as discussed above). The angle at which the second kicking instruction 44 is slanted at a diagonal, and may be 45°, or an angle between approximately 40° and 50°, or an angle between approximately 35° and 55°, or an angle between approximately 30° and 60°. The second kicking instruction 44 may also include an alphanumeric instruction, such as the illustrated “SHOOTING” graphic. The third kicking instruction 46 is preferably transverse to the second kicking instruction 44 at a slant angle negative to the second kicking instruction 44 (for example, 45° and −45° or at another angle different than the second kicking instruction 44, but still transverse and possibly at a 90° to one another. The second kicking instruction 44 and third kicking instruction 46 are preferably slanted or angled bars or other slanted or angled elongated graphic that communicates shooting techniques for both the left and right feet when second kicking instruction 44 and third kicking instruction 46 are transverse to one another.

A ball graphic 50 may optionally be included as part of, next to, or behind the kicking instructional graphic 40, such as a schematic representation of a soccer ball, an American football, or similar game ball graphic. Preferably, the kicking instructions 42, 44, 46 are overlaid atop the ball graphic 50 so that as the player kicks a specific kicking instruction 42, 44, or 46, a part of the ball graphic 50 on which the specific kicking instruction 42, 44, or 46 are printed, the player associates the same parts on the actual game ball. For example, in this embodiment, the first kicking instruction 42 (or the “PASSING” instruction) is a horizontal bar laid over the bottom portion of the ball so that the player becomes accustomed to striking the ball in this general area with a specified foot position (described below), which will transfer to accurate kicking on the game ball, with sufficient practice.

A handle 36 is positioned above the top face 34 of the training aid 20, preferably sewn or otherwise attached to the top face 34 or even attached to the uppermost portions of one of the side faces. The handle 36 provides a means to carry the training aid 20 from place to place, and provides a purchase for a third person (e.g., a fellow player, parent, coach, etc.) to hold the ball in positons during kicking drills. Although inclusion of the handle 36 is preferred it is not required.

A reclosable opening 38 is provided beneath the handle 36 to permit the addition or removal of fill material or material for adding or decreasing the weight of the training aid 20. Generally, the training aid 20 weighs between approximately 8 to 12 pounds; although it may weigh more or less, depending on the player's training needs. Preferably the reclosable opening 38 is a zipper. The zipper tape can be sewn to the interior of the pliable material shell 21 with two flaps covering the zipper tape for aesthetic purposes and to protect the user from contact with the slider and pull tab of the zipper. Alternatively, the reclosable opening 38 can be any number of appropriate fasteners, such as hook and loop, buttons, and the like. Although inclusion of the reclosable opening 38 is preferred it is not required.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the various views of the present training aid 20. FIG. 2 shows the first non-kicking face 28 in plan view to show the foot plant instructional graphic 48 in greater detail. As stated above, the actual graphic design may vary so long as the foot plant instructional graphic 48 communicates to the player proper foot placement for the non-kicking foot. Thus, the illustrated side view of the disembodied foot and ankle are merely illustrative of one potential design. Further shown in FIG. 2 is the first kicking face 24 on the right, the second kicking face 26 to the left, the top face 34 above, and the bottom face 32 below. The second kicking face 26 may optionally have a kicking instructional graphic 40′ which preferably matches the kicking instructional graphic 40 on the first kicking face 24. However, the kicking instructional graphic 40′ on the second kicking face 26 is not required and may merely be blank, have a different graphic that is instructional or non-instructional (such as an advertisement, a color scheme, company information, or other graphic). The length L of the first non-kicking face 28 and the second non-kicking face 30 may optionally be longer than the height of the training aid 20 to increase the stability of the training aid 20 when being kicked on either the first kicking face 24 or the second kicking face 26 so that the training aid 20 with resist rolling or tumbling once kicking. However, it is preferred, but not required, that the training aid 20 move slightly to provide give so that the kick is partially absorbed to prevent foot and leg injuries (and also absorbed through deformation of the fill material). For example, each of the first kicking face 24 and the second kicking face 26 may have a length and height of 11″×11″; while the first non-kicking face 28 and the second non-kicking face 30 may have a length L of 14″ and a height of 11″.

