Abstract: A goal shooting target can be used to develop skills in many sports. The goal shooting target can include a panel that deflects objects when the panel is placed at a face or opening of a sports goal. The panel and sports goal can define target openings through which objects are capable of passing. The panel can be configured to carry a frame of the sports goal such that posts of the sports goal are held off of a support surface upon which the goal shooting target rests.

Abstract: A swing alert system disposed about a baseball setup that includes a pitcher and a batter, with one or more swing alert device that determine a speed and position of a ball along a flightpath of the ball pitched by the pitcher, the flightpath extending from the pitcher to a hitting location target proximate to the batter; determine a time when the ball will reach the hitting location target based at least in part on the determined speed and position of the ball along the flightpath; and generate a swing alert while the ball is traveling along the flightpath and before the ball reaches the hitting location target. The swing alert is generated at a time determined based at least in part on the determined time when the ball will reach the hitting location target and a defined swing time associated with the batter.

Abstract: A hockey puck return target system includes a body extending from a top to a bottom and from a first side to a second side, the body having a curved positioned near the bottom to facilitate puck return; a cover positioned substantially in front of the body, the cover having openings extending through a thickness of the cover; the openings are configured to receive the hockey puck and facilitate entry of the hockey puck into the body; one or more straps attached to the body and to secure the body to a hockey goal.

Abstract: A goal shooting target can be used to develop skills in many sports. The goal shooting target can include a panel that deflects objects when the panel is placed at a face or opening of a sports goal. The panel and sports goal can define target openings through which objects are capable of passing. The panel can be configured to carry a frame of the sports goal such that posts of the sports goal are held off of a support surface upon which the goal shooting target rests.

Abstract: A soccer training facility or arena of this invention includes an upstanding wall system having an upper end and a lower end. The wall system has at least one and preferably a plurality of horizontally spaced-apart rectangular target openings formed therein at the lower end thereof. A training target is positioned in each of the target openings and which is movable between a normally inner position to an outer position. The training target is moved from its inner position to its outer position upon the training target being struck by a soccer ball. The training targets are sequentially illuminated by a controller for a predetermined length of time. The number of illuminated training targets being struck by a soccer ball within a preselected period of time is recorded.

Abstract: A catch net system and frame that allows use in many sports and in many environments for practice of ball release, etc.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a training device are disclosed. The training device is a container that can include a net attached to the top of the container and a sloped surface dividing the container into a top section that returns lacrosse balls to the ground and a bottom section that can be used to stabilize the device. The training device can allow a user to practice precision shooting, cradling, and scooping skills without needing a practice field or a companion to practice with. A method of practicing shooting accuracy and other athletics skills using the training device is also disclosed.

Abstract: To develop a novel tennis training apparatus which allows a player to master a right hitting form of a tennis and allows him/her to train at a high level when he/she has acquired a proficiency in tennis A tennis training apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a sheet supporting frame which can be installed in a proper training place; a hit ball receiving sheet supported by the sheet supporting frame so as to spread in an inclination state rising toward a distal end thereof; and a turning guide portion provided at an upper end of the hit ball receiving sheet in an eave shape curved toward a near side in side view, where after a hit ball which has been hit by a player is received by the hit ball receiving sheet, the ball is turned by the turning guide portion to move downward along the hit ball receiving sheet and fly out of the hit ball receiving sheet as a returning hit ball and the returning hit ball bounds on a base face of the training place to return near the player again, and the p

Abstract: An air driven ball return pitching apparatus that is unique in that the motor, when activated creates a vacuum zone on part of the system and a pressurized zone on the remainder of the system. The motor housing is equipped with a blower that acts upon the system through a Y connection in the pipe. When activated the blower forces air into the pressurized zone and creates the vacuum in that zone. The ball is pitched at the target of the back stop; the ball falls to the bottom which is graded to direct the ball to the return system. The vacuum acts upon the ball causing it to enter the return system and travel to the motor housing where it switches zones into the pressurized zone returning the ball to the pitching position for reuse.

Abstract: A ball retrieval device configured to receive one or more balls from a surface. The ball retrieval device comprises a housing including a first end for receiving one or more balls from a surface and a second end for dispensing said one or more balls from said housing. The ball retrieval device further comprises a retention assembly attached to the first end comprising (a) an expanded foot attached to first end of said housing and graduating in diameter from the first end to the base of said expanded foot; and (b) an interchangeable rubber cap fitted and secured over or into the base of said expanded foot.

Abstract: A multi-sports ball/disk return net system and a method thereof that consistently returns a ball/disk hit, kick, thrown or struck into it back toward a user and that is portable and easy to assemble and disassemble. The multi-sports ball/disk return net system has a frame and a net mounted on or across the frame. The net forms an upper U-shape forward bulging pillow having a square net pattern and a lower U-shape channel or hammock with the square pattern at the opposite ends of the U-shape channel being skewed to become diamond shapes. The net is configured to cause a projectile propelled into the U-shape pillow to drop down to the U-shape channel, which funnels the ball to the lowest and central point of the U-shape channel for discharge toward the user.

Abstract: A multi-sports ball return net system and a method thereof that consistently returns a ball hit, kick, thrown or strike into it directly to a user and is portable, easy to assemble and disassemble. The multi-sports ball return net system has a frame and a net mounted across the frame. The net forms an upper U-shape forward bulging pillow and a lower U-shape channel or hammock. A ball propelled into the U-shape pillow drops down to the U-shape channel, which funnels the ball to the lowest and central point of the U-shape channel for discharge toward the user.

