Tennis training apparatus

An apparatus for training the overhead service in tennis. The apparatus comprises indicators of a target base area and of correct feet placement, a connecting member between the two indicators, and, optionally, a flexible connecting member between the target base area indicator and a tennis ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field) 
This invention relates to a tennis training apparatus. More particularly, 
the invention relates to an apparatus suitable for training the overhead 
service in tennis. 
2. Background Art 
Those acquainted with the game will appreciate that the service in tennis 
is of the utmost importance, firstly, for a casual player who intends 
having an enjoyable game of tennis, and secondly, more importantly, for a 
more serious player who intends winning. Tossing the tennis ball and feet 
placement are essential for a good service. As the toss is the most 
important part of the service, it follows that if a player can obtain and 
maintain consistency in the toss, a higher percentage of first services 
will go into the service court. 
For the tennis overhead service, an optimum toss height and position 
exists. For a right-handed player, this height and position can be 
visualized as contained in an imaginary cylinder of space out to his right 
in front. Furthermore, this optimum height and position define the ideal 
point where a racket, on the stroke during serving, should connect the 
tennis ball. This ideal point will be called the target, while the target 
base area is the base of the imaginary cylinder, this base necessarily 
being on the ground. Consistency in the toss implies that a tennis ball 
should each time be tossed to the target. Should the tennis ball be 
allowed to drop from the target, it will land in the target base. Mainly 
three aspects are of relevance to the service, namely, the player's grip 
of the racket, his shoulders, and the toss. Any deviation from the target 
will cause the player to compensate for the bad toss. When the 
right-handed player, for example, tosses the ball too far to his left, his 
shoulders open too soon resulting in an incorrect angle. Consequently, a 
continental serving grip, which is considered the correct serving grip, 
becomes a semi-western grip in order to get the tennis ball in the service 
court. Such a toss impairs the serving power due to the shoulders and body 
weight pulling away, instead of going through the target. As for the toss, 
optimum feet placement is essential, said placement giving a good 
indication of the flight path of the tennis ball having been served. A 
need thus exists for an apparatus designed to give a better understanding 
of the toss and feet placement. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Disclosure of the Invention 
According to the invention, there is provided an apparatus suitable for 
training a tennis service, comprising: 
indicating means for indicating a target base area; 
a positioning means for correct feet placement; 
a connecting member for inter-connecting the indicating and positioning 
means, and, optionally 
joining means for joining a tennis ball or the like to the indicating 
means. 
Preferably, the toss target base area indicating means are ring shaped. In 
this context, it will be appreciated that any suitable circle-shaped means 
will suffice to indicate the target base area. Conveniently, the target 
base area has a diameter of approximately 355 mm (14 inches); the area may 
lie between 150 mm and 500 mm. Preferably, the target base area indicating 
means are provided with anchoring means for anchoring the indicating means 
to the ground. Conveniently, these anchoring means are protrusions, e.g., 
like a spike or a peg. 
The positioning means for correct feet placement preferably comprise an 
elongate member and two pairs of shortened members connectable to either 
side of the elongate member at suitable angles thereto. The connections 
may be established by fitting the members into or through holes provided 
in or extending through the elongate member. Conveniently, the members of 
each pair of shortened members are spaced apart along the elongate member 
so that a foot may be placed in between the two members of a pair of 
shortened members. Still more conveniently, the two pairs of shortened 
members are spaced apart along the elongate member. The pairs so spaced 
will allow a tennis player to take a suitable stance while the serve is 
trained. As the shortened members are connectable to the elongate member, 
said stance may be varied to the liking of the tennis player. As an 
alternative to the two pairs of shortened members, suitable plates, being 
platforms on which the feet may be placed, may be employed. 
Preferably, the elongate member is adapted to be filled with sand or water 
to weigh it down to the ground. Alternatively, the elongate member may be 
provided with anchoring means for anchoring it to the ground conveniently. 
These anchoring means may be protrusions, such as a spike or a peg. The 
applicant has found that an elongate member having a length of 
approximately 787 mm (31 inches) will suffice. Members between 500 mm and 
1,000 mm will be convenient. 
Preferably, the connecting member for inter-connecting the indicating and 
positioning means is pivotally connected to each of these means. These 
connections allow the indicating and positioning means to be movable 
relatively to each other, thus allowing adjustment of the indicating means 
to both sides of the positioning means to accommodate both left-handed and 
right-handed players. Conveniently, the connecting member is adapted to 
allow the indicating means to be adjustable towards and away from the 
positioning means. Still more conveniently, the connecting member is 
provided with holes in or extending through it to accommodate a pivot. The 
pivot connecting the indicating means and connecting member may be 
removable. Consequently, the indicating means being in a position relative 
to the positioning means may be disconnected from the connecting member 
and moved towards or away from the positioning means and reconnected to 
the connecting member using the removed pivot inserted in or through a 
hole in the connecting member. 
