Sports Training System and Method

Abstract

An adjustable sports training system comprises a cylindrical shaft having a superior portion and an inferior portion, a goal structure mounted to the inferior portion of the shaft, the goal structure having a frontal region and a back surface. The goal structure further comprises a backboard with connected hoop on the frontal region, the hoop having an attached net, and the backboard has a back surface shared with that of the goal structure, a front surface, and an edge surface. The system further comprises a pivot mechanism mounted to the superior portion of the shaft, wherein the pivot mechanism has an interior region and the shaft runs centrally through the interior region of the pivot mechanism. The pivot mechanism is configured to precisely pivot the goal structure into locked rotational configurations.

Description

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 63/156,758 filed on Mar. 4, 2021.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to the field of sports training systems.

BACKGROUND

Athletes, parents of young athletes, and others desire access to great training, a great trainer, or a great coach. Along with the motivation and desire to train, a physical environment that is conducive, functional, and available is required. Basketball play and training is constrained by space requirements. Full teams use the traditional basketball gyms to train. A small gym that is not intended to house fans and just focused on training will typically have 5,000 square feet of space with 25+ foot high ceilings. The interior training space will at a minimum consist of the flooring, which has court markings painted or taped on and a stationary basketball hoop at each end of the court. Typically, a minimum of a “half court” is required for effective training. This is due to the needs of the athlete to practice shooting straight on the basket and from both the left and right sides of the basket. Often, gyms in high schools and colleges will have multiple backboards and hoops that can be brought into place along the sides of the gym to allow multiple people to practice simultaneously. This limits what each person or small group can accomplish in the reduced space allotted to them. Use of the full or half court in a facility is limited to both individual athletes and coaches due to availability and use by larger groups. Athletes and their families spend considerable time and money for serious basketball training. Unfortunately, much of the feedback provided by coaches and trainers is subjective and not equally well received or understood by all athletes.

There is a need in the art for a system and method that allows the athlete to remain stationary while experiencing different spatial configurations between them and the basketball hoop. Further, there is a need for more objective training systems and methods that provide more useful, objective feedback in the form of hard data to the athlete.

SUMMARY

The sports training system and methods disclosed herein are used to rotate and position a basketball backboard, hoop, and net in order to allow the athlete to remain stationary and more efficiently practice shooting a basketball while the relative angle of the athlete to the backboard, hoop, and net changes. This can allow for athletic practice in a physically smaller space. Additionally, cameras and a plurality of other sensors are used with the present invention to allow for shot tracking and timing to enhance training while using the system. The data collected from these devices can be provided in both real time (to the athlete during training) and logged for trending. Disclosures include the mechanical implementation for precise rotation of the backboard, hoop, and net. Some embodiments disclose optional mounting infrastructure to hold a pivot mechanism. Disclosed embodiments show a mechanical implementation using a mechanical rotation mechanism that allows specific angular rotation of the backboard, hoop, and net. This mechanism can provide the ability to lock the backboard, hoop, and net into a fixed angular position when not rotating.

An additional embodiment shows a mechanism that allows for motion along both a horizontal and vertical axis. Motion along the horizontal axis provides an additional means of changing the spatial relationship between the player and the hoop, without the player having to move. Motion along the vertical axis allows younger athletes, who may not have the strength to shoot the ball up to regulation height, to benefit from training at a lower height.

Disclosed embodiments show visual feedback using lighting and displays embedded into the backboard—all visible to the athlete during training, without distraction from their primary area of focus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a disclosed pivot mechanism.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of spatial relationships in basketball training.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process for athletic training using a sports training system with adjustable hardware in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a “Scenario A” training configuration with a pivot mechanism having 0° rotation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a “Scenario B” training configuration with the pivot mechanism rotating the basketball backboard, hoop, and net counterclockwise to simulate a left-of-center training position for the athlete.

