Abstract:
A tool is disclosed for providing multiple assignments of each of a plurality of players or participants to each of a plurality of positions or tasks in a sporting event, game or activity. The positions include playing positions and reserve positions. The tool comprises a base and a plurality of rotatable elements. Each player or participant representation represents one of the plurality of players or participants. Each rotatable element is divided into a unique number of sections. Each section of a rotatable element includes a position or task representation. Each rotatable element is rotatably mountable on the base such that each section of the rotatable element aligns with one of the plurality of player or participant representations on the base and thereby assigns each player or participant to a particular playing position, reserve position or task. New position or task assignments are obtained by rotating the rotatable element and aligning each player or participant representation with a new position or task representation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a tool for assisting the coach of a sports team, or for assisting a group of individuals participating in a game or other activity. More specifically, the invention relates to a tool that provides for a fair rotation of players or participants among a plurality of positions or tasks in a sporting event, game or activity. 
     In recreational sports, such as soccer and baseball, there arc a fixed number of playing positions. In baseball there are nine playing positions, and in adult soccer, there are eleven playing positions. In many youth soccer leagues, there are from three to eight playing positions. Roster sizes vary from team to team, but almost always include more players than playing positions. Typically, in a sporting event in which children are involved, it is important to fairly move the children around among the various playing positions, and make certain that each child receives equal playing time. It is particularly difficult when dealing with younger children to coordinate their activities on the field, teach them how to play the game, while at the same time keeping track of who is playing which position and how long each child has been at each position. It is often impossible to prepare a set rotation of players and positions prior to game time, because the coach does not always know which players will show Lip, nor the total number of players that will show up. 
     The prior art has not adequately addressed the issue of assisting coaches in providing a fair rotation of players among a plurality of positions in a sporting event or game. The prior art only discloses devices for passively tracking the current playing position occupied by each player, but does not disclose a device that pro-actively instructs a coach which players are to occupy the various playing positions and which players are to occupy reserve positions (i.e., out or bench positions). For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,197 (the &#39;197 patent), discloses a volleyball rotation counter. As shown in FIG. 1 of the &#39;197 patent, the volleyball rotation counter  10  includes a frame  20  and two rotatable disks  40 . Rotatable disks  40  have upper surfaces  48  capable of receiving visible, removable markings. Each disk  40  represents a different one of two teams playing volleyball. The two disks  40  arc separated by intermediate portion  170 , which represents the volleyball net between the two teams. Each disk  40  includes six position spaces  140 , representing the twelve playing positions on the volleyball court. In each position space  140 , the umpire marks the number of the player who is in that playing position. The umpire then keeps track of the playing position occupied by each player by rotating the appropriate disk  40  in response to the players of a team rotating playing positions. The &#39;197 patent discloses nothing about accommodating extra players that occupy reserve positions, and providing a rotation of players among playing positions and reserve positions. 
     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,080 (the &#39;080 patent) discloses a game position monitoring device that merely keeps track of the playing position occupied by each member of a team. Referring to FIG. 1 of the &#39;080 patent, the position monitoring device  10  includes a carrying member  12  adapted to receive either the names or uniform numbers of the various playing members of the team, or alternatively, the playing positions that are to be occupied in playing the game. The position monitoring device  10  also includes a rotatable clement  16  that includes spaces  18  for receiving the appropriate information, such as the names or uniform numbers of players, or the playing positions that are to be occupied in playing the game. As with the rotation counter disclosed in the &#39;197 patent, the monitoring device in the &#39;080 patent passively monitors which player is in which playing position, and does not actively assign players to positions, including playing positions and reserve positions. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The coaching tool of the present invention provides advantages that are not realized in prior art devices. The coaching tool disclosed herein actively assigns players to positions, including playing positions and reserve positions, rather than passively monitoring which players are currently occupying the various playing positions. 