In this example embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the second kicking face 26 includes a kicking instructional graphic 40′ substantially similar or the same as the kicking instructional graphic 40 on the first kicking face 24, including kicking instructions 42′, 44′, and 46′. The addition of a kicking instructional graphic 40′ on the second kicking face 26, on the face opposite the first kicking face 24, provides a second surface upon which a second player may kick as a first player kicks the opposing first kicking face 24. In this way, when the two kicks are in sync and approximately equal in force, the two player's kicks cancel each other out so that movement of the training aid 20 is minimized, although a coach may still hold the training aid 20 during the dual kicking drills. As can be seen in FIG. 5, a foot plant instructional graphic 48′ is printed on the second non-kicking face 30, opposite the first non-kicking face 28, which will instruct both players in proper foot planting during the dual kicking drills. Of course the additional kicking instructional graphic 40′ and foot plant instructional graphic 48′ may merely permit a single practicing player to walk up to either kicking face 24 or 26 and begin drills without rotating the training aid 20 or shifting position. Further, when the player is kicking the first kicking face 24 a second person can rest a foot on one or both of the second kicking surface 26 or the top face 34 (i.e., by stepping on the top edge and applying weight) to prevent movement of the training aid 20 during drills.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate at least two of the left-footed kicking drills that are practicable using the present training aid 20. An example passing drill is illustrated in FIG. 6, where the player steps up to the first kicking face 24 of the training aid 20, plants the right foot 52 next to the second non-kicking face 30 nearby the foot plant instructional graphic 48′, brings the left foot 54 back and ready for a kick, then, with the right foot 52 planted in place, swings the left foot 54 forward and toward the first kicking face 24, and contacting the first kicking instruction 42 (“PASSING”) with the inside of the shoe and with the left foot 54 (or sole of the shoe) approximately level with and parallel with the elongated first kicking instruction 42.

Another example passing drill is illustrated in FIG. 7, where the player steps up to the first kicking face 24 of the training aid 20, plants the right foot 52 next to the second non-kicking face 30 nearby the foot plant instructional graphic 48′, brings the left foot 54 back and ready for a kick, then, with the right foot 52 planted in place, swings the left foot 54 forward and toward the first kicking face 24, locking the ankle, and contacting the second kicking instruction 44 (“SHOOTING”) with the top or laces and perhaps the outside of the foot of the left foot 54, approximately parallel with and atop the elongated and slanted second kicking instruction 44.

FIG. 8 shows the passing drill of FIG. 6, except kicking with the right foot 52. Although both FIGS. 6 and 8 show the passing drill using the first kicking face 24, it can be appreciated that the same drills may be performed using the second kicking face 26. Similarly, FIG. 9 shows the shooting drill of FIG. 7, except kicking with the right foot 52. Although both FIGS. 7 and 9 show the shooting drill using the first kicking face 24, it can be appreciated that the same drills may be performed using the second kicking face 26.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show dual kicking drills, specifically right foot 52, 52′ passing drills, illustrating how two players in an opposed relationship can simultaneously kick the first kicking face 24 and the second kicking face 26 (where the feet of the players are illustrated somewhat like dance footprints). In FIG. 10, the first player plants the left foot 54 next to the first non-kicking face 28 and swings the left foot 52 into kicking contact with the first kicking face 24 with the kicking motion illustrated as an arrow next to the right foot 52. Simultaneously, the second player plants the left foot 54′ next to the second non-kicking face 30 and swings the left foot 52′ into kicking contact with the second kicking face 26 with the kicking motion illustrated as an arrow next to the right foot 52′. FIG. 11 shows that the players can quickly and simultaneously switch into kicking drills, specifically left foot 54, 54′ passing drills. The passing drill of FIG. 11, would be substantially the same as the passing drill of FIG. 10, except the players would use the left foot 54, 54′. It can be appreciated that, although simultaneous passing drills are illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, simultaneous shooting drills may also be practiced in a similar manner.

