KICK TRAINING DEVICE TO MEASURE THE STRENGTH AND ACCURACY OF A DOMINANT AND WEAK LEG KICK

Abstract

A training device for performing a training kick includes a base adapted to be supported on a horizontal support surface. The device further includes a ball, a front frame attached to the base and defining a first slot, a rear frame attached to the base between the front frame and the rear side of the base, the rear frame defining a second slot, a ball holder assembly comprising a first guide slidable within the first slot and a second guide slidable within the second slot, the ball holder assembly fixed to the ball and movable relative to the base such that the ball is movable in a kicking action toward the rear side from a first position to a second position, and a resistance band coupled to the base and operable to bias the ball holder toward the first position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/836849 filed on Apr. 22, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to kick training devices. More particularly, the invention relates to kick training devices used to measure the strength and accuracy of a kick to a ball, such as a soccer ball.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a training device for performing a training kick includes a base adapted to be supported on a horizontal support surface and having a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side, the left and right sides defining a side-to-side direction. The device further includes a ball, a front frame attached to the base and defining a first slot, a rear frame attached to the base between the front frame and the rear side of the base, the rear frame defining a second slot, a ball holder assembly comprising a first guide slidable within the first slot and a second guide slidable within the second slot, the ball holder assembly fixed to the ball and movable relative to the base such that the ball is movable in a kicking action toward the rear side from a first position to a second position, and a resistance band coupled to the base and operable to bias the ball holder toward the first position.

In another embodiment, a training device for performing a training kick includes a base adapted to be supported on a horizontal support surface and having a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side, the left and right sides defining a side-to-side direction, a ball, a front frame attached to the base and defining a first slot, a rear frame attached to the base between the front frame and the rear side of the base, the rear frame defining a second slot, a ball holder assembly comprising a first guide slidable within the first slot and a second guide slidable within the second slot, the ball holder assembly fixed to the ball and movable relative to the base such that the ball is movable in a kicking action toward the rear side from a first position to a second position, a direction pointer attached to the ball holder and configured to indicate a direction of the kicking action in the side-to-side direction, and a sliding gauge mounted to the ball holder and configured to slide relative to the ball holder to indicate a maximum horizontal movement of the ball relative to the base.

In some embodiments, the first slot is narrower than the second slot such that the ball holder assembly pivots at the first slot in the side-to-side direction. In some embodiments, the first guide and the second guide are integrally formed as a single component. In some embodiments, the base includes a ramp at the front side and wherein the first guide is positioned at a height below the top of the ramp.

In some embodiments, the device further includes a sliding gauge mounted to the second guide and configured to slide relative to the second guide and indicate a maximum horizontal movement of the ball relative to the base. In some embodiments, the sliding gauge abuts the rear frame during the kicking action, and the sliding gauge is spaced apart from the rear frame after the kicking action in response to the bias of the resistance band. In some embodiments, a template is configured to indicate a relative position of the sliding gauge relative to the second guide.

In some embodiments, the second guide is configured to move relative to the base to indicate a direction of the kicking action in the side-to-side direction. In some embodiments, the first guide and the second guide have rectangular cross-sections. In some embodiments, the first guide and second guide have circular cross-sections. In some embodiments, the resistance band is a first resistance band, the training device further comprising a second resistance band selectively mounted to the base to increase the bias. In some embodiments, the ball is positioned above the front frame in the first position. In some embodiments, the ball is positioned between the front frame and the rear frame in the second position.

In some embodiments, the position of the second guide in the second position indicates a directional accuracy and kick strength of the kicking action. In some embodiments, the device further includes a cover extending over the front frame to prohibit contact between a user and the first guide during the kicking action. In some embodiments, the ball is one of a soccer ball, a football, or a hemispherical portion of a soccer ball or football. In some embodiments, the device further includes a bumper mounted to an end of the second guide. In some embodiments, the first guide deforms the resistance band in the second position. In some embodiments, the base further comprises a platform configured to support a foot of a user during the kicking action. In some embodiments, the ball is removably coupled to the ball holder assembly such that the ball is replaceable with a different ball.