FIG. 6 illustrates a “Scenario C” training configuration with the pivot mechanism rotating the basketball backboard, hoop, and net clockwise to simulate a right-of-center training position for the athlete.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the pivot mechanism in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a backboard mechanism with embedded lighting, displays, and sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a camera-enhanced athletic training space in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates training configurations in “Scenarios A, D, and E” and the spatial effects caused by lateral motion of the basketball backboard, hoop, and net in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of a linear motion mechanism with respective directions of motion in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a back view of a linear motion mechanism with respective directions of motion in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a sports training system 100, and shows how a pivot mechanism 102, is superiorly connected to a mounting infrastructure 101, and inferiorly connected to a shaft 104, in such a way that a large portion of each of the two structures lies substantially above and below the pivot mechanism 102, respectively. The shaft 104 is fixed in its lower region to the goal structure 110, which further comprises backboard 105, with hoop 106 and attached net 107. The pivot mechanism 102 provides a means of precise rotation for the shaft 104 which in turn rotates, or “pivots”, the connected goal structure 110, as indicated by rotational arrows 190. The resulting adjusted positions provide different training configurations for an athlete when making shots, while allowing the athlete to remain stationary with respect to the goal structure 110. A ball sensor 103 provides input to the sports training system 100 for detection of shot attempts and completions. In one embodiment, this sensor 103 may utilize an enhanced camera, while also employing a plurality of detection components in order to gather more data regarding the physics of the ball in motion, including velocity, trajectory, force/impact, spin, and other useful data. The system 100 can gather and process the data in real-time, yielding continuous training feedback for athletes and coaches, who can then note trends and patterns and diagnose problem areas in training and overall player performance.

For the purposes of illustration, FIG. 2 shows the current state of basketball practice and training on a standard court 250. Three scenarios help to demonstrate the spatial relationship between an athlete and the goal structure 210 with backboard 205 and hoop 206. In each of these scenarios, the athlete assumes a different training position on the court 250, including a central position 256, a left-of-center position 257, and a right-of-center position 258, wherein the athlete faces the goal structure 210 at a different angle. In each position, the athlete stands at the same shooting distance from the goal structure 210, as indicated by distance lines X. In a central position 256, the athlete faces the goal structure 210 directly, for a frontal view of the backboard 205. There are two scenarios where the athlete must be displaced from the central position 256 by some distance, indicated by distance lines Y, in order to shoot the basketball at an angle with respect to the goal structure 210. The aforementioned left-of-center position 257 lets the athlete face the left side of the goal structure 210, while the right-of-center position 258 lets the athlete face the right side of it. In these angled training positions, displaced by a distance Y to the left or right of the central position 256, the athlete changes perspective for an oblique view of the backboard 205, which generally requires a higher level of shooting precision. When practicing shooting in particular, the act of continuously traversing the court in pursuit of varied and angled shots requires a certain level of focus, while also demanding an expenditure of energy that may be undesirable for certain exercises. Additionally, small and/or busy gym spaces can force coaches and trainers to organize more chaotic group drills with excessive court movement in order to vary shooting practice, when it may be desirable to focus on court movement and shooting separately—especially for younger athletes who may have trouble immediately combining the two skills.

FIG. 3 outlines the overall process for athletic training, with monitoring and data processing that yields activity feedback, using a sports training system 300 with adjustable hardware in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Beginning with step 375, an operator (such as a coach or trainer) initiates a training program. The system 300 then initializes a training session on both a program/parameter level and a hardware level, adjusting the goal structure (see adjustable goal structure 110 and 1110 of FIGS. 1 and 11, respectively), and establishing the current position of both basketball and athlete, as shown in step 376. With the current session initialized, the system 300 is ready to operate relevant hardware to monitor a first drill for the athlete, outwardly providing any relevant session/drill information along with a signal to begin, as indicated by step 377. As the athlete commences training, their motion is detected and tracked, as noted by step 378. Similarly, as noted by step 379, the athlete's shots are detected and tracked, allowing trajectory data to be gathered by the system 300 as well. Box 380 elaborates upon features of the aforementioned ball/athlete tracking, including how the system 300 performs the motion tracking continuously throughout the drill, and that specific data is logged with each shot attempt, thereby allowing for both micro analyses of individual shots and/or athlete performance, and post-training macro analyses of larger data sets, since the data is cumulative. In any case, as shown by step 381, a useful amount of real time feedback based on the tracking data can be provided to coaches and athletes alike throughout a live session/drill. At some point, depending either on the parameters set for the session or an operator's decision, the drill reaches its conclusion, as noted by step 382. At this point, the operator or an automatic session parameter can end the session, as indicated by step 384, or a new drill can immediately follow, wherein the pivot mechanism (see pivot mechanism 102 of FIG. 1) or a linear motion mechanism (see mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12) rotates or linearly adjusts the goal structure, respectively (see goal structure 110 and 1110 of FIGS. 1 and 11, respectively) into a new configuration (see training configurations 430, 531, 632, and 1033/1034 of FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 10, respectively), as indicated by step 383. If the session continues with the new drill, the system 300 once again provides a start signal for the athlete and the new drill begins, once again, as shown by step 377. If, as step 384 indicates, the full session is complete, the system 300 can then provide more comprehensive session feedback and outline trends from overarching data sets, as indicated by step 385. Successive session feedback continues to be useful in the above-mentioned macro analyses, which can be highly informative in the process of corrective training, and in pursuing long-term athlete development.