     The coaching tool comprises a base and a plurality of rotatable elements. The base is adapted to receive a plurality of player representations. Each player representation represents one of a plurality of players. Each rotatable element is divided into a unique number of sections. Each section of a rotatable element includes a position representation that represents a particular one of the plurality of positions. Each rotatable element is rotatably mountable on the base such that each section of the rotatable element aliens with one of the plurality of player representations on the base and thereby assigns each player to a particular playing position or to a reserve position. New position assignments are obtained by rotating the rotatable element and aligning each player representation with a new position representation. 
     In addition to pro-actively assigning players to playing positions and reserve positions, rather than passively monitoring and reacting to changes in playing position assignments as disclosed in the prior art, there are numerous other differences between the invention disclosed herein and the monitoring devices disclosed in the prior art. The differences will become evident in the following detailed description. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the invention includes a base and a plurality of rotatable elements, and provides a rotation of a plurality of participants among a plurality of tasks. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a coaching tool according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the coaching tool shown in FIG. 1, but with a different player position disk. 
     FIG. 3 is a diagram of a player position matrix. 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a coaching tool with pockets for storing player position disks. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a coaching tool with a cylindrical body. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the coaching tool shown in FIG. 5, but with a different assignment of players to positions. 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a tool for providing a rotation of a plurality of participants among a plurality of tasks. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description is provided primarily in the context of a youth soccer team having six playing positions. The playing positions include three forwards, two defense and one goalie. Although the present invention is described in the context of a youth soccer team, the invention may be used in any sporting event, game or activity in which a fair assignment of players or participants to positions or tasks is desired. 
     FIG. 1 shows coaching tool  10 . Coaching tool  10  includes base  12  and player position disk  16 A. Note that in the following description, specific player position disks are referred to with the reference numeral “ 16 ” having an appended letter, whereas references to player position disks in general do not include the appended letter. As will be discussed in further detail below, each coaching tool  10  includes multiple player position disks  16 , although only a single player position disk  16 A is shown in FIG.  1 . Player position disk  16 A is rotatably mounted on top surface  14  of base  12 , and is easily removable from base  12 . Base  12  and player position disk  16 A are preferably constricted from a durable, lightweight and inexpensive material, such as a plastic or cardboard, although other materials may be used. Base  12  is approximately eleven inches long, eight and a half inches wide and one sixteenth of an inch thick, while player position disk  16 A is approximately four to five inches in diameter and approximately one sixteenth of an inch thick. Other dimensions may be used. 
     Player position disk  16 A includes arrow  18 , positions  24 , dividers  26 , position number indicator  28  and sectors  30 . Sectors  30  are separated from one another by dividers  26 , which begin at the center of player position disk  16 A, extend radially outward, and end at the outer circumference of the disk. Each sector  30  is pre-marked with a position  24 . Positions  24  include playing positions (e.g., goal, right forward, left defense), and reserve positions (e.g., “out”). Position number indicator  28  provides an indication of the number of sectors  30 , and correspondingly the number of positions  24  on the player position disk. Arrow  18  indicates the direction that player position disk  16 A is to be rotated during a game. Just prior to the start of a game, player representations  32  are written on the top surface  14  of base  12 . The top surface  14  of base  12  preferably allows erasable markings to be made thereon. Player representations  32  may be player names, uniform numbers, both player names and uniform numbers or other markings that differentiate the various players. 
     Each coaching tool  10  includes multiple player position disks  16 . Each player position disk  16  has a different position number indicator  28 . Thus, virtually any number of positions can be accommodated. If eight players show up for a particular game, player position disk  16 A (shown in FIG. 1) would be selected and mounted on base  12 . On the other hand, if an additional player shows up just prior to game time, making nine total players, player position disk  16 B (shown in FIG. 2) having nine sectors  30  would be chosen and mounted on base  12 . After the appropriate player position disk  16  is selected and mounted on base  12 , the name or uniform number of each player is written on base  12  next to one of the positions  24 . At regular intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes), player position disk  16  is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow  18 . Thus, the player in the goalie position (Jesse) would become the center, and one of the players who was sitting out (Jason) would become the goalie, etc. In alternative embodiments, player representations  32  and positions  24  are switched, so that player representations  32  appear on player position disks  16 , while positions  24  appear on base  12 . 
