Abstract: A method for calculating a repeatability index of gestures and shots of a player striking a tennis ball with a racket having attached measurement sensors. The method includes conducting an initial series of shots to measure vibration, angular velocity, and linear acceleration of the racket during each shot to generate behavioral data of the racket corresponding to each shot of the initial series, and later comparing the measured vibration, angular velocity and linear acceleration of the racket to shots of a further series to determine the type of hit and a repeatability index indicating an ability of the player to identically repeat each of the type of hit.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to training a user how to correctly throw a ball, and more specifically, a training, physical, or occupational therapy aid that can be used to strengthen and rehabilitate a user's muscles and joints.

Abstract: A device to help in the improving of hockey puck handling skills for beginning hockey players and those players who are lacking basic or intermediate skills. When the main body of the device is placed over the end of the hockey stick it is slid down and will come to rest on the top of the stick blade, then the player adds the small adapter with the bungee or elastic cord and hockey puck attached by screwing the adapter into the main body of the device. If desired the player can then add the long adapter rod to the main body of the device, this will help move the cord away from the hockey stick. Once the desired attachments are installed on the main body of the device the player is free to begin skating and working on his/her puck handling skills by shooting the puck.

Abstract: A ball travel-modifying device comprising a sail and a strikeable object modifies a travel distance and a rate of travel of a struck or thrown object and returns the strikeable object to an initial rest position after each hit or throw. The shape of the sail is triangular, quadrilateral, or other shapes and may be symmetric or asymmetric. The sail may be formed with a flat or curved surface and straight or curved edges. Multiple sails of the same or varying size and shape may be slidably adjusted along a suspension line. One or more apertures may be formed in the sail to modify a speed or a direction of a moving strikeable object. An adjustable aperture permits adaptation to various strikeable objects having a variety of sizes and weights or to cause a strikeable object to move in a preferred direction or with a preferred rate of travel.

Abstract: A training device to develop muscle memory for better ball handling skills for football players. The device comprises a flat stretchable elastic material that is joined to form one arm loop at one end then stretched with a single strap to a finger loop at the other end. The finger loop fits over the index finger. The arm loop is used for the football player to slide up his arm and to fit over the upper part of the bicep. Once in place the football players arm will have correct form to hold the football. At this point the strap will act as a spring so the football player can be trained to have correct control of the football. A football tuck is made of a flat stretchable elastic which causes the arm to form a perfect tuck for the football to fit inside.

Abstract: A paddleball toy having a paddle, a bounceable play ball, and an elastic tethering means. The paddle has an impact surface and an elongate handle with a handle longitudinal axis. The paddle has a front side and a back side. The handle connects to the impact surface at a lower end of the impact surface. The impact surface has a direction-switch slot extending from a slot bottom at an interior point of the impact surface to an exterior edge of the impact surface. The elastic tethering means tethers the play ball at a first end of the tethering means to a tether spot on the impact surface adjacent the slot bottom of the direction-switch slot so as to permit the tethering means to pass through the direction-switch slot as the play ball passes the impact surface from front side to back side, or back side to front side.

Abstract: A lacrosse practice ball having a tether extending from the ball and attaching to a lacrosse stick to enable practicing of cradling or other short-range maneuvers is disclosed. In some embodiments, the tether extends from the ball by between 12-24 inches. The ball can have two channels passing through the middle of the ball and offset from one another by an angle, and the tether can pass through the channels. The tether forms a loop that can be knotted to secure the tether to the ball with the knot positioned within one of the channels. The practice ball can secure to any portion of the lacrosse stick using the tether.

Abstract: A wand is formed in a hollow cylindrical configuration. The wand has inner and outer ends. A ball has a cylindrical passageway extending diametrically through the ball. An essentially inextensible cord couples the wand and the ball. In this manner a pitcher is adapted to grasp and spin the wand to pitch the ball in a circular manner. Also in this manner a batter is adapted to swing a bat in an attempt to strike the pitched ball for batting practice.

Abstract: A lacrosse practice ball having a tether extending from the ball and attaching to a lacrosse stick to enable practicing of cradling or other short-range maneuvers is disclosed. In some embodiments, the tether extends from the ball by between 12-24 inches. The ball can have two channels passing through the middle of the ball and offset from one another by an angle, and the tether can pass through the channels. The tether forms a loop that can be knotted to secure the tether to the ball with the knot positioned within one of the channels. The practice ball can secure to any portion of the lacrosse stick using the tether.

Abstract: The present invention is based in part on apparatus for athletic training and specifically apparatus and methods for training and improving eye-hand coordination. Additionally, the present invention provides apparatus and methods for aiding athletic training and physical therapy.