FIG. 4 illustrates a “Scenario A” training configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this and further discussions of training configurations, the object of the configuration is the rotatable goal structure 410, while each “scenario” is broader and encompasses the sum of athlete position and training configuration. As depicted in FIG. 4, training configuration 430 provides a standard training angle (or “normal position”) wherein the pivot mechanism (see pivot mechanism 102 of FIG. 1) applies 0° rotation to the goal structure 410. In this configuration 430, the goal structure 410 is essentially identical to a standard goal structure, fully facing forward—as with the goal structure illustrated in FIG. 2. Similarly, the depicted athlete training position is once again the central position 456, which places the athlete in the training space or on the court 450 at the distance X from the goal structure 410 with a direct frontal view of it, corresponding with central position 256 in FIG. 2. “Scenario A” is hence a standard scenario that is nonsimulative in nature, that is, it does not simulate an alternate court position for the athlete. Dashed line 470 indicates a ball trajectory resulting from a shot made by the athlete in central position 456 toward the front of the goal structure 410.

FIG. 5 illustrates a “Scenario B” training configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, training configuration 531 provides an oblique training angle wherein the pivot mechanism (see pivot mechanism 102 of FIG. 1) applies some degree of counterclockwise rotation to the goal structure 510. The depicted athlete position is still the central position 556, placing the athlete on the court 550 at the distance X from the goal structure 510, as in the previous figure. Yet in this scenario, it is as if the athlete has suddenly been displaced from the central position 556 by a certain distance (see distance Y of FIG. 2) and has now assumed the previously mentioned left-of-center position (see left-of-center position 257 of FIG. 2), gaining access to the same viewing angle of the goal structure 510 as the athlete in that position, while remaining completely stationary. In this way, “Scenario B” simulates the left-of-center position while the athlete remains in central position 556. Dashed line 570 indicates the ball trajectory resulting from a shot made by the athlete in central position 556 toward the left side of the goal structure 510.

FIG. 6 illustrates a “Scenario C” training configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, training configuration 632 provides another oblique training angle, this time wherein the pivot mechanism (see pivot mechanism 102 of FIG. 1) applies some degree of clockwise rotation to the goal structure 610. The depicted athlete position is still the central position 656, placing the athlete on the court 650 at the same distance X from the goal structure 610, as in the previous two figures. In this scenario, it is as if the athlete has now been displaced from the central position 656 by a certain distance (see distance Y of FIG. 2) and has now assumed the previously mentioned right-of-center position (see right-of-center position 258 of FIG. 2), gaining access to the same viewing angle of the goal structure 610 as the athlete in that position, while once again remaining completely stationary. In this way, “Scenario C” simulates the right-of-center position while the athlete remains in central position 656. Dashed line 670 indicates the ball trajectory resulting from a shot made by the athlete in central position 656 toward the right side of the goal structure 610.