The SHORT TRACK SOCCER TRAINER is one embodiment of the ACCURACY TRAINER to practice proper kicking form. The front guide bar and the rear guide bar have a rectangular cross section and are connected to the ball carrier assembly. The rectangular cross section of the front and rear guide bars move in rectangular slots in the front guide frame and rear guide frame with the ball carrier. The rectangular slots keep the front and rear guide bars straight from twisting and keeps the soccer ball holder in an erect position, as the soccer ball assembly moves to the rear side of the SHORT TRACK TRAINER, with the rectangular guide bars. The braking mechanism is replaced by one or two resistance bands, which stops the ball carrier assembly at the rear side of the SHORT and LONG TRACK SOCCER TRAINERS. To begin training, one foot of the player is placed next to the side of the ball, while the other foot repetitively kicks the ball using proper kicking form. Because the ball carrier assembly travels a short distance, the kicking foot remains on the ball during the kicking cycle. The resistance band creates a controlled resistance force against the kicking force of the foot on the ball and stops the ball and ball holder at the rear side of the TRAINER. The kicker can see the relationship between the direction pointer and the direction template and if the kick was successfully centered to score a goal. The player's foot is removed from the soccer ball and the soccer ball assembly is returned by the resistant band to the starting position.

The repetitive kicking force of the foot on the ball, against the resistance band and foam cushion, builds up leg muscles and muscle memory to kick equally with both legs resulting in kicking the soccer ball with faster leg speed, accuracy, and reduced training time. The resistance bands stop and return the ball carrier assembly to a starting point, without delay, resulting in many kicks per training session. A gauge also aids in determining the leg strength of the dominant leg and weak leg, and to measure the improvement in the weak leg as a goal to equal the strength and accuracy of the dominant leg kick.

A round guide rod can replace the rectangular guide rod in the SHORT or LONG TRACK TRAINERS. The round guide rod is held in place by the front guide rod frame, which is the pivot point for the round guide rod and extends into the rear guide rod frame at the back side of the LONG TRACK TRAINER. The ball holder assembly has a long travel from the front side to the back side of the LONG TRACK TRAINER, and the kicker's foot is not in contact with the ball during the entire kicking cycle. The bottom of the ball carrier has a bottom plastic slide or a section with wheels, which is wider than the ball carrier on the right and left sides. The wide width of the bottom slide, on the base of the ball holder prevents the ball holder assembly from tipping to the right or left side when the ball is kicked as shown in FIG. 12. The slot in the rear guide rod frame is wider than the front guide bar frames so the round guide rod can move within the limits of the slot, to the right or left side of the LONG TRACK TRAINER in the direction in which the soccer ball is kicked. Resistance bands and cushions at the back side stop and return the ball carrier to the start position. A direction pointer is assembled to the front of the ball carrier, above the guide rod, and moves in the direction of the guide rod. The kicker can see if the direction pointer is heading toward the center or to the right or left side of the direction template at the back side and make changes in his kicking form to correct future kicks.

An extension to the main platform with an additional platform allows the player to stand further back from the ball. With the extension of the platform the player can take a short hop, with the plant foot landing to one side of the ball, and a longer more natural leg swing and foot speed toward the ball, than when the plant foot remains next to the ball. The player continues repeating the kicks with both feet until the kicking session is finished.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one construction of the kick training device, with a rectangular shaped guard bar connected to the bottom and middle of the soccer ball holder.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the kicking device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view from the rear side of the front and rear guide bars, in the slots of the front and rear rod frames in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detailed top view of the sliding gauge in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a detailed rear view of a direction pointer inside the sliding gauge in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is the top view of the kicking device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top view of another construction of a kick training device according to the invention, with a single rectangular shaped guide bar connected to the bottom of a soccer ball holder.

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the device in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a left side view of another construction of a kick training device according to the invention, with a round guide rod replacing a rectangular shaped guide bar.

FIG. 10 is a detailed rear view of a guide rod in the slot of the rear rod frame and the sliding gauge assembled around the direction pointer in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a detailed rear view of a guide rod in the slot of the front rod frame in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a rear view of a ball carrier with a kick sliding gauge around the direction pointer and with ball holder slides encircling a round guide rod.

