Abstract: An athletic practice machine for training offensive and defensive players, such as football players and for training martial arts and kick boxing athletes. Each dummy of the training device may be latched in a spring loaded retracted position and the dummies may be individually released to spring to a forward leaning position simulating opponent movement. The dummy release may be accomplished by movement of a coach's staff. In training units having three laterally spaced dummies, the end dummies are positioned forward of the central dummy and face inwardly to form an arc. Movement of the helmet bearing staff forward releases the central dummy and lateral movement of the helmet bearing staff releases the dummy on the side toward which the staff is moved.

Abstract: A scrum machine (10) comprises pads (21) which are carried by a central frame portion (12) on which is mounted two pairs of ground engageable wheels (31, 32, 131, 132). The ground engageable wheels may be raised and lowered to adjust the extent to which the central frame rests on the ground. Additional resistance is offered by optional traction wheels (37, 38). Each traction wheel has its own brake (151).

Abstract: Mobile resistance training apparatus and a method of resistance training for an athlete. The apparatus and method of the present invention are not sport-specific; they are applicable to train and exercise individuals in various disciplines. The preferred apparatus of the present invention is a vehicle having a steering system, a braking system, a mechanism for varying resistance, and a pushing and or pulling apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention, the operator steers the vehicle in a random or predetermined direction as the participant (i.e., individual being trained) pushes or pulls the vehicle. In addition to controlling the direction of movement of the vehicle, the operator also controls the amount of resistance that the participant must overcome in order to move the vehicle. Alternatively, the direction of the vehicle and the resistance level can be controlled remotely and/or by the participant.

Abstract: An athlete practice machine for training offensive and defensive players, football players and for training martial arts and kick boxing athletes. Each dummy of the training device may be latched in a spring loaded retracted position and the dummies may be individually released to spring to a forward leaning position simulating opponent movement. The dummy release may be accomplished by movement of a coach's staff. In training units having three laterally spaced dummies, the end dummies are positioned forward of the central dummy and face inwardly to form an arc. Movement of the helmet bearing staff forward releases the central dummy and lateral movement of the helmet bearing staff releases the dummy on the side toward which the staff is moved.

Abstract: A stationary blocking/tackling platform for football comprising up to seven parallel blocking/tackling padded dummies movable along a track and returnable to the original position. The sled is suitable for football player training ranging from junior high school to the professional ranks.

Abstract: An exercising device for strengthening the muscles used in pitching or throwing a baseball or softball or swinging a baseball or softball bat. In a preferred embodiment the exercising device is characterized by a base and a vertical support post upward-standing from the base. A pulley housing is provided on the support post and a pulley and an eccentric cam wheel are rotatably mounted in the housing. A cam tensioning device is provided on the rear of the housing for exerting a preselected torsional resistance on the cam wheel and a torque cable connects the pulley and cam wheel, such that the cam wheel rotates with the pulley. A pull cable trained on the pulley extends through an opening provided in the pulley housing and a baseball, softball or the impact end of a bat is removably attached to the extending end of the pull cable.

Abstract: Football practice equipment which can be in the form of a one-man tackling sled or a multiple-man blocking sled equipped with connecting apparatus. By connecting tackling sleds together, a blocking sled can be created upon which is mounted the desired number of dummies for use in training football players in the art of blocking and tackling, individually or in team formations. The tackling sleds are connected together to form multiple dummy blocking sleds by attaching connecting members between as many of the tackling sleds as desired. The connection between the tackling sleds is made via channel members on the tackling sleds with locking handles for securing the connecting members in their associated channel members.

Abstract: A football training and evaluation apparatus has a frame, a contacting element, and a force transferring member connected to the frame and the contacting element. A measuring-signaling element is connected to the force transferring member and is adapted to measure the force subjected on the force transferring member in response to an impact force subjected onto the contacting element and deliver a signal "S" responsive to said measurement. A visual signaling apparatus is connected to the frame and adapted to be actuateable and moveable in response to actuation.

Abstract: In a blocking training apparatus, a motion control apparatus for coupling intermediate the sled frame or surface and a blocking pad assembly enables movement of the blocking pad both horizontally and vertically, with variable degrees of resistance throughout the whole exercise. The disclosed apparatus includes a planar base having a pair of vertical castings extending upwards therefrom which define a pair of separate, noncontiguous, and nonparallel tracks, a travel plate movably mounted within the tracks and a source of resistance, such as a coil spring and/or shock absorber attached between the travel plate and the base. The tracks include a pair of rear tracks which extent parallel to the plane of the base and a pair of front tracks which extent along an incline with respect to the plane of the base, enabling the blocking pad assembly to be pushed first rearwardly and then upwardly to more closely mimic the body movements and momentum of an opponent during the blocking exercise.

Abstract: An elongated support member extends generally vertically upward from a playing surface. An elongated arm extends outward from two opposite sides of the support member in generally perpendicular relationship to the support member. The arm has freedom of rotation about the support member. At least two blocking dummy holders are configured to be suspended from the arm such that at least one each of the blocking dummy holders is positioned on each of the two opposite sides of the support member. Each of the blocking dummy holders has freedom of rotation about the arm, whereby a person on the playing surface who strikes a blocking dummy held by the blocking dummy holder will cause the arm to rotate about the support member and the blocking dummy to rotate about the arm.

Abstract: A scrum machine with an articulated head formed of an extendable actuator arm mounted on the forward end of the scrum machine and extending upwardly from the ground, and preferably extending forwardly as well, with a pad carrying forward thrusting ram pivotally mounted on a pivot on the extendable actuator arm and locatable in selected angular positions about the pivot. An angle actuator controllably changes the angular position of the forward thrusting ram about the pivot. The angle actuator is pivotally attached to an end of the forward thrusting ram remote from the pad and pivotally mounted on the extendable actuator arm. A scrum machine having a movable pad carrying head is provided with a ground engaging base that includes a front wheel mounted on the forward end of the frame and a rear wheel or wheels mounted for steering about a substantially vertical axis on the rearward end of the frame. Steering of the rear wheel or wheels is controlled by a steering actuator.

Abstract: A football instructional device comprises a plurality of blocking/tackling practice devices with a net releasably spanning the devices. Each device comprises a circular base having a truncated cone extending therefrom. The cone presents a dummy for delivering impact forces thereon. At the top of each dummy is a telescopic rod assembly with clamp thereon for adjusting the height of the net above the ground. The configuration of each device with and/or without the net forces the player to stay in a low position while practicing blocking/tackling techniques. The dummy/net combination can also define a course for players to perform muscle strengthening techniques such as "crabbing," "duckwalking" or other exercises requiring the player to move in a low position underneath the net-like ceiling.