Preferably, the connection connecting the positioning means to the 
connecting member is provided with fastening means to prevent the 
connecting member from moving around during serving. 
Preferably, the connecting means for connecting the tennis ball or the like 
to the indicating means is an elastic cord. In one embodiment of the 
invention, this cord is adjustable to the optimum toss height. Should the 
tennis ball be tossed too high, it will merely return towards the ground 
through the target, thus allowing the tennis player to strike the ball 
when at the target. In another embodiment of the invention, the cord is 
adjustable in such a way to allow the tennis ball to be served into the 
service court and to return the ball to the player. 
In an alternative embodiment, the positioning means comprises a single 
plate on which the tennis player stands. Marks thereon indicate correct 
placement of the forward foot, correct placement of the rear foot 
(preferably indicating a plurality of possible placements of the rear 
foot, the correct placement varying upon the tennis player's shoulder 
width), correct placement of the connecting member for a flat serve, for a 
spin serve, for a slice serve and for a kick serve, and correct placement 
of the plate with respect to a tennis court's service line. 
In the alternative embodiment, the plate may comprise an obverse side 
having marks indicating correct positionings for a right-handed service 
and a reverse side having marks indicating correct positionings for a 
left-handed service or an obverse side having marks indicating correct 
positionings for a service into a right service court and a reverse side 
having marks indicating correct positionings for a service into a left 
court. 
Either embodiment may additionally comprise a net for stopping tennis balls 
served into it. A connector may removably attach the indicating means and 
the connecting member. Preferably, the connector is flush with or below 
the surface of the indicating means. 
Other objects, advantages, and novel features, and further scope of 
applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the 
detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying 
drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art 
upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the 
invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and 
attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly 
pointed out in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Best Modes for Carrying out the Invention 
The present invention relates to a tennis training apparatus for training 
the overhead service in tennis. 
Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2 which illustrate the preferred 
embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, reference numeral 10 
generally indicates a tennis training apparatus in accordance with a 
preferred embodiment of the invention. The tennis training apparatus 10 
comprises an indicating means 12 for indicating a target base area 14, a 
positioning means 16 for correct feet placement, a connecting member 18 
for inter-connecting the indicating means 12 and the positioning means 16, 
and joining means 20.1 and 20.2 for joining a tennis ball 22.1 and 22.2 to 
the indicating means 12. 
The indicating means 12 for indicating the target base area 14 is ring 
shaped, the ring 12 having a diameter of 355 mm (14 inches). The ring 12 
is manufactured from a pipe with its ends 24 welded to each other. Spikes 
(not shown) are provided on the ring's surface, which faces the surface of 
the tennis court 26. In this way, the ring 12 is anchored to the surface 
of the tennis court 26. It will be appreciated that the configuration of 
these spikes may vary due to the type of surface on to which the apparatus 
10 is placed. 
The positioning means 16 for correct feet placement comprises an elongate 
member 28 and two pairs of shortened members 30 and 32. The members 30.1, 
30.2, 32.1, and 32.2 are connected to the elongate member 28 by snugly 
fitting each of these members 30.1, 30.2, 32.1, and 32.2 into holes 34.1, 
34.2, 34.3, and 34.4, respectively, which are drilled into one side of the 
elongate member 28. The holes 34.3 and 34.4 are drilled at angles so that 
the members 32.1 and 32.2, when fitted into the holes, are parallel to a 
base line 36 of the tennis court 26 when the apparatus 10 is in use. The 
corresponding holes (shown in dotted lines) are drilled onto the opposite 
side of the elongate member 28 when the apparatus 10 is used by a 
left-hand player. The members 30.1 and 30.2 of the pair 30 are spaced 
apart at a distance 38 along the elongate member 28, as are the members 
32.1 and 32.2 of the pair 32, so that a foot (not shown) may be placed in 
the space 40. To provide a suitable stance while training the service, the 
pairs of shortened members 30 and 32 are spaced apart at a distance 42 
along the elongate member 28. 
The elongate member 28 is a pipe filled with sand (not shown) to weigh it 
down to the surface of the tennis court 26. 
The connecting member 18 inter-connecting the ring 12 and the elongate 
member 28 is connected thereto with pivots 44 and 46. The ring 12 and 
elongate member 28 are thus movable relatively to each other. Adjustment 
of the ring 12 to both sides of the elongate member 28 is thus possible. 
The pivot 46 connecting the ring 12 and connecting member 10 is removable, 
thus allowing the ring 12 to be disconnected from the connecting member 18 
and to be moved towards or away from the elongate member 28. Having 
selected the distance 48 between the elongate member 28 and the ring 12, 
the ring 12 is reconnected to the connecting member 18 by inserting the 
pivot 46 into a hole 50 drilled into the connecting member 18. The pivot 
44 is provided with a fly nut 52 which fastens the connecting member 18 to 
the elongate member 28. 