FIG. 13 is a left side view of a kick gliding gauge against a bracket to determine the strength of a leg kick in FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a top view of a round guide rod in the slot of a bottom rod holder slide.

FIG. 15 illustrates the bottom of a rod holder slide near a bracket to stop the ball carrier.

FIG. 16 illustrates the bottom of a rod holder slide stopped as it travels under the bracket to stop the ball carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

A first embodiment of the SHORT TRACK TRAINER 5 is illustrated in FIG. 1 with a perspective view, in FIG. 2 with a left side view, and in FIG. 6 with a top view. Bolts 38A hold a ball 52 (e.g., a soccer ball, a football, a hemispherical portion of a soccer ball or a football) on the front side 22 of the ball holder 50. The ball 52 may be formed out of a typical material for the ball type, or may otherwise be formed out of a softer material (e.g., foam). When the ball 52 is kicked by a player, the distance traveled by the ball carrier assembly 48 is a short distance from the front side 22 to the rear side 24 of the SHORT TRACK TRAINER 5. The player's foot remains on the ball 52 during the kicking action until the travel to the rear side 24 is stopped by one or two resistance bands 64. The resistance bands 64 are a length of elastic band and in some embodiments are thin elastic sheets or elastic tubes. If the player has a strong leg, a foam cushion 37 acts as a backup stopper. When the player removes his foot off the ball 52, the resistance band 64 returns the ball carrier assembly 48 back to the front side 22. A user does not have to stop kicking the soccer ball 50, to release a braking mechanism or move the ball carrier to the front side of the SHORT or LONG TRACK, which decreases downtime and increases the achievable kicking rate.

As the player repetitively kicks the ball 52, the coach or a trained individual can position themselves anywhere around the player for a better view of the player's kicks. With repetitive kicking by the player, the trainer has more opportunities to observe kicking techniques with both legs as well as the foot position on the ball 52, such that the trainer is able to advise the player to make adjustments in their training techniques.

The SHORT TRACK SOCCER TRAINER 5 includes a base 33 with platforms 30 and 31 on which a player can place their left or right foot. A ball carrier assembly 48 includes components attached to the ball carrier, including a soccer ball 52, a rectangular shaped front guide bar 54, a rectangular shaped rear guide bar 55, and a kick sliding gauge 56. Other components attached to the base 33 include a front bar frame 34 and a rear bar frame 55, pins or bolts 66 to hold the resistance bands 64 in place, and brackets 41 to hold the rear bar frame 40 in a higher position. Support bars 57 shown in FIG. 3 are placed in the vertical holes 44 in the bracket 41 for players to hold to stabilize their body and legs during their kick training if necessary. A slanted down ramp portion 32 functions as a cover 46 for the guide bar 54 so the user's foot or toes do not hit the front edge 22 of the guide bar 54 or the front edge of the SHORT TRACK TRAINER 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 46 extends over the front bar frame 34 and front guide 54. The toes of the kicking foot can slide along the ramp portion 32 to kick the soccer ball.

FIG. 1-6 illustrate the first embodiment. The front guide bar 54 is connected to the bottom of the ball carrier 50 and extends to the front side 22 of the SHORT TRACK TRAINER into the rectangular slot 35 of the front bar frame 34. The rear guide bar 55 also operates as the direction pointer 78, which is attached to the middle of the back side 24 of the ball carrier 52, and is separated from the front guide 54 bar. The rear guide bar 55 extends to the rear side 24 of the device 5, into a rectangular slot 42 in the rear bar frame 40. When the soccer ball 50 is kicked, the rectangular shape of the front guide bar 54 travels inside the rectangular slot 35 of the front bar frame 34 and the rectangular shape of the back guide bar 55 travels inside the rectangular slot 42 of the rear bar frame 40, and prevents the soccer ball holder assembly 42 from tilting as described previously.