The present training aid 20 and method of use provides an extremely fast means for learning proper ball kicking techniques which can be easily transitions to actual game ball kicking. The cubic-like ball shape of the training aid 20 helps to prevent rolling so that the user can, in quick succession, kick the training aid multiple times, without chasing a ball or constant repositioning of the player's body. The number of kicks per minute increases dramatically compared to kicking drills using a rounded ball, enabling quick technique progression. Not only is the player's passing and shooting ability improved by practicing with the present training aid 20 improves balance, agility, stability, muscle memory, and confidence. Because a kick does not launch the training aid 20, it can be used indoors and outdoors, providing flexible and effective training during practice or solo.

In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular article, apparatus, methodology, protocol, etc., described herein, unless expressly stated as such. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that certain changes, modifications, permutations, alterations, additions, subtractions and sub-combinations thereof can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such changes, modifications, permutations, alterations, additions, subtractions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

Certain embodiments of the present invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the present invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of the present invention are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other group members disclosed herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in the present specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” As used herein, the term “about” means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified encompasses a range of plus or minus ten percent above and below the value of the stated characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical indication should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Use of the terms “may” or “can” in reference to an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment also carries with it the alternative meaning of “may not” or “cannot.” As such, if the present specification discloses that an embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may be or can be included as part of the inventive subject matter, then the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is also explicitly meant, meaning that an embodiment or an aspect of an embodiment may not be or cannot be included as part of the inventive subject matter. In a similar manner, use of the term “optionally” in reference to an embodiment or aspect of an embodiment means that such embodiment or aspect of the embodiment may be included as part of the inventive subject matter or may not be included as part of the inventive subject matter. Whether such a negative limitation or exclusionary proviso applies will be based on whether the negative limitation or exclusionary proviso is recited in the claimed subject matter.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and values setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical ranges and values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical range or value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Recitation of numerical ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate numerical value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value of a numerical range is incorporated into the present specification as if it were individually recited herein.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar references used in the context of describing the present invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, ordinal indicators—such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.—for identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate or imply a required or limited number of such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the present invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the present specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the open-ended transitional term “comprising” (and equivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof like including, containing and having) encompasses all the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps and/or features alone or in combination with unrecited subject matter; the named elements, limitations and/or features are essential, but other unnamed elements, limitations and/or features may be added and still form a construct within the scope of the claim. Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using the closed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” in lieu of or as an amended for “comprising.” When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, limitation, step, or feature not expressly recited in the claims. The closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the expressly recited elements, limitations, steps and/or features and any other elements, limitations, steps and/or features that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Thus, the meaning of the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” is being defined as encompassing all the specifically recited elements, limitations, steps and/or features as well as any optional, additional unspecified ones. The meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting of” is being defined as only including those elements, limitations, steps and/or features specifically recited in the claim whereas the meaning of the closed-ended transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” is being defined as only including those elements, limitations, steps and/or features specifically recited in the claim and those elements, limitations, steps and/or features that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter. Therefore, the open-ended transitional phrase “comprising” (and equivalent open-ended transitional phrases thereof) includes within its meaning, as a limiting case, claimed subject matter specified by the closed-ended transitional phrases “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” As such embodiments described herein or so claimed with the phrase “comprising” are expressly or inherently unambiguously described, enabled and supported herein for the phrases “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.”

Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

Claims

1) A training aid for practicing kicking techniques, the training aid comprising:

a body comprising a first kicking face, a second kicking face opposite the first kicking face, a first non-kicking face spanning between the first kicking face and the second kicking face, a second non-kicking face opposite the first non-kicking face and spanning between the first kicking face and the second kicking face, a bottom face, and a top face opposite the bottom face;

a first kicking instructional graphic on the first kicking face, the first kicking instructional graphic communicating a first kicking instruction and a second kicking instruction, the first kicking instruction communicating a first kicking orientation and a first kicking position, the second kicking instruction communicating a second kicking orientation and a second kicking position;

a second kicking instructional graphic on the second kicking face, the second kicking instructional graphic matching the first kicking instructional graphic;

a first foot plant instructional graphic on the first non-kicking face; and

a second foot plant instructional graphic on the second non-kicking face.

2) The training aid of claim 1 wherein the body is substantially shaped as a rectangular prism.