     Coaching tool  10  further includes instructions  20  and advertisements  22 A and  22 B. Instructions  20  provide guidance to a player or coach on the proper operation of the coaching tool. Advertisements  22 A and  22 B are easily added to coaching tool  10  to promote various products and services. 
     FIG. 2 shows coaching tool  10  with player position disk  16 B rotatably mounted thereon. Player position disk  16 B is the same as player position disk  16 A shown in FIG. 1, but includes nine sectors  30  and positions  24  rather than eight. Position number indicator  28  provides an easily noticeable indication that there are nine positions  24  on player position disk  16 B. 
     As with player position disk  16 A shown in FIG. 1, player position disk  16 B shown in FIG. 2 is removable to allow a different player position disk  16  having a different number of positions  24  to be mounted on the base. The proper player position disk  16  is selected based on the number of players that show up for a given game. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the number of player position disks  16  for a given coaching tool  10  is limited by printing on both sides of the player position disks. Thus, for example, player positions disks  16 A and  16 B could be made into a single player position disk by printing the information from disk  16 A onto the back side of disk  16 B. 
     In further alternative embodiments, player position disks  16  are permanently, rotatably mounted on base  12 . For example, player position disk  16 A could be permanently, rotatably mounted on the top surface  14  of base  12 , and player position disk  16 B could be permanently mounted on a bottom surface of base  12 . In such an embodiment, additional bases  12  having additional player position disks  16  would be desirable to accommodate more team sizes. 
     FIG. 3 shows player position matrix  40 . Player position matrix  40  consists of a plurality of columns  44  and a plurality of rows  46 . At the intersection of each column  44  and row  46  is a position entry  48 . Player position matrix  40  provides a preferred rotation of positions for various numbers of players. At the top of each column  44 , a heading  42  is provided that indicates the number of player positions in that column. Each position entry  48  under a heading  42  corresponds to one of the pre-marked positions  24  on a player position disk  16 . Each column  44  corresponds to one player position disk  16 , and indicates how the positions  24  should be arranged on the player position disk. Since there are seven columns in player position matrix  40 , with the number of players ranging from six to twelve, there are also preferably seven player position disks  16  associated with each coaching tool  10 , with the number of positions  24  also ranging from six to twelve. Other numbers of player position disks  16  may be used. Also, player position disks  16  with different numbers of positions and different rotations of positions may be used as well. 
     FIG. 4 shows coaching tool  60 , which includes base  62 , erasable surface  66 , and player position disks  16 A- 16 D. Base  62  and player position disks  16 A- 16 D are preferably constricted from a durable, lightweight and inexpensive material, such as a plastic or cardboard, although other materials may be used. Player position disk  16 D is shown rotatably mounted on base  62 . Erasable surface  66  encircles player position disk  16 D. Alternatively erasable surface  66  may encompass the entire top surface  64  of base  62 , thereby allowing erasable markings to be made on the entire top surface of base  62 . Base  62  includes four pockets  68 A- 68 D (collectively referred to as pockets  68 ) formed therein. Each pocket  68  is adapted to receive one player position disk  16 . Pockets  68  provide for easy storage and retrieval of the player position disks. Preferably, each player position disk  16  includes a different number for position number indicator  28 , and correspondingly a different number of positions  24 . 
     Coaching tool  60  operates in the same manner as the coaching tool shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The appropriate player position disk  16  is chosen based on the number of players that show up for a given game. The player names or uniform numbers are then written on erasable surface  66  adjacent to positions  24 . At periodic intervals, the player position disk  16  is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow  18 , and the players move to their new position assignments as indicated by positions  24 . If additional players join the game, or if a player has to leave the game early, a different player position disk  16  may be removed from one of the pockets  68  of base  62 . The newly selected disk would then be mounted on base  62 , and the process would be repeated. 