The tennis ball 22.1 is connected to an elastic cord 20.1, which is 
connected to a metal strip 54 located in the target area 14. The ends 56 
of this metal strip 54 are welded to the ring 12. The cord 20.1 is 
adjustable to the optimum toss height. 
Another cord 20.2 is provided which connects a second tennis ball 22.2 to 
the metal strip 54. This cord is adjustable in such a way to allow the 
tennis ball to be served into the service court and to return the ball to 
the tennis player. 
From the above description, it will be appreciated that the adjustability 
of the tennis training apparatus 10 allows it to be used by either right- 
or left-handed players, even if such a player is quite young. 
In use, the tennis training apparatus 10 is placed on to the surface of the 
tennis court 36, with the ring 12 in front of the base line 36 and the 
elongate member 28 behind the base line 36. The elongate member 28 is 
directed towards the center of the service court and the pair of shortened 
members 32 parallel to the base line 36. The end of the elongate member 
28, which is provided with the fly nut 52, may be placed against the base 
line 36. 
Subsequently, the distance 42 between the members 30.2 and 32.1 of the two 
pairs of shortened members 30 and 32 is set for an initial stance. The 
distance 38 between the members 30.1 and 30.2 of the pair 30 and the 
distance 38 between the members 32.1 and 32.2 of the pair 32 are also set 
to accommodate the tennis player's feet. Subsequently, the distance 48 
along the connecting member 18 is set by removing the pivot 46, moving the 
ring 12 towards or away from the elongate member 28 and inserting the 
pivot 46 into the required hole 50. The application has found an initial 
distance of 254 mm (12 inches) appropriate. The distance 58 between the 
end of the elongate member 28, which is provided with the fly nut 52 and a 
line projected from the point 60 to which the elastic cord 20.1 and 20.2 
is connected, is set by unfastening the fly nut 52 and then adjusting the 
connecting member 18 and ring 12 in the required direction as indicated by 
the Arrows A--A. The fly nut 52 is fastened. The applicant has found this 
distance 58 to vary from 203 mm to 304 (8 to 12 inches). The tennis player 
may adjust the tennis training apparatus 10 accordingly. 
FIG. 3 depicts an alternate embodiment of the invention 100. A tennis 
player stands on plate 102 of, for example, metal or durable plastic which 
comprises a lead foot label 114 and a rear foot label 116. Rear foot label 
116 may show alternate positions for correct rear foot placement, the 
position being chosen by the tennis player based on his or her shoulder 
width. Connecting shaft 104 is connected at one of two positions, for a 
standard service and kick service, respectively, by connector 122 or 
connector 124. Base area indicator 106 is removably attached to connecting 
shaft 104 by connector 120. Preferably, connector 120 when engaged is 
flush with or below the surface of base area indicator 106 to prevent odd 
bounces by balls striking the base area indicator 106. The distance from 
the plate 102 is adjustable according to arm length by a slot 118 provided 
in base area indicator 106 through which it is attached to connecting 
shaft 104. Ball 110 may be removably attached to base area indicator 106 
by elastic 108, as with the embodiment earlier presented. 
For a service into the right court, plate 102 is placed on a tennis court 
such that alignment indicator 134 abuts the service line and is parallel 
to it. To practice a standard flat service, connecting shaft 104 is 
swiveled such that it fits within the outline 126 provided on plate 102. 
To practice a spin serve, outline 128 is employed. For a slice serve, the 
tennis player swivels connecting shaft 104 such that it lies within 
outline 130. To practice a kick serve, the connecting shaft 104 and base 
area indicator 106 are attached to plate 102 at connector 124 such that 
connecting shaft 104 lies within outline 132. 
The components are constructed such that plate 102 may be used with its 
obverse side or flipped over to its reverse side. For example, the observe 
side may be marked for use by a right-handed player serving into the right 
court and the reverse side marked for use by a left-handed player serving 
into the right court. The obverse side may be marked for use by a 
right-handed player serving into the left court and the reverse side for 
use by a left-handed player serving into the left court. The obverse side 
may be marked for use by a right-handed player serving into the right 
court and the reverse side marked for use by a right-handed player serving 
into the left court. The obverse side may be marked for use by a 
left-handed player serving into the right court and the reverse side 
marked for use by a left-handed player serving into the left court. When 
backhand court service markings are used, plate 102 is also aligned by 
alignment indicator 134. 
With either embodiment, or other equivalent embodiments, a net 80 (see FIG. 
2) may be employed, known in the art, of variable size depending on the 
skill of the tennis player and the distance the net is place from him or 
her, to stop balls served, whether or not elastic 20.1 or 20.2 is employed 
in connection with the net. The net can aid both in ball retrieval and in 
preventing a ball connected by an elastic from returning too rapidly to 
the tennis player. 
Although the invention has been described with reference to these preferred 
embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations 
and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those 
skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all 
such modifications and equivalents.