Abstract: A multi-sports ball return net system and a method thereof that consistently returns a ball hit, kick, thrown or strike into it directly to a user and is portable, easy to assemble and disassemble. The multi-sports ball return net system has a frame and a net mounted across the frame. The net forms an upper U-shape forward bulging pillow and a lower U-shape channel or hammock. A ball propelled into the U-shape pillow drops down to the U-shape channel, which funnels the ball to the lowest and central point of the U-shape channel for discharge toward the user.

Abstract: A collapsible basketball return device including pairs of front and rear vertical telescoping posts. Lower and upper horizontal telescoping side support arms extend between a lower portion of each of the front and rear posts. Lower and upper horizontal telescoping end support arms extend between the lower portions of each of the front posts and each of the rear posts, respectively. A net is suspended from the telescoping posts and forms a tunnel in its lower portion that slopes toward and beyond the front of the device when in its fully erected mode. The net is open at its top and the outer end of the tunnel is attached to a discharge chute aimed at the user. The discharge chute is attached to the front telescoping posts by telescoping and rotatable chute support arms.

Abstract: A device for practicing ball sports comprising an enclosure (3) defined by a membrane supported from a self-supporting structure (7), the structure (7) comprising a base (8) having a playing surface (19) and having a forward edge (2) and a support means (9, 10) spaced forwardly and upwardly of the base (8) and supported at least in part from the base (8), the structure (7) further comprising an upstanding frame (11) supported from the sides (12,13) of the base (8) and extending over the base (8), the enclosure (3) being supported from the structure (7) to define a space (6) having an open end (4) and a closed end (5), the space (6) being of a general conical configuration, the open end (4) being supported from the base (8) to maintain the open end (8) in an open condition adjacent the forward edge (2) and the closed end (5) being supported from the support means in spaced relation to the open end (4), wherein the lower portion of the enclosure (3) is inclined downwardly from the closed end (5) to the base (8)

Abstract: A device for practising ball sports comprising an enclosure (3) defined by a membrane supported from a self-supporting structure (7), the structure (7) comprising a base (8) having a playing surface (19) and having a forward edge (2) and a support means (9, 10) spaced forwardly and upwardly of the base (8) and supported at least in part from the base (8), the structure (7) further comprising an upstanding frame (11) supported from the sides (12,13) of the base (8) and extending over the base (8), the enclosure (3) being supported from the structure (7) to define a space (6) having an open end (4) and a closed end (5), the space (6) being of a general conical configuration, the open end (4) being supported from the base (8) to maintain the open end (8) in an open condition adjacent the forward edge (2) and the closed end (5) being supported from the support means in spaced relation to the open end (4), wherein the lower portion of the enclosure (3) is inclined downwardly from the closed end (5) to the base (8)

Abstract: A portable return net device for receiving, arresting and returning a ball to a central collection point for pitched, thrown or batted balls in a ball practice system. The return net apparatus comprises; a net supporting frame, a net for receiving a projected ball, an inclined collection tray operatively associated with the net, and an exit chute, wherein the net is hung untensioned on the supporting frame, on the diagonal, and wherein flaps extending transversely across the base of the hanging net are pivotally connected thereto. The net absorbs the impact of a ball in conjunction with the flaps which trap a ball impacting a tensile zone of the net. The tensile zone comprises that portion of the hanging net below which there is insufficient net weight to arrest a ball in a triangular portion of the net below the point of impact. The arrested ball is conveyed by the collection tray to the exit chute for reuse.

Abstract: A basketball return net assembly is attachable to a basketball hoop support having a post extending upwardly from the ground and carrying a basketball hoop adjacent an upper end thereof. The return net assembly includes a flexible foldable return net and an elongated rigid net-carrying member extending along the upper end of the net to enable the net to be supported in a latterly-extending configuration. The upper end of the net and the net-carrying member can be suspended from an upper portion of the hoop support behind the hoop, and an attachment bracket is connected to opposite lower corner portions of the net and is adjustably securable to the post to enable the bracket to be adjusted relative thereto.

Abstract: A ball striking training system that delivers balls to a user's hitting zone without a horizontal velocity component includes a hopper to hold a plurality of balls and a feeding mechanism which delivers tennis balls to an outlet tube where they are dropped from a chosen height so that they bounce to the height desired by the user. The balls may be struck by a learner into a target area that includes a collection mechanism to collect the balls so that they may easily be returned to the hopper of the feeding mechanism. The system can be set up to be used indoors or outside at the user's convenience.

Abstract: Equipment for use in training penalty taking. The equipment for use with a goal comprising goal posts and a cross bar defining a goal area. The goal area is partially occluded by a transparent or translucent barrier the areas harder to reach by a goalkeeper remaining unoccluded.

Abstract: A ball return chute for a basketball hoop, and a modular basket assembly utilizing the novel chute. The chute engages the hoop by C-shaped members which slip over the rod stock of the hoop at the slot formed in each C. The chute can be rotated three hundred sixty degrees about the hoop, so as to return a ball passing downwardly through the hoop in any selected direction. The basket assembly includes a bracket for permanent attachment to a vertical environmental surface. The bracket has hooks or equivalent receptacles for receiving trunnion arms formed in a member projecting from the hoop. The hoop may thus be removably supported in an operable position by the bracket. The hoop and attached chute are removed from and installed on the bracket when desired.

Abstract: An automated batting swing training apparatus for providing a continuous, successive supply of predominantly vertically tossed balls for a batter to hit. The apparatus includes a ball projector that propels balls for the batter to hit. The balls are propelled from the ball projector in a predominantly vertical direction. A ball stopping backstop includes a section to absorb the force of the balls resulting from being hit by the batter. The automated batting swing training apparatus further includes a detachable guide channel that connects to the backstop, collects the balls from the backstop, and directs the balls to a channel arm that returns the collected balls to the ball projector, where they may again be hit by the batter.