Abstract:
The present invention is a soccer trainer [ 1000 ] which allows players to practice kicking a soccer ball toward a target and/or positioning themselves inside of the goal. It employs a flexible kick pad [ 1100 ] indicating where to kick a soccer ball from, and at least two guidelines [ 1370 ] from either side of the kick pad [ 1100 ] to the sides of the goal [ 10 ]. The guidelines [ 1370 ] are used to identify the maximum angle to kick the ball which will result in a goal. The guidelines [ 1370 ] can be retracted onto a reel [ 1350 ] inside base mechanism [ 1300 ] for storage. In order to practice kicking past players by curving the ball around defenders, simulated blockers [ 1320 ] are used. These simulate blockers [ 1320 ] attached to different attachment points [ 1410 ] on base mechanism [ 1300 ] represent various sized players at various distances.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a novel training device which instructs a soccer player to accurately aim and kick a soccer ball and to defend a soccer goal. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0004]    Soccer is a sport played on a field with boundaries and consists of the following elements: two opposing teams, a soccer ball, goals located on either end of the field, and is governed by the laws of the game. A soccer team is comprised of not less than seven and not more than eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper or “goalie.” The purpose of the goalie is to guard the goal and prevent the opposing team from scoring. 
         [0005]    The goal is located at either end of the field and is comprised of two upright posts located 8 yards apart, called the goal posts and a horizontal cross bar connecting the tops of the goal posts at a distance 8 feet from the ground. 
         [0006]    The failure of a player to properly position himself or herself in the goal reduces their chances of blocking a shot kicked toward the goal, referred to a shot “on goal”. 
         [0007]    Other players attempt shots on goal, in which a shot on goal is any attempt to score a goal according to the rules of the game. A goal is scored when the soccer ball passes into the goal. 
         [0008]    A common problem an opposing player faces is to achieve accurate aim, prior to a shot on goal, in relation to the goal and the other players on the field. The failure of the player to optimally position him or herself in relation to the goal reduces the chances that the player will score. 
         [0009]    Due to the positioning of opposing players on the field, there may be no straight line into the goal. An experienced soccer player would have to curve the ball around players or objects to get it into the goal. 
         [0010]    Prior art devices rely on the existence of a “straight shot” to the goal, which do not require the player to curve the ball into the goal. 
         [0011]    Currently, there is a need for a soccer training device that provides an easy to use mechanism for teaching player kicking the ball into the goal and one defending the goal to position themselves properly. In addition, there is currently a need for a soccer training device to teach a player how to spin the soccer ball to curve it into the goal. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    One embodiment of the present invention is A soccer trainer [ 1000 ] for teaching a player to properly kick a soccer ball on a field between a left goal post [ 11 ] and a right goal post [ 13 ] and beneath the crossbar [ 15  of a soccer goal [ 10 ] comprising:
       a) a kick pad [ 1100 ] for protecting said field and for identifying where to place said soccer ball;   b) at least two lengths of guideline [ 1370 ] having a first end and a second end where the first end of each connects to each of said goal posts [ 13 , 15 ];   c) a base mechanism [ 1300 ] connected to the kick pad [ 1100 ] having a left and a right side, one end of guideline [ 1370 ] extending from the left side of the base mechanism [ 1300 ] and attaching to said left goal post [ 11 ], the second end of guideline [ 1370 ] extending from the right side of the base mechanism [ 1300 ] and attaching to the right goal post [ 13 ] to define a maximum angle for kicking said soccer ball into said goal [ 10 ].       
 
         [0016]    The invention may also be embodied as a soccer trainer [ 1000 ] for teaching a player to properly kick a soccer ball on a field between a left goal post [ 11 ] and a right goal post [ 13 ] and beneath the crossbar [ 15 ] of a soccer goal [ 10 ] comprising:
       a) a kick pad [ 1100 ] for protecting said field and for identifying where to place said soccer ball;   b) a first guideline [ 1371 ] connected to left goalpost [ 11 ],   c) a second guideline [ 1373 ] connected to the right goal post [ 13 ];   d) a base mechanism [ 1300 ] connected to the kick pad [ 1100 ] having a left and a right side, the base mechanism comprising:
           a first reel [ 2351 ] housed in the left side of the base mechanism adapted to retract and store the first guideline [ 1371 ],   
           a second reel [ 2353 ] housed in the right side of the base mechanism adapted to retract and store the second guideline [ 1373 ] to define a maximum angle for kicking said soccer ball between the left goal post [ 11 ] and the right goal post [ 13 ].       
 
         [0023]    The invention may also be embodied as a method of training a player to correctly kick a soccer ball into a goal [ 10 ] having a left and right side, comprising the steps of:
       a) providing a kick pad [ 1100 ] having a right side and a left side, for holding said soccer ball intended to be kicked;   b) providing a retractable guideline [ 1371 ] from the left side of the kick pad [ 1100 ] to the left side of the goal [ 10 ],   c) providing a retractable guideline [ 1373 ] from the right side of the kick pad [ 1100 ] to the right side of the goal, thereby defining a region between the guidelines [ 1371 ,  1373 ] in which to kick the soccer ball;   d) kicking the soccer ball between the guidelines [ 1371 ,  1373 } to score a goal; and   e) retracting each of the guidelines [ 1371 ,  1373 ] after use for storage.       