The front guide bar 54, rear guide bar 55, and the soccer ball carrier assembly 48 attached to the ball carrier 48 travel together toward the back side 24, a distance above the base 33 and parallel to the base 33. A slot 65 in the base 33 serves as a hand hole to carry the device.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 the rear guide bar 55 is also a direction pointer 55A with a centerline 59 pointing to the back side 24 of the device 5, and a gauge template 60 with a goal printed on the top side of the rear guide bar 55. The sliding gauge 56 is a component of the ball carrier assembly 48. FIG. 4 shows the top 23 of the sliding gauge 56 and FIG. 5 show the sliding gauge from the rear side 24. One component of the sliding gauge 56 is assembled to top side 23 and another component of the sliding gauge 56A is assembled to the bottom side 25 of the rear guide bar 55 with adjustable screws 38, which hold the sliding gauge 56 from moving when the soccer ball 52 is kicked. To measure the strength of a kick in FIG. 2, the sliding gauge 56 is moved to the rear side 24 against the rear bar frame 40 by a player. The player kicks the soccer ball 52 with the dominant foot and the rear guide bar 55, front guide bar 54, ball carrier 50, and soccer ball 52 move together to the rear 24. The sliding gauge 56 remains stationary against the rear guard frame 40, as the rear bar guide 55 moves inside the rear bar frame 40, until the resistance bands 64 stops the movement. When the player removes his foot off the soccer ball 52, the resistant bands 64 return the ball carrier assembly 48 to the start position. The sliding gauge 56 remains at the stopping point of the rectangular rear bar guide 55 on a spot over the gauge template 60. The player or coach records the numbers where the sliding gauge 56 stops over the gauge template 60. The player then kicks the ball 52 with the weaker leg and records the results. The coach can now have the player work on the weaker leg kick to approach the strength of the dominant leg kick.

In FIG. 3. the width of the slot 35 in the front bar frame 34 is narrow, holds the front guide bar 54 loosely, and is the pivot point 49 for the ball carrier assembly 48 as the ball carrier assembly 48 moves to the rear side 24 inside the slot 42 in the rear bar frame 40. The slot 42 in the rear bar frame 40 is wider and allows the rear guide bar 55 to move to the left side 28 or the right side 26 of the SHORT TRACK TRAINER 5 to a greater distance than the front guide bar 54 in the slot 35. When the player kicks the right side 22 of the ball 52, the front guide bar 54 pivots to the left side 28 in the direction in which the ball 52 is kicked. When the ball 52 is kicked on the left side 28 the movement of the ball carrier assembly 48 moves to the right side 26 during the travel to the rear side 24. A center kick represent a goal to the user.

FIG. 7 is a top view and FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of a SHORT TRACK TRAINER 6. The rectangular guide bar 54A is one continuous bar connected to the bottom side 24 of the ball carrier 50, where it is slide ably coupled to the front bar frame 34 on the front side 22 and slide ably coupled to the rear bar frame 40 on the back side 24 of the SHORT TRACK TRAINER. The rectangular guide bar 54A keeps the ball carrier 50 in a stable upright position as it travels inside the rectangular slots 35 and 42 as described previously. The ball carrier 50 travels parallel to the base 33 with the guide bar 54A and is spaced above the base 33. The front rod frame 34 functions as a pivot point 49 for the guide bar 54A. The rear portion 24 of the rectangular guide bar 54A also functions as a direction pointer 55A with the center line 59 traveling to the back side 24, in slot 42 of the rear bar frame 40, to illustrate the accuracy of the players kick. The accuracy of the kick is determined by the template 62 on the rear bar frame 40. If the kick is accurate the guide bar 54A is in the slot 42 of the rear bar frame 40, with the center line 59 within the goal template 62. A bumper 72 is connected to the back side 24 of the guide bar 54A and is stopped by a foam stop 37 connected to bracket 41, if the resistance bands 64, not shown, cannot stop a strong kick. The resistance bands 64 return the ball holder to the start position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a left side view 28 of a construction of a LONG TRACK TRAINER 7. A gauge template 60 and a center line 59 are on the top side 23 of the direction pointer 55A. A GOAL template is on the top 23 of the foam 37 holding bracket 41. As shown in FIGS. 9-14, a round guide rod 74 replaces the rectangular bars 54 and 54A in FIGS. 1-8.

