Abstract:
A sports training aid includes a sports accessory and a coaching instruction positioned on the accessory in a position where it can be seen by a wearer during normal use of the accessory. In one example the accessory is a football boot and the coaching instruction is provided by an elastic sleeve detachably mounted over the boot.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to sports training aids and to methods of training using such aids. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Both amateur and professional sportsmen of all standards seek to improve their standards and rely on a wide variety of resources, including books, video analysis, and music. Coaches seek to find interesting and entertaining methods of teaching to try to instil ideas in those they are training but often find themselves repeating short messages time after time and even then it proves very difficult to ensure that even short instructions are remembered at the relevant moment during play. 
         [0003]    It is an object of the invention to provide an improved sports training aid and an improved method of training. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to the invention there is provided a sports training aid comprising a sports accessory and a coaching instruction positioned on the accessory in a position where it can be seen by a user during normal use of the accessory. 
         [0005]    Placing a coaching instruction on a sports accessory enables a simple visual message to be conveyed repeatedly to a trainee while they are playing the sport. This can be a very effective way of coaching. 
         [0006]    Where reference is made herein to a “sports training aid” and to a method of “training”, it should be understood that the aid and method may be used in a wide variety of applications including ones that promote learning, assist coaching or training in other ways and in performance of the sports activity, including competitive performance. Thus the sports training aid may, for example, be used by a person training themselves, may be used under the control of a coach to facilitate coaching and/or may be used while performing a sport as a performance enhancer. 
         [0007]    The sports accessory may be an item of sports equipment. For example it may be a bat, for example a baseball or cricket bat, a golf club, a hockey stick, a tennis racket or a racket for another sport, or it may be a ball used in the sport, for example a rugby ball, football, a tennis ball or a golf ball. It should be understood that this list is only exemplary and there are other items of sports equipment to which the invention may be applied. 
         [0008]    Alternatively, the sports accessory may be an article of sports clothing. The article of sports clothing may for example be an article of footwear, for example a football boot or a golf shoe or it may be another article of clothing, for example a long-sleeved top, a short-sleeved or sleeveless top, shorts, an item of protective clothing, for example a cricket pad, a sweat band for the wrist or the head, a hat, or a glove. This list is also only exemplary and there are other items of sports clothing to which the invention may be applied. 
         [0009]    Where reference is made in this specification to football it will be understood that the sport referred to is that which is known in the United Kingdom as football (or sometimes association football or soccer), and in the United States as soccer. Where reference is made to rugby, it will be understood that the sports referred to are those known in the United Kingdom as Rugby Union and Rugby League. 
         [0010]    In some examples of the invention, the training aid comprises only an item of sports equipment carrying a coaching instruction or only an item of sports clothing carrying a coaching instruction, but it is also possible for the training aid to comprise both an item of sports equipment carrying a coaching instruction and an item of sports clothing carrying a coaching instruction. The latter arrangement may provide reinforcement to any coaching instruction. 
         [0011]    The coaching instruction may be placed directly on the article of clothing, but it is also possible for it to be disposed on a separate member that is detachably mounted on the article of clothing. For example, the separate member may be a sleeve. The sleeve may be detachably mounted on a boot and extend over the instep of the boot. Alternatively, the sleