Abstract:
An apparatus for use in training formations in team sports such as soccer or hockey. Players train while connected together by selectable lengths of cord attached to belts or harnesses worn by the players. This encourages the connected players to learn to maintain a desired team shape and distance. The connecting cords preferably have some elasticity, to prevent jerking as the cords tighten responsive to movement of the players. The belts or harnesses also preferably have some elasticity or “give” responsive to pulling on the cords.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/351,491, filed Mar. 26, 2002. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention is related generally to team shape training devices, and more specifically to an apparatus in which players train while connected together by selectable lengths of cord attached to belts or harnesses worn by the players.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Coaches of team sports invariably understand and teach the fundamentals of team shape. The concept of players playing and maintaining team shape is central to the ability of the players to interact with each other to execute defense, offense and transition.  
           [0004]    Team shape is understood to be a fluid formation of the players as they play the ball (or puck, etc.) and/or support one another as their team plays the ball. Team shape requires, in particular, the players to continuously recognize and maintain proper angles and distances between themselves, their teammates and their opponents.  
           [0005]    Coaching publications in the art discuss team shape concepts and drills at length. For example, the publication “Success in Soccer,” on pages 10-17 of the 3/2000 edition, discusses an approach to a “flat 4” defense in soccer. The soccer coach is shown suggestions for drilling defenders to act as a unit to absorb pressure from attacking opponents, and to delay and dispossess individual attacking players, while still maintaining an effective offside trap.  
           [0006]    Coaches will understand this article to be merely exemplary of one of many similar previously-written articles directed to teaching team shape, not only for soccer, but also for other team sports such as ice hockey, basketball, rugby, etc.  
           [0007]    The well-renowned British soccer coach Don Howe was known to rope players together to assist in his coaching of team shape. Howe&#39;s methods comprised primarily roping players together round their waists with lengths of rope knotted together. While effective, this method had disadvantages. First, it jerked interconnected players rather violently as the rope reached its permitted length between players. Second, it was cumbersome and time consuming in trying and untying the players into a desired playing shape, or changing the shape/adding players during training.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,273, issued to Sela, discloses a device in which two players are interconnected for the purpose of the second player following the first. If the following player fails to “follow” (i.e. gets too far behind the leading player) a special connection breaks in the cord attaching the two players together. The special connection is designed to break quite easily, so as to induce the follower to follow the leader so close as to not allow the interconnecting cord to come into any meaningful tension.  
           [0009]    While technically a “team shape” training device, the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,273 has numerous disadvantages. First, a goal of inducing players to simply follow one another is contrary to most modem team shape concepts. It would be more advantageous to teach players support one another while covering opponents or exploring vacant space. Second, the attainment and maintenance of proper team shape depends on players being encouraged to continually adjust and maintain the correct angle and distance from other players of either team. This objective would be lost if cords interconnecting the players broke every time they came into tension. In fact, tension in the interconnecting cords is advantageous in that the “pull” encourages the players to make an immediate distance and/or angle adjustment while play continues.  
           [0010]    There is therefore a need for a team shape training device that assists coaches in teaching the principles of team shape. The inventive device should, at a minimum, overcome the disadvantages seen in currently known devices and discussed above.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, in which players train while connected together by selectable lengths of cord attached to belts or harnesses worn by the players. The inventive apparatus encourages the connected players to learn to maintain a desired team shape and distance. In one embodiment, the connecting cords have some elasticity, to prevent jerking as the cords tighten responsive to movement of the players. The belts or harnesses also have some elasticity or “give” responsive to pulling on the cords. However, contrary to prior art training devices noted above (in which player connections are designed to become disconnected should interconnecting cords become taut because players fail to follow each other), player connections on the inventive training apparatus are connected rigidly so as not to become disconnected during use. In this way, the players can be trained to play continuously while maintaining the team shape dictated by the selected configuration of cords and belts or harnesses.  
           [0012]    The connection points on the belts may be vertically disposed loops or rings that allow a wide range of horizontal cord angles between players. In another embodiment, the connection points on the belts are slidable around the belts within adjustable limits of motion.  
           [0013]    To facilitate rapid deployment, the belts or harnesses may be secured upon a player using velcro or quick release buckles. The cords are preferably connected to the belts using conventional snap hook mechanisms. The snap hooks connect to the cord ends using a rotatable joint to deter the cords from twisting between players. In one embodiment, the cords are adjustable in length by adding or removing separable lengths of cord. In another embodiment, each cord has on one end, at the point of attachment to a player, a retractable device not unlike a retractable dog leash. The retracting mechanism in the device can be locked at the desired length of cord payed out. The device attaches to the player&#39;s harness so as to provide a vertically disposed hinged arrangement so as to allow the wide range of horizontal cord angles described above.  
           [0014]    Padding on the belt or harness in the areas of the connecting hardware is advantageous to minimize discomfort during use, or minor injury in the event of a fall.  
           [0015]    A technical advantage of the invention is that it is scalable and modular. Any number of players can be connected together into a desired configuration. Each player can be connected to any number of other players within the limits of the connection points provided on a belt.  
           [0016]    A further technical advantage of the invention is that it enhances the comfort of the players during use. In an embodiment where the lengths of cord have some elasticity, and in which the belts and harnesses also have some elasticity, it will be appreciated that the players will be encouraged to retain a team shape during play without having to undergo excessive jerking on the belts and cords when interconnected players move about.  
           [0017]    A further technical advantage of the invention is that the connections between the belts/harnesses and the cords are substantially rigid. In this way, an object of the invention is achieved, namely forcing players to maintain correct relative spacing and configuration (i.e. team shape) during play. The rigid connections between belts/harnesses and cords do not allow the players the option of moving outside the shape dictated by the interconnection of belts/harnesses and cords. This is directly contrary to the teachings of the prior art such as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,273, in which connections between players are fragile and the training object is for connected players to learn to follow each other closely to avoid severing the connection.  
           [0018]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows maybe better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a general arrangement of a belt embodiment of the invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2A is a functional diagram of a belt embodiment of the invention in use;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 2B and 2C are functional diagrams of the invention in use during team shape training;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 3A, 3B and  3 C are further functional diagrams of the invention in use during team shape training;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention using retractable devices  400 ; and  
         [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 5A, 5B and  5 C illustrate embodiments of the invention with slideable attachments between cords  103  and belts  101 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, belt  101  is disposed to fasten around individuals playing a team sport. Belts  101  may be fastened around the individuals using any convenient method known in the art, such as buckles, ties or velcro. It will be understood that harnesses and similar types of “around the body” attachments may also be used instead of belts  101  on FIG. 1.  
         [0027]    With further reference to FIG. 1, belt  101  provides belt connectors  102 . The details of belt connectors  102  in exemplary embodiments will be discussed below. Functionally, however, belt connectors  102  serve as convenient points of attachment of cords  103 , as shown on FIG. 1.  
         [0028]    Cords  103  on FIG. 1 are advantageously of selectable length. In a preferred embodiment, the lengths of cords  103  may be selected by choosing from a selection of different length cords, or by concatenating additional lengths of cord until a selected length is achieved.  
         [0029]    As shown on FIG. 1, cords  103  attach to belt connectors  102  via cord connectors  104 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, belt connectors  102  are rings attached to belt  101  by sewing, and cord connectors  104  are spring operated snap rings, as are well known in the art. The snap rings preferably include rotatable joints near the points of attachment to cords  103 . These rotatable joints discourage cords  103  from becoming twisted. Such rotatable joints included on snap rings are well known in the art.  
         [0030]    These snap ring attachment devices are exemplary only. It will be appreciated that numerous other connection mechanisms will be available to attach cords  103  to belts  101  with equivalent enabling effect. The invention is not limited to any specific connection mechanism attaching cords  103  to belt  101 .  
         [0031]    Further examples of mechanisms enabling cord connectors  104  include “tails” attached to belts  101  by, for example, sewing, with push or twist connectors provided at the end of the tails. The ends of cords  103  are then provided with complementary push or twist connectors to attach to the tails on belts  101 .  
         [0032]    A wide variety of materials are available for belt  101  and cords  103 . Examples for belt  101  include a sewn nylon, or leather, or a tough plastic. Examples for cords  103  include nylon, or plastic or fibrous materials, or even manila rope.  
         [0033]    An advantageous but optional feature of the invention is also shown in FIG. 1. It will be seen on FIG. 1 that cords  103  provide resilient section  105 , preferably near the point of attachment at cord connectors  104 . Similarly, belt  101  provides at least one resilient insert  106 . The function of resilient section  105  and resilient insert  106  is to reduce discomfort to players connected by belts  101  and cords  103  when cords  103  suddenly become tightened as the players move. Either of resilient sections  105  or resilient inserts  106  may be provided, or both. Resilient inserts  106  and resilient sections  105  may be made from an masticated or rubberized material as is known in the art.  
         [0034]    Although not specifically illustrated, it will be appreciated that additional comfort may be provided to players wearing belts  101  via padding on the inside of the belts  101 . Examples of such padding include fleece or foam. In particular, such padding may be placed on the belts  101  at points of contact with sensitive areas of the body, such as the lumbar area. In embodiment where harnesses are used as belts  101 , such padding may also be placed on the shoulders and other points of contact with sensitive areas of the body.  
         [0035]    It will be further appreciated that in embodiment where the lengths of cords  103  connecting belts  101  are selected by concatenating sections of cord together, there may be multiple resilient sections  105  in the overall length of cords  103  (for example, if two or more concatenated cords each provide a resilient section  105 ). In such an embodiment, additional comfort will be understood to be provided for players wearing interconnected belts  101  whenever cords  103  become suddenly taut as the players move.  