The round guide rod 74 is held from moving to the back side 24 by a rod holding assembly 80 connected to the front bar frame 34, which functions as a pivot point 49 for the round guide rod 74. A longer round guide rod 74 is needed for the ball holder assembly 48 to travel the distance from the front 22 to the rear 24 of the LONG TRACK TRAINER 7. The player's foot is removed from the soccer ball 52 as the ball holder assembly 48 travels the long distance to the back side 24. Resistance bands 64 stop the travel of the ball carrier assembly 48 and return it to the front 22 position. FIG. 11 shows the front rod holder 34 with the round rod bar 74 in a pivot point 49 position inside the slot 35 of the front rod frame 34. FIG. 10 shows the round guide rod 74 in a wider slot 42 in the rear bar frame 34, for the round guide rod 74 to move to the left side 28 or right side 26 of slot 42. As such, the first guide (within the slot 35) and the second guide (within the slot 42) of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-14 are integrally formed as a single guide rod 74 having a circular cross-section. As shown, wheels 51 can be assembled to the bottom 25 of the SHORT and LONG TRACK TRAINERS 7 to prevent wear on the plastic or linoleum slide 81 that the ball holder assembly travels on.

FIG. 12 is a rear side 24 view of a ball carrier 50, and FIG. 13 is a partial left side 28 view of the LONG TRACK TRAINER 7 in FIG. 9. The direction pointer 55A is attached to the back side 24 of the ball carrier 50 with the kick sliding gauge 56 slidably connected to the direction pointer 55A with screws 38. The bottom rod holder slide 80A is shown separated from top rod holder slide 80, for clarity. The screws 38 bring the two rod holder slides 80 and 80A together and encircle the round guide rod 74, in the slot 77, which extends from the front rod frame 34 to the rear rod frame 40. To prevent the ball carrier 50 from tilting, the bottom 25 rod holder slide 80A extends out beyond width of the ball carrier 50 to the left side 28 and right side 26 in contact with the plastic and linoleum slide on its travel to the back side 24.

Before the device 7 is subject to kicking, the ball carrier assembly 48 is stationed at the front side 22 of the base 33 with the bottom 25 rod holder slide 80A set on a slide able plastic or linoleum section 81, which is connected to the base 33. A ball carrier hold-down 82 is connected to the base 33 at the front side 22, has a short length, and is located at the front side 22 of the LONG TRACK TRAINER 7. The ball carrier hold-down 82 assists the rod holder slide 80A by keeping the right side 26 and left side 28 of the rod holder slide 82A from tilting, until the player's kicking foot is removed from the soccer ball 50. When the soccer ball 52 is kicked the top rod holder slide 80 and bottom rod holder slide 80A follow the direction of the round guide rod 74, as the bottom rod holder slide 80A moves over a slide-able plastic or linoleum section 81, to the right side 26, left side 28 or the center of the rear template 62, which represents a goal kick.

FIG. 14 is a partial top view 23 of the bottom rod holder slide 80A, with the round guide rod 74 in the slot 77. FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are left side views of the same, in two different positions. The bracket 79 holds a rubber or urethane stop 78 to the base 33 with bolts 38A. In FIG. 15 the rod holder slide 80A is shown in front of the bracket 78 as it returns from the rear 24 of the LONG TRACK TRAINER and about to enter the bracket 79. The distance 76 between the bottom side 25 of the bracket 79 and the plastic or linoleum slide 81 is less than the height 75 of the rod holder slide 80A. When the rod holder slide 80A enters the bracket 79, the rod holder slide 80A moves under the bracket 79 and lifts up the bracket 79. The bracket 79 puts a downward pressure on the rod holder slide 80A to slow the speed of the ball holder assembly, as the rod holder slide 80A is stopped by the rubber or urethane stop 78. The downward pressure the bracket 79 on the rod holder slide 80A also prevents the rod holder slide 80A and ball carrier 50 from rebounding to the rear side 24 of the LONG TRACK TRAINER when hitting the rubber or urethane stopper.