     FIG. 5 shows coaching tool  70 . Coaching tool  70  includes cylindrical base  72  and cylindrical top  78 . Cylindrical top  78  is rotatably mounted on cylindrical base  72 . Cylindrical base  72  and cylindrical top  78  are preferably constructed from a durable, lightweight and inexpensive material, such as a plastic or cardboard, although other materials may be used. Coaching tool  70  is preferably about nine inches long and about two inches in diameter, so that it can easily be held in an individual&#39;s hand. The outer surface of cylindrical base  72  is preferably made from a material that allows erasable markings to be made thereon. Therefore, player representations  32  may easily be written on cylindrical base  72 , erased and changed. Player position list  82  is wrapped around the outer surface of cylindrical top  78 . Player position list  82  is preferably constructed from a rectangular sheet of paper that is wrapped around cylindrical top  7 , and held in place by a rubber band, adhesive, or other similar temporary attachment means. Player position list  82  is divided into multiple sections  80 . Each section  80  includes a position  24  and a position number  74 . Sections  80  arc separated from one another by dividers  76 . Arrows  18  appear on various portions of player position list  82 . Coaching tool  70  includes multiple player position lists  82 , each having a different number of sections  80  and positions  24 . 
     As with the coaching tools shown in FIGS. 1,  2 , and  4 , the correct player position list  82  is selected based on the number of players that show up for a given game. When the appropriate player position list  82  is selected, it is wrapped around cylindrical top  78  and held in place by a rubber band or non-permanent adhesive. Player representations  32  are then written on cylindrical base  72  adjacent to position numbers  74 . At periodic intervals during the game, cylindrical top  78  is twisted or rotated such that each player is assigned to a new position. 
     FIG. 6 shows coaching tool  70 , which is the same as the coaching tool shown in FIG. 5, but cylindrical top  78  has been rotated a distance of one section in the direction indicated by arrows  18 . Therefore, Neil, who was in a right defensive position (position “DR” as shown in FIG. 5) moves to a right forward position (position “FR” as shown in FIG.  6 ). Similarly, Phil, who was out of the game as indicated in FIG. 5, comes into the game in a right defensive position (“DR”) as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     In addition to sporting events, games and related activities, the present invention may be used in other contexts as well. FIG. 7 illustrates one such application. FIG. 7 shows home chore tool  90 , which is constructed in the same manner as the coaching tool shown in FIG.  4 . Home chore tool  90  includes base  62 , erasable surface  66  and home chore disks  94 A- 94 D. Home chore disk  94 D is shown rotatably mounted on top surface  64  of base  62 . Home chore disks  94  include arrows  18 , dividers  26  sectors  30 , chore representations  98  and chore number indicator  100 . Chore representations  98  include actual chores, such as vacuuming and dusting, and may also include one or more “rest” assignments, which indicate that no work is assigned for that period. 
     Erasable surface  66  encircles home chore disk  94 D. Alternatively, erasable surface  66  may encompass the entire top surface  64  of base  62 , thereby allowing erasable markings to be made on the entire top surface of base  62 . Base  62  includes four pockets  68 A- 68 D (collectively referred to as pockets  68 ) formed therein. Each pocket  68  is adapted to receive one home chore disk  94 . Pockets  68  provide for easy storage and retrieval of the home chore disks. 
     Home chore tool  90  is operated in the same manner as the coaching tools described above. One of the home chore disks  94  is selected and rotatably mounted on top surface  64  of base  62 . Family member representations  96  are written on erasable surface  66  next to chore representations  98 . Home chore disk  94 D is periodically rotated in the direction indicated by arrows  18 , thereby providing a new assignment of chores to individual family members. 
     Multiple home chore disks  94  arc preferably used in each home chore tool  90  to accommodate various numbers of chores and eligible family members. For example, the number of chores may increase in some weeks, and decrease in other weeks. Likewise, the number of eligible family members may change from week to week (e.g., certain family members may be out of town for an extended period of time, certain family members may be rewarded for doing well in school by having their names removed from the home chore tool for a week, or certain family members may be punished by having their name written down multiple times on the home chore tool). 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.