         [0036]    Resilient sections  105  in cords  103 , and resilient inserts  106  in belts  101  may be enabled by mechanisms well known in the art. Numerous conventional elastic, elastomeric or rubber-like materials are available for such service.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating functionally an arrangement of players  200  interconnected according to the present invention with belts  101  and cords  103 . In the example of FIG. 2, players  200  are interconnected in a line so that they may be trained according to the “flat back four” defensive system in association football (soccer).  
         [0038]    An example of the training effect of the invention maybe seen in FIGS. 2B and 2C. In FIG. 2B, it will be seen that as attacker A advances, first defender D 1  moves to attacker A and brings remaining defenders D 2 , D 3  and D 4  towards the play while still retaining team shape.  
         [0039]    Similarly in FIG. 2C, it will be seen that defender D 1  advances to meet attacker A, the interconnection with remaining defenders D 2 , D 3  and D 4  cause an advantageous adaptation of team shape to cover both the space in front of the formation and behind defender D 1 .  
         [0040]    It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to interconnecting players in a line as shown on FIGS. 2A, 2B and  2 C. With reference again to FIG. 1, it will be seen that belt connectors  102  may be placed at numerous places around belt  101 . In this way, players may be interconnected in numerous configurations according to particular team shapes that may be desired to be trained. FIGS. 3A, 3B and  3 C are examples of alternative team shapes that may be trained using the invention. It will be seen easily by reference to FIG. 1 how belts  101  and cords  103  may be interconnected to form the team shape training setups shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and  3 C.  
         [0041]    A further optional feature that may be added to cords  103  (again, not illustrated) is to make the cords brightly colored in sections (or entirely) along their length. This is an advantageous feature to assist making cords  103  visible during use.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment where cords  103  are retractable. In FIG. 4, retractable devices  400  attach to belts  101 , and then cords  103  attach to retractable devices  400 . Alternatively, other belts  101  may be interconnected directly to retractable devices  400 . Attachment of retractable devices  400  to belts  101  may be by sewing or other conventional methods. Attachment of cords  103  to retractable devices  400  may be snap fasteners or other conventional methods.  
         [0043]    With further reference to FIG. 4, retractable devices  400  are preferably conventional mechanisms analogous to retractable dog leashes. An interior spring mechanism in retractable device  400  advantageously enables the retractability of a length of cord. In this way, it will be appreciated that, with exemplary reference to training shapes such as are illustrated on FIGS. 2A, 3A,  3 B or  3 C, retractable devices  400  may be used to quickly adjust the selected lengths of cords  103 . Alternatively, if left to be completely retractable during training, retractable devices  400  will be seen to take up “slack” on cords  103  as interconnected players move closer together. Note further that on FIG. 4, the retractable devices  400  are illustrated in a preferred vertical attachment, so as to allow “hinged” motion to facilitate horizontal cord angles between interconnected players.  
         [0044]    Other embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B and  5 C, in which mechanisms are illustrated on belt  101  allowing points of attachment of cords  103  to be slideable around belts  101  (instead of being fixed, as shown on FIGS. 1 and 4). In FIG. 5C, belt  101  provides lengths of C-shaped attachments  501 . It will be seen that bars  502  slide around belt  101  within C-shaped attachments  501 . Loops or rings on bars  502  facilitate attachment to cords  103 . It will be understood that C-shaped attachments  501  may completely encircle belts  101 , or may alternatively allow lateral sliding of cords  103  over partial lengths of belts  101 .  
         [0045]    Turning to FIG. 5B, an alternative embodiment of a slideable mechanism is illustrated. In FIG. 5B, belt  101  provides T-shaped attachments  503 , again optionally either completely encircling belt  101 , or being available over partial lengths thereof. C-shaped hooks  504  slide around belt  101  over T-shaped attachments  503 . As in FIG. 5A, it will be understood on FIG. 5B that loops or rings on C-shaped hooks  504  facilitate attachment to cords  103 .  
         [0046]    With reference now to FIG. 5C, a yet further exemplary sliding mechanism is illustrated in which cords  103  provide rods  506  at the ends. Rods  106  engage into, and slide around C-shaped track  505  shown on FIG. 5C to completely encircle belt  101 . It will be appreciated that C-shaped track  505  may also be provided in partial sections around belt  101 .  
         [0047]    With further reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B and  5 C, it will be understood that embodiments including the exemplary sliding mechanisms illustrated allow greater freedom for interconnected players to rotate relative to one another, while still being constrained to maximum distances apart (as set by the preselected lengths of cords  103 ). Materials that may be used to enable the components  501  through  506  shown on FIGS. 5A, 5B and  5 C include conventional materials such as plastic, metal or fiberglass/composite materials.  
         [0048]    Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.