3) The training aid of claim 2 wherein the body comprises an outer shell constructed of a plurality of panels made of a pliable material, the first kicking face comprising a first panel, the second kicking face comprising a second panel, the first non-kicking face comprising a third panel, the second non-kicking face comprising a fourth panel, the top face comprising a fifth panel, and the bottom face comprising a sixth panel.

4) The training aid of claim 3 wherein the outer shell defines an interior space containing a fill material, the fill material comprising one or more of a rag material, a sand material, and a grain material.

5) The training aid of claim 4 wherein the outer shell further comprises a reclosable opening for adding or removing the material.

6) The training aid of claim 1 wherein the first kicking instruction of the first kicking instructional graphic on the first kicking face comprises an elongated horizontal graphic positioned below a middle portion of the first kicking face.

7) The training aid of claim 1 wherein the elongated horizontal graphic communicates a horizontal foot kicking orientation.

8) The training aid of claim 1 wherein the second kicking instruction of the second kicking instructional graphic on the first kicking face comprises an elongated diagonal graphic positioned through a middle portion of the first kicking face.

9) The training aid of claim 8 wherein the elongated diagonal graphic communicates a diagonal foot kicking orientation.

10) The training aid of claim 8 wherein the first kicking instructional graphic further comprises a third kicking instruction, the third kicking instruction comprises a second elongated diagonal graphic positioned through the middle portion of the first kicking face and intersecting the elongated diagonal graphic at the middle portion.

11) The training aid of claim 1 wherein the first kicking instructional graphic comprises the first kicking instruction, the second kicking instruction, and a third kicking instruction, the first kicking instruction comprises an elongated horizontal graphic positioned below a middle portion of the first kicking face, the second kicking instruction comprises an elongated diagonal graphic positioned through the middle portion of the first kicking face, the third kicking instruction comprises a second elongated diagonal graphic positioned through the middle portion of the first kicking face and intersecting the elongated diagonal graphic at the middle portion.

12) A training aid for practicing proper kicking technique, the training aid comprising:

a body substantially shaped as a rectangular prism comprising a first kicking face; and

a kicking instructional graphic located on the kicking face, the first kicking instructional graphic communicating a first kicking instruction, a second kicking instruction, and a third kicking instruction;

wherein the first kicking instruction comprises an elongated horizontal graphic positioned below a middle portion of the first kicking face, the second kicking instruction comprises an elongated diagonal graphic positioned through the middle portion of the first kicking face, the third kicking instruction comprises a second elongated diagonal graphic positioned through the middle portion of the first kicking face and intersecting the elongated diagonal graphic at the middle portion.

13) The training aid of claim 12 wherein the body comprises an outer shell constructed of a plurality of panels made of a pliable material, the outer shell defines an interior space containing a fill material, the fill material comprising one or more of a rag material, a sand material, and a grain material.

14) The training aid of claim 13 wherein the outer shell further comprises a reclosable opening for adding or removing the material.

15) The training aid of claim 12 wherein the body further comprises a second kicking face opposite the first kicking face, the second kicking instructional graphic matching the first kicking instructional graphic.

16) A training aid for practicing proper kicking technique, the training aid comprising:

a body comprising a kicking face, a first face opposite the kicking face, a non-kicking face spanning between the kicking face and the first face, a second face opposite the non-kicking face and spanning between the kicking face and the first face, a bottom face, and a top face opposite the bottom face;

a kicking instructional graphic located on the kicking face, the kicking instructional graphic configured to communicate a kicking instruction comprising a kicking limb orientation relative to the kicking instructional graphic and a striking location on the kicking instructional graphic; and

a foot plant instructional graphic on the non-kicking face configured to communicate a foot plant location relative to the body.

17) The training aid of claim 16 wherein the kicking instruction comprises one or more of an elongated horizontal graphic positioned below a middle portion of the kicking face, a first elongated diagonal graphic positioned across the kicking face, and a second elongated diagonal graphic positioned across the first kicking face and intersecting the first elongated diagonal graphic.

18) The training aid of claim 16 wherein the first face comprises a second kicking face with a second kicking instructional graphic located on the second kicking face the second face comprises a second non-kicking face with a second foot plant instructional graphic on the non-kicking face.