In any scenario, considering team practices or packed gyms, multiple stationary athletes can physically assume not only the central position, but also the abovementioned left-of-center, and right-of-center court positions (displaced from central position 256 by distance Y, see FIG. 2) while the goal structure pivots. In this way, many athletes can equally take advantage of continuously varied angled shooting without the usually required court movement, thereby optimizing court space and drill efficiency, promoting a generally more organized training environment, and saving time and energy for both athletes and coaches alike.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the pivot mechanism 702, installed via mounting infrastructure 701, and details a pivot mechanism housing 715 that supports the overall assembly and provides a sufficient mounting area for bearings 716. These bearings allow angular rotation of the shaft 704, while preventing vertical movement. The shaft 704 is mounted on its lower end by the goal structure 710 with backboard 705, hoop 706, and net 707. Angular rotation of the shaft 704 translates to rotational pivot movements of the entire goal structure 710. A rotational subassembly 720 lying within the housing 715 includes a rotation mechanism 721 which may comprise a stepper motor and provides rotational torque in specific angular increments. The rotation mechanism 721 can hold a torqued position in place to prevent further angular rotation of the goal structure 710 that is undesired. Rotational subassembly 720 further comprises a plurality of gears, including a small gear 722 and large gear 723, as well as a chain 724, which together complete the transfer of torque from rotation mechanism 721 to shaft 704. In another embodiment, a plurality of chains, gears, and motors may be implemented into the subassembly 720 as needed in order to optimize the performance of the pivot mechanism 702 and overall sports training system 700. Within the pivot mechanism housing 715 sits a computerized control system 725 which performs a plurality of functions, including: receiving incoming motion commands for rotation that may include direction of rotation and angular distance, driving the motor 721 to cause rotation to the newly specified angular position, maintaining accurate positional information that can be queried and retrieved, determining the position of the goal structure 710 upon system initialization and centering it to zero degrees relative to the training court (i.e. the goal structure's “normal position”), receiving an external calibration command that will determine the position of the goal structure 710 to re-center, receiving external information and data to provide to the user, and sending the user feedback information to be displayed in the backboard 705.

FIG. 8 illustrates a backboard mechanism capable of performing data input/output activities via embedded lighting, displays, and a sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The goal structure 810 with backboard 805, hoop 806, and net 807 is mounted to the shaft 804 as illustrated in previous figures. The backboard 805 however is enhanced in this embodiment, having embedded display elements 843 which provide lighted feedback in the form of numbers, letters, or varied imagery that can rapidly convey information about the current training session. Edge lighting 842 provides yet another form of feedback to the athlete by varying the color of the backboard's perimeter to indicate the status of play. Both lighted elements provide additional feedback to the athlete while allowing them to retain their focus on the backboard 805 during training. The source of the lighting can be LEDs or other efficient and durable lighting components known in the art. An operator can adjust the brightness of the lighting as desired, to maximize visibility, or to minimize eyestrain. Also embedded within the backboard 805, and situated a small distance above the hoop 806, an impact sensor 841 provides feedback to the control system that identifies the impact of the basketball onto the backboard, and can gauge the force applied by the ball. The control system utilized by the sports training system 800 provides a means of data relay such that incoming sensory data registered by the enhanced backboard 805 can be processed and returned to the embedded lighting elements, for real time feedback related to athlete performance and ball physics.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of the sports training system installed into a camera-enhanced training space. The sports training system 900 comprising mounting infrastructure 901, pivot mechanism 902, shaft 904, and goal structure 910 with backboard 905, hoop 906, and net 907, is situated on the back wall of a training space. An athlete 955 stands centrally on the court 950, having a direct view of the front of the goal structure 910. The above-mentioned ball sensor 903 situated above the goal structure 910 provides one source of input data to the sports training system 900 by detecting shot attempts, completions, and other relevant data. Flanking the athlete 955 and mounted higher up on the side walls of the training space, cameras 945 provide visual coverage of the training space. The cameras 945 provide a continuous input into the control system (see control system 725 of FIG. 7), which uses optical recognition and tracking to determine both athlete and basketball position and motion. A further aspect of this embodiment allows for real time processing of received optical data in order to recognize shot attempts and basketball trajectory 970 once the shot is made. Additionally, basketball trajectory data, combined with positional reference data for the goal structure 910, can determine shot accuracy and provide “score vs. miss” analysis and prediction for current and successive training sessions.