Abstract: A lacrosse practice and/or training device allows a person to practice throwing and catching by themselves. The device includes an anchor mechanism that slides over the top of a lacrosse stick head, a cord, and a ball. A single cord connects the anchor mechanism to the stick head and the ball to the anchor mechanism, so that when the ball is thrown from the stick head, the cord stretches and then contracts, returning the ball back towards the person throwing it. The anchor mechanism is universal, for use with multiple stick heads, and it has vertical parallel braces for stabilization when on the stick head. Additionally, the release point of the cord is positioned at the top of the anchor mechanism, which is clipped onto the scoop or top of the stick head, to provide the user with a more accurate ball release and retract orientation than conventional practice devices.

Abstract: A tennis skill training device having grip emulating a tennis racquet grip sized to be held by a user. The device includes a grip, a single flexible umbilical having a first and second ends, the first end being attached to and emanating from the distal end of the grip, and a weight attached to the second end of the umbilical.

Abstract: Mat for sport and games for detecting impact position of a movable object. The mat includes an outer layer and an inner layer, each with inlays of electrically conductive elements forming a pressure-sensitive switch distributed over the target area. The pressure sensitive switches communicate with electronic circuits for indicting, processing and presentation of electrical signals when the switches are activated by a ball impact.

Abstract: A ball-handling-skills training device (10) includes a harness (16) configured for coupling to a wearer's upper torso, a ball (14) and a flexible tether (18). The tether (18) is coupled at one end to the harness (16) so that the tether (18) freely hangs proximate to the wearer's chest at a position along a transverse line generally passing across the wearer's sternum when the harness (16) is coupled to the wearer's upper torso. The tether (18) is configured for coupling at the other end to the ball (14). In a method of use, the ball (14) is kicked with one's feet or legs while the harness (16) is coupled to one's upper torso.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and method for training an athlete to throw a ball, and particularly to a device and method that provides guides for optimally positioning an athlete's throwing hand and elbow prior to initiation of the throwing phase for throwing a ball.

Abstract: A lacrosse practice and/or training device allows a person to practice throwing and catching by themselves. The device includes an anchor mechanism that slides over the top of a lacrosse stick head, a cord, and a ball. A single cord connects the anchor mechanism to the stick head and the ball to the anchor mechanism, so that when the ball is thrown from the stick head, the cord stretches and then contracts, returning the ball back towards the person throwing it. The anchor mechanism is universal, for use with multiple stick heads, and it has vertical parallel braces for stabilization when on the stick head. Additionally, the release point of the cord is positioned at the top of the anchor mechanism, which is clipped onto the scoop or top of the stick head, to provide the user with a more accurate ball release and retract orientation than conventional practice devices.

Abstract: A training system may be provided. The training system may include a ball; an anchoring device; and a tether coupled to the ball and the anchoring device such that the tether extends therebetween.

Abstract: A field hockey practice tethered assembly includes a fastener loop, an elastic cord, and a field hockey ball. The elastic cord is secured to the fastener loop on one end of the cord and the field hockey ball on the second end of the cord. The elastic cord includes braided elastic strands within a yarn sheath.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for emulating the striking member and ball of selected sports, the striking member having an end portion including portions covered with a selectively engageable contact material such as Velcro™ brand fastener and further having a mass and size substantially in conformity with the mass and size of the striking member commonly employed in the selected sport, and a target member for emulating the playing object of the selected sport or game, the target member having a target portion similarly covered with a selectively engageable contact material such as Velcro™ brand fastener, where the mass and response of the target member is readily altered to emulate the mass and response of a ball under a variety of conditions by selectively attaching one or more momentum elements of varying size to the target member.

Abstract: The hockey training aid is a hockey stick/blade which can be either a one piece stick as in a one piece composite stick or an attachable/replaceable blade, which can be attached to a stick shaft. The blade has a shank for inserting the stick handle and containing a channel along the lower edge of the blade. A string is fastened tat one end to a puck and or ball and at the other end to a ball bearing shaped bead that is freely moveable within the channel. The string attached to the bead extends outward from the channel through a slit that also extends along the length of the channel. During use, as the puck/ball moves back-and-forth during stick-handling drills, the bead freely moves back-and-forth within the channel and the tether freely moves along the slit. An additional optional hole is provided at the top of the blade for use as an alternative stationary attachment of an elastic tether to the blade.