 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a soccer training device which enables a soccer player to improve his/her positional awareness in relation to the goal and/or the player kicking the soccer ball. 
         [0030]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a soccer training device which enables soccer players to improve their aim for shots on goal. 
         [0031]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a soccer training device which enables soccer players to learn to apply spin to curve shots around players. 
         [0032]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a soccer training device which is easy to assemble, disassemble, and store. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    The advantages of the instant disclosure will become more apparent when read with the specification and the drawings, wherein: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view of one embodiment of the soccer trainer according to the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the kick pad portion of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of one embodiment of the base mechanism of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged side elevational view of one embodiment of the base mechanism of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged plan view from the bottom of one embodiment of the base mechanism of  FIG. 1  with the base cover removed. 
           [0039]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of the ends of the guidelines of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the base mechanism according to the present invention shown with the base cover removed. 
           [0041]      FIG. 8  is an overall perspective view of another embodiment of the soccer trainer according to the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged side elevational view of another embodiment of the retraction device  1500  of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0043]      FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view of one embodiment of the soccer trainer  1000  according to the present invention. 
         [0044]    In this view a soccer goal  10  having goal posts  11  and a cross bar  13  is shown. The soccer trainer employs a flexible kick pad  1100  which is placed on the ground a distance from the goal  10 . 
         [0045]    A base mechanism  1300  has a rigid housing which attaches to the kick pad  1100 . Base mechanism  1300  is designed to be anchored in place to restrict its movement. 
         [0046]    A base guideline  1370  extends from the base mechanism  1300  toward each of the goal posts  11 . The base guideline  1370  which is tape or rope, which is preferably ¼″ wide that has markings along its length to identify feet, yards and/or meters. 
         [0047]    Base mechanism  1300  encloses a spool ( 1350  of  FIGS. 4-5 ) which stores the base guideline  1370  when not in use. The spool may be spring-loaded or reeled by a manual crank. 
         [0048]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the kick pad  1100  of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . The kick pad  1100  has several lines showing a proposed path of the soccer ball to which will hit the furthest extent inside the left or right of the goal when positioned a fixed distance from the goal  10 . There are several lines based upon the size of the soccer ball being used. For example, a set of lines  1110  for a size 3 soccer ball, another set of lines  1120  for a size 4 soccer ball and another set of lines  1130  for a size 5 soccer ball. These lines may be color coded for children to use. 
         [0049]    Kick pad  1100  may also employ arrows  1140  indicating the direction in which to kick the soccer ball. The direction arrows  1140  may be made of a rough non-slip material. They may also be slightly raised for traction. 
         [0050]    The kick pad  1100  is preferably approximately 18 inches long and 13 inches wide at its widest point. It has angled sides. It also has one end  1150  which is shaped to mate with the base mechanism  1300 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of one embodiment of the base mechanism ( 1300  of  FIG. 1 ). It is made of a rigid material such as a hard plastic. It has a low profile with a smooth surface allowing a soccer ball to easily pass over it when kicked. 
         [0052]    It has a mating end  1390  which attaches to the mating end  1150  of the kick pad  1100 . 
         [0053]    Base mechanism  1300  includes the spool ( 1350  of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) which holds and provides a length of base guideline  1370 . Base guideline  1370  extends out of exit holes  1310  in base mechanism  1300 . 
         [0054]    Base guidelines  1370  extend until they attach to the retractable guidelines  1510  from the retraction devices  1500 . 
         [0055]    The base mechanism  1300  has a plurality of anchor holes  1330 . 
         [0056]    At least one simulated blocker  1320  is supplied. This is a barrier which simulates players on the field trying to block the kick of a player. It is sized and positioned to approximate a normal sized player at various distances. For example, the minimum distance that a player can stand from a player kicking a free kick is 10 yards for 10 year old soccer player. The average height of a 10 year old player is 5′. The simulated blockers  1320  are 2.5″ high. If the simulated blocker  1320  is placed at a distance from the ball of 15″, it is equivalent to a 5′ blocker standing 10 yards from the player. 
         [0057]    The simulated blockers  1320  may be a pop-up type or may be removable and can be inserted into a number of different attachment points  1410  at different locations. 
         [0058]    If the simulated blocker  1320  is moved to a location 12.5″ from the ball, it approximates a 6′ blocker 10 yards away. 
         [0059]    If one were to place the soccer trainer  1000  twenty yards from the goal and place the simulated blocker  1320  at a location 18.75″ from the ball, and kick over the simulated blocker the trajectory of the ball will be just below the cross bar of the goal, approximately 8″ high. 
         [0060]    Therefore, the position of the simulated blockers  1320  may be moved to simulate players of different sizes and/or locations. 