FIG. 10 illustrates training configurations in “Scenarios A, D, and E” and the spatial effects caused by lateral motion of the basketball backboard, hoop, and net in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In all three scenarios, the athlete remains stationary in the aforementioned central position 1056 on the court 1050. “Scenario A” shows the goal structure 1010 in training configuration 1030, or a “normal position” that is unmoved laterally. Here the athlete stands at a distance X from the goal structure 1010 and shoots the ball directly toward it, as depicted by dashed line 1070. In “Scenarios D and E”, the lateral motion 1091 of the goal structure 1010 changes the spatial relationship between the athlete and the hoop. Looking now at “Scenario D”, the goal structure 1010 is adjusted laterally into training configuration 1033, displacing it some distance away and to the left of training configuration 1030. In this configuration, the goal structure 1010 is now further away from the athlete in central position 1056, this new distance indicated by line Z, and the athlete must pivot counterclockwise by some degree in order to face the goal structure 1010 and make a shot, the trajectory of which is depicted by dashed line 1071. Having pivoted to face the goal structure 1010 in this new position, the athlete gains an angled view dominated by the right side of the goal structure. In “Scenario E”, the goal structure 1010 is adjusted laterally into training configuration 1034, displacing it some distance away and to the right of training configuration 1030. In this configuration, the goal structure 1010 is again further away (relative to configuration 1030) from the athlete in central position 1056, this distance also indicated by line Z, and the athlete must now pivot clockwise by some degree in order to face the goal structure 1010 and make a shot, the trajectory of which is depicted by dashed line 1072. Having pivoted to face the goal structure 1010 in this new position, the athlete gains an angled view dominated by the left side of the goal structure. The type of lateral motion disclosed in this embodiment can allow for a reduced space for athletic training. As well, the effects created by side-to-side motion of the goal structure 1010 provide for a further diversified training experience for the athlete, full team, or other groups of players in a training space.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of a mechanism providing linear motion along both vertical and horizontal axes for a sports training system 1100. A linear motion mechanism capable of providing lateral motion for a goal structure 1110 with backboard 1105 comprises a lateral track structure 1160 onto which the entire goal structure is mounted via a set of bearings (see linear bearings 1261 of FIG. 12) found on the backboard. The track structure 1160 is flanked by a drive motor 1163 near each end, each motor having a gear 1122 (similar to the motorized gear/chain rotation mechanism of FIG. 7) which engages with a drive belt 1162 that runs the length of the lateral track structure 1160 and is fixed to the backboard 1105. In another embodiment, the belt may be substituted with a chain. The activity of the motors 1163 rotates the gears 1122 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to rotate the belt 1162, thus affecting the lateral position of the attached goal structure 1110, for near infinite adjustability along a horizontal axis, as indicated by lateral motion arrows 1191. Each end of the track structure 1160 is mounted to a linear slide mechanism 1166 that allows for up-and-down motion of the entire track structure with mounted goal structure 1110, as indicated by vertical motion arrows 1192. The whole assembly is mounted within a larger frame structure 1165, which further comprises vertical rails 1167. The linear slide mechanisms 1166 are installed into the vertical rails 1167 of the larger frame structure 1165 so that the entire lateral track structure 1160 can freely move up-and-down. In one embodiment of the present invention, the motorized linear slide mechanism 1166 may be threaded to implement vertical motion 1192 using threaded lead screw components, providing structural stability along with precisely executed motion. As well, multi-axis components can be utilized within a single motor system to optimize space for the linear motion mechanism. A computerized control system 1125 manages the functioning of the overall system 1100, including programmable linear movement of the motion mechanism and automated or user-initiated training programs. Some training programs can offer randomized activities that quicken the athlete's reaction times by exposing them to unorthodox training stimuli. Overall athlete performance can be improved and new skills honed when computer-aided training methods are implemented.