Abstract: The hockey training aid is a blade having a shank for inserting a stick handle and containing a channel along the lower edge of the blade. A string is fastened at one end to a puck and at the other end to a ball-shaped bead that is freely movable within the channel. The string attached to the bead extends outward from the channel through a slit that also extends along the length of the channel. During use, as the puck moves back-and-forth during stick-handling drills, the bead freely moves back-and-forth within the channel and the tether freely moves along the slit. An additional optional hole is provided at the top of the blade for use as an alternative stationary attachment of an elastic tether to the blade.

Abstract: A kick-strengthening practice soccer ball is given a little extra weight but preferably softened also for enhance shock absorption when kicked. The practice ball has an inflatable bladder, a carcass of tough durable material, and an intermediary sheath of substantially non-stretchable, flexible material for restraining expansion of the bladder when inflated to pressure. Thus the sheath thereby reduces the outward pressure on the carcass while also increasing the dimensional stability of the ball. A shock-absorbing weighting material interposed between either the bladder and sheath or sheath and carcass. The weighting material accounts for between about 4% and 40% of the total weight of the practice ball when inflated to pressure. If a nominal average weight for a standard matchball is taken to be between 14 to 16 ounces, the weighting material adds an additional increment from anywhere between about 1 and 10 ounces.

Abstract: A batting practice device comprising a resiliently flexible and elongate retaining rod, a target member coupled to a distal end of the elongate retaining rod, and a clamping structure for clamping a proximal end of the elongate retaining rod to an environmental structure, such as chain link fence. The target member may be coupled directly to the distal end of the elongate retaining rod as by having the elongate retaining rod pass through a bore hole in the target member. A fixed or selectively removable ball stop may retain the target member on the elongate retaining rod. The clamping structure may incorporate a first clamping block and a second clamping block and a threaded clamping nut that selectively presses the blocks together. The first and second clamping blocks can have first and second elongate clamping furrows for engaging adjacent strands on a chain link fence.

Abstract: A cord controlling device is used in conjunction with a game racket and is composed essentially of a housing formed of a base and an upper cover. The base is provided with a fastening portion by which the device is fastened with the head frame network of the game racket. The base is provided at the center of the upper side thereof with a shaft on which a rotary seat is rotatably mounted. The rotary seat is provided with a receiving chamber in which a volute spring is located such that the volute spring is fastened at one end thereof with the rotary, seat, and at other end thereof with the shaft of the base. A cord reel is mounted on the rotary seat for winding up or letting out a cord which is wound on the cord reel such that the cord is fastened at one end thereof with the cord reel, and that other end of the cord is let out via a cord outlet of the housing for fastening with a ball.

Abstract: A tennis teaching aid for use in instructing tennis players in multiple areas of the game, those areas being: (1) teaching a player how to volley(hit balls in the air close to the net) more effectively by limiting reaction time thus forcing a player to use a more efficient stroke, (2) drastically improve eye-hand coordination through the skill required to meet the ball as it returns rapidly to the face of the string bed of the racquet (3) increase all-around skill by increasing the number of repetitions by which a player contacts the ball. The device includes an enclosed net in which a normal tennis ball can be inserted. The net is tethered to the racquet by means of an elastic cord. The connection to the racquet string bed is accomplished by a plurality of separate hooks that are attached to respective elastic chords. These chords are attached to the main elastic chord which leads to the enclosed net which houses the tennis ball.

Abstract: A sports training tension device that utilizes interchangeable attachment connectors for attaching elastomeric tubing sections between a standard piece of sporting equipment, such as a tennis racket, racquetball racket, etc. and a fixed location such as a tree, post, or other item. A non-elastic strapping connector is provided between lengths of elastomeric tubing for providing additional length without additional elasticity being incorporated.

Abstract: A hockey training device comprising a leader having a swivel attached to one end thereto permit rotation of leader without twisting of the leader and a stop attached to second end of the leader for securing the leader to a hockey puck to enable a person to practice puck handling, a looped member connected to the swivel, a strap having a hook and loop type fastener for releasably securing the strap to a hockey stick and an elastic member having a first end secured to the strap and a second end secured to the split ring for absorbing shocks.

Abstract: A racquet sports training device which can be used by one person alone, either indoors or outdoors, and which enables the user to hit a ball with the racquet and have the ball returned to him thereby allowing repeated hitting and even while the user is on the run. An elastic cord is connected at one end to a ball of the type for hitting by the racquet during playing of the particular sport, and there is provided a component for releasably connecting the opposite end of the cord to the racquet. A swivel is connected to the cord in a manner preventing tangling of the cord during use of the training device. As a result, the user can practice hitting the ball with the racquet, and after each time the ball is hit in a direction away from the racquet the elastic cord returns the ball in a direction toward the racquet.