         [0061]    Also, one may kick the ball between the simulated blockers  1320  into the goal  10 . This provides practice on shooting between players. 
         [0062]    There is a more advanced type of kick which allows a player to spin the ball and make it curve around objects. This is especially important when there is no straight line from the starting point to the desired target location. Practicing this type of kick is difficult, especially since it is difficult to measure when one is improving. 
         [0063]    Furthermore, when in use, the soccer trainer  1000  instructs the goalie as to the appropriate position from which to best defend the goal  10 . In particular, the goalie can learn to defend the goal from players who kick the soccer ball to the goal from acute (lateral) angles and/or defend the goal against a curved trajectory of the soccer ball. 
         [0064]    One may practice by placing the simulated blockers  1320  at a location which blocks a straight line shot to a target, such as the right target flag ( 1703  of  FIG. 1 ). The player then kicks and spins the ball so that it curves around the simulated blocker  1320  and hits the target flag ( 1703  of  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0065]    Once this is accomplished, the player may move the simulated blocker  1320  more toward the left into another location. The same exercise is performed. A greater curve is now required to hit the target flag ( 1703  of  FIG. 1 ). One can now quantify the amount of curve based upon the distance from the goal and the position of the simulated blocker  1320 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the base mechanism  1300  of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0067]    In this figure the simulated blocker  1320  is shown attached to the base housing  1303 . 
         [0068]    At least one stud  1340  passes through the anchor holes  1330  and into the ground to secure the base mechanism  1300  in place. 
         [0069]    The spool  1350  is shown with the base guideline  1370  extending from it. 
         [0070]    The spool  1350  may also employ a spring mechanism  1357  which will act to draw in the guideline  1370  for storage. 
         [0071]      FIG. 5  is a plan view from the bottom of one embodiment of the base mechanism ( 1300  of  FIG. 1 ) with the base cover removed. 
         [0072]    Here spool  1350  is shown having a core  1351  around which base guideline  1370  is wrapped. In this embodiment, a crank arm  1355  is manually rotated causing base guideline to be pulled into the base mechanism  1300  and wrapped around the core  1351 . 
         [0073]    When fully extended, base guideline  1370  is allowed to freely pass through core hole  1353 . This allows more or less of the base guideline  1370  to extend from either side. 
         [0074]    Studs  1340  are shown here extending out of the plane of the page. 
         [0075]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of the ends of the guidelines of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0076]    Here guideline  1371 ,  1373  is shown partially extended. It has markings  1375  indicating the length of guideline extended. Here the markings are in terms of meters. They may be any unit of measurement including yards, feet or any combinations of these. 
         [0077]    The end of guideline  1371 ,  1373  has a connecting strap  1513 ,  1533  which removeably connects the guideline to one of the goal posts  11 ,  13 . These may be hook-and-loop connectors similar to the product Velcro®. Any other known removeable attachment device may be used, such as snaps, clips and belts. 
         [0078]    It also shows target flags  1701 ,  1703  located near each goal post  11 ,  13  when in use. 
         [0079]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the base mechanism  1300  according to the present invention shown with a base cover removed. The substantially flat base cover (not shown) covers the bottom of the base mechanism  1300 . 
         [0080]    Here, the guideline  1370  is actually two guidelines  1371 ,  1373 . Each connects to a separate reel  2351 ,  2353 . When not in use, each guideline  1371 ,  1373  are reeled into and stored on reels  2351 ,  2353  respectively. 
         [0081]    Spring mechanisms  2371  and  2373  may be employed which are tensioned when the guidelines  1371 ,  1373  are extended. The spring mechanisms  2371 ,  2373  then aid in reeling in guidelines  1371 ,  1373  when the soccer trainer is intended to be disassembled and stored. 
         [0082]      FIG. 8  is an overall perspective view of another embodiment of the soccer trainer according to the present invention. 
         [0083]    This is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . The embodiment of  FIG. 8  employs two separate guidelines  1371 ,  1373 . Also, the spool  1350  in the base mechanism  1300  of  FIG. 1  is replaced by a pair of retraction devices  1510 ,  1530  located at the left goal post  11  and the right goal post  13 . 
         [0084]    In an alternative embodiment of the invention both retractor devices  1500  and internal spools  2351 ,  2353 , or reel  1350  may be used together. In this case, guidelines  1371 ,  1373  connect with guidelines  1511 ,  1531 , respectively at connectors  1550 . 
         [0085]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged side elevational view of another embodiment of the retraction device  1500  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0086]    Retraction device  1510 ,  1530  employs a retraction spool  1560  which may be spring loaded, or may be manually operated. It functions in a similar manner to that of spool  1350  of the base mechanism  1300 . 
         [0087]    Retraction spool  1560  is allowed to retract and store, or extend the retractable guidelines  1511 ,  1531 . 
         [0088]    Retraction device  1510 ,  1530  has a connector strap  1513 ,  1533  which is used to attach retraction device  1510 ,  1530  to the goal post  11 ,  13 . 
         [0089]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for the purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.