FIG. 12 illustrates a back view of one embodiment of a mechanism providing linear motion along both vertical and horizontal axes for a sports training system 1200. In this view, the rear side of the goal structure 1210 can be seen, with the rear of the backboard 1205 providing a large mounting surface for various elements used for linear motion. In this embodiment, the backboard 1205 is mounted to four linear bearings 1261 which provide slidable contact with the lateral track structure 1260. The previously mentioned drive belt 1262 has a point of fixation to the rear of the backboard 1205 with anchor 1264, so that belt motion translates directly to backboard motion. The powered side-to-side motion occurs when drive motors 1263 drive the belt 1262 with gears 1222 that are mounted on each side of the lateral track structure 1260. The slidable contact points between linear bearings 1261 and lateral track structure 1260 allow freedom of lateral motion along a horizontal axis, indicated by motion arrows 1291. The lateral track structure 1260 terminates on each side with linear slide mechanisms 1266 embedded within the vertical rails 1267 of the larger frame structure 1265, allowing for slidable up-and-down motion of the entire track structure, including mounted goal structure 1210, along a vertical axis, as indicated by motion arrows 1292. The computerized control system 1225 is depicted near the floor, or attached to some surface of the frame structure 1265 for illustrative purposes. Some embodiments can utilize a wireless version of the control system 1225 and certain wirelessly linked hardware components to enable over-the-air data transfer in some instances. In yet another embodiment, linear motion mechanisms, similar to those described above, can be integrated into the system 1200 in order to provide motion of the goal structure 1210 in an additional axis, for front-to-back movement.

Many variations may be made to the embodiments described herein. All variations are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. The description of the embodiments herein can be practiced in many ways. Any terminology used herein should not be construed as restricting the features or aspects of the disclosed subject matter. The scope should instead be construed in accordance with the appended claims.

There may be many other ways to implement the disclosed embodiments. Various functions and elements described herein may be partitioned differently from those shown without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Various modifications to these implementations may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations. Thus, many changes and modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments, by one having ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. For instance, different numbers of a given element or module may be employed, a different type or types of a given element or module may be employed, a given element or module may be added, or a given element or module may be omitted.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An adjustable sports training system, comprising:

(a) a cylindrical shaft having a superior portion and an inferior portion;

(b) a goal structure mounted to the inferior portion of the shaft, the goal structure having a frontal region and a back surface, wherein the goal structure further comprises a backboard with connected hoop on the frontal region, the hoop having an attached net, and wherein the backboard has a back surface shared with that of the goal structure, a front surface, and an edge surface; and

(c) a pivot mechanism mounted to the superior portion of the shaft, wherein the pivot mechanism has an interior region, wherein the shaft runs centrally through the interior region of the pivot mechanism, and wherein the pivot mechanism is configured to precisely pivot the goal structure into locked rotational configurations.

2. The adjustable sports training system of claim 1, wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises a housing in the interior region, the housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the housing is further supported by a mounting infrastructure connected with its top surface.

3. The adjustable sports training system of claim 2, wherein the housing further comprises a rotational subassembly, and wherein the housing mounts to the shaft via bearings connected with each of its top and bottom surfaces.

4. The adjustable sports training system of claim 3, wherein the rotational subassembly further comprises a stepper motor, small gear, large gear, and chain, wherein the large gear is connected with the shaft, and wherein the stepper motor drives the small gear to rotate the chain which drives the large gear to rotate the shaft.

5. The adjustable sports training system of claim 3, wherein the housing further comprises a control system, wherein the control system is in electrical communication with the rotational subassembly, and wherein the control system is configured to initiate specific rotational configurations of the goal structure.

6. The adjustable sports training system of claim 5, wherein the backboard is embedded with lighted displays and a ball sensor on its front surface, and edge lighting on its edge surface, and wherein the control system is in electrical communication with the lighted displays and ball sensor of the backboard.

7. The adjustable sports training system of claim 6, wherein the system is installed in a training space, wherein a plurality of cameras are configured to monitor the training space, and wherein the cameras are in electrical communication with the control system.

8. The adjustable sports training system of claim 7, wherein the control system is further configured to run automated training programs, wherein the control system is further configured to process, store, and analyze sensor and camera data gathered during the training programs, and wherein the control system is further configured to display feedback via the lighted displays and edge lighting, both in real time and after the training programs.