Other means for measuring kicking force are possible including various other constructions including mechanical and electrical devices for measuring the same. One electrical device, for example, could utilize an encoder for measuring the straight line force of the ball carrier assembly 48 relative to the base 33. An encoder is an electromechanical device that can measure motion or position. Most encoders use optical sensors to provide electrical signals in the form of pulse trains, which can, in turn, be translated into motion, direction, or position. The encoder could also utilize a display screen that could display the distance the ball carrier assembly traveled relative to the base 33.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A training device for performing a training kick, the device comprising:

a base adapted to be supported on a horizontal support surface and having a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side, the left and right sides defining a side-to-side direction;

a ball;

a front frame attached to the base and defining a first slot;

a rear frame attached to the base between the front frame and the rear side of the base, the rear frame defining a second slot;

a ball holder assembly comprising a first guide slidable within the first slot and a second guide slidable within the second slot, the ball holder assembly fixed to the ball and movable relative to the base such that the ball is movable in a kicking action toward the rear side from a first position to a second position; and

a resistance band coupled to the base and operable to bias the ball holder toward the first position.

2. The training device of claim 1, wherein the first slot is narrower than the second slot such that the ball holder assembly pivots at the first slot in the side-to-side direction.

3. The training device of claim 1, wherein the first guide and the second guide are integrally formed as a single component.

4. The training device of claim 1, wherein the base includes a ramp at the front side and wherein the first guide is positioned at a height below the top of the ramp.

5. The training device of claim 1, further comprising a sliding gauge mounted to the second guide and configured to slide relative to the second guide and indicate a maximum horizontal movement of the ball relative to the base.

6. The training device of claim 5, wherein the sliding gauge abuts the rear frame during the kicking action, and wherein the sliding gauge is spaced apart from the rear frame after the kicking action in response to the bias of the resistance band.

7. The training device of claim 5, further comprising a template configured to indicate a relative position of the sliding gauge relative to the second guide.

8. The training device of claim 1, wherein the second guide is configured to move relative to the base to indicate a direction of the kicking action in the side-to-side direction.

9. The training device of claim 1, wherein the first guide and the second guide have rectangular cross-sections.

10. The training device of claim 1, wherein the first guide and second guide have circular cross-sections.

11. The training device of claim 1, wherein the resistance band is a first resistance band, the training device further comprising a second resistance band selectively mounted to the base to increase the bias.

12. The training device of claim 1, wherein the ball is positioned above the front frame in the first position.

13. The training device of claim 12, wherein the ball is positioned between the front frame and the rear frame in the second position.

14. The training device of claim 1, wherein the position of the second guide in the second position indicates a directional accuracy and kick strength of the kicking action.

15. The training device of claim 1, further comprising a cover extending over the front frame to prohibit contact between a user and the first guide during the kicking action.

16. The training device of claim 1, wherein the ball is one of a soccer ball, a football, or a hemispherical portion of a soccer ball or football.

17. The training device of claim 1, further comprising a bumper mounted to an end of the second guide.

18. The training device of claim 1, wherein the first guide deforms the resistance band in the second position.

19. The training device of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a platform configured to support a foot of a user during the kicking action.

20. A training device for performing a training kick, the device comprising:

a base adapted to be supported on a horizontal support surface and having a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side, the left and right sides defining a side-to-side direction;

a ball;

a front frame attached to the base and defining a first slot;

a rear frame attached to the base between the front frame and the rear side of the base, the rear frame defining a second slot;

a ball holder assembly comprising a first guide slidable within the first slot and a second guide slidable within the second slot, the ball holder assembly fixed to the ball and movable relative to the base such that the ball is movable in a kicking action toward the rear side from a first position to a second position;

a direction pointer attached to the ball holder and configured to indicate a direction of the kicking action in the side-to-side direction; and

a sliding gauge mounted to the ball holder and configured to slide relative to the ball holder to indicate a maximum horizontal movement of the ball relative to the base.