9. The adjustable sports training system of claim 8, wherein the control system is further configured to relay data wirelessly between the cameras, ball sensor, lighted displays, and pivot mechanism, and wherein the control system can be accessed remotely via a wireless device.

10. An adjustable sports training system, comprising:

(a) a lateral track structure;

(b) a goal structure that is mounted to the lateral track structure, the goal structure having a frontal region and a back surface, wherein the goal structure further comprises a backboard with connected hoop on its frontal region, the hoop having an attached net, wherein the backboard has a back surface shared with that of the goal structure, a front surface, and an edge surface, and wherein the goal structure is configured to slide laterally across the lateral track structure into locked horizontal positions; and

(c) a frame structure comprising two vertical rails, wherein the lateral track structure horizontally terminates on each end with each of the rails, wherein the lateral track structure is mounted to the rails, and wherein the lateral track structure is configured to slide vertically along the rails into locked vertical positions.

11. The adjustable sports training system of claim 10, further comprising linear bearings, linear slide mechanisms, gears, motors, and a belt, wherein the linear bearings are mounted to the backboard on its back surface, wherein the belt is anchored centrally to the backboard on its back surface, wherein the linear slide mechanisms are connected with each end of the lateral track structure, wherein the linear slide mechanisms are embedded within the vertical rails, wherein the linear slide mechanisms are configured to slide vertically along the rails, wherein the linear bearings are configured to slide across the lateral track structure, and wherein the motors drive the gears to rotate the belt which slides the goal structure laterally.

12. The adjustable sports training system of claim 10, further comprising a control system, wherein the control system is in electrical communication with the goal structure, and wherein the control system is configured to initiate specific lateral and vertical configurations of the goal structure.

13. The adjustable sports training system of claim 12, wherein the backboard is embedded with lighted displays and a ball sensor on its front surface, and edge lighting on its edge surface, and wherein the control system is in electrical communication with the lighted displays and ball sensor of the backboard.

14. The adjustable sports training system of claim 13, wherein the system is installed in a training space, wherein a plurality of cameras are monitoring the training space, and wherein the cameras are in electrical communication with the control system.

15. The adjustable sports training system of claim 14, wherein the control system is further configured to run automated training programs, wherein the control system is further configured to process, store, and analyze sensor and camera data gathered during the training programs, and wherein the control system is further configured to display feedback via the lighted displays and edge lighting, both in real time and after the training programs.

16. The adjustable sports training system of claim 15, wherein the control system is further configured to relay data wirelessly between the cameras, ball sensor, lighted displays, and goal structure, and wherein the control system can be accessed remotely via a wireless device.

17. The adjustable sports training system of claim 16, wherein the lateral track structure is further configured to move forward and backward relative to the frame structure, wherein the control system is in electrical communication with the lateral track structure, and wherein the control system is configured to initiate specific locked forward and backward configurations of the lateral track structure.

18. A method for an adjustable sports training system comprising:

(a) Initiating a training program;

(b) Initializing a training session and drill via software-controlled hardware, including rotating a goal structure controlled by a pivot mechanism, and establishing the position of both an athlete and a ball;

(c) Providing information that a session and drill has started;

(d) Detecting and tracking certain motions of the athlete;

(e) Detecting a shot attempt by the athlete and tracking the trajectory of the shot;

(f) Tracking the position and motion of both the athlete and ball continuously, and logging certain data yielded by the tracking and associated with each shot attempt;

(g) Providing real time feedback about the session and drill;

(h) Completing the drill or completing the session based on parameters set for the session by the training program;

(i) If the drill is complete, and a subsequent drill has been programmed into the session, then adjusting the hardware for the next drill, including rotating the goal structure controlled by the pivot mechanism;

(j) Providing information that another drill has started within the session; and

(k) If the session is complete, then providing session feedback including trends derived from cumulative data gathered from previous sessions.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the utilized hardware adjusts the position of the goal structure both laterally and vertically.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising adjusting the goal structure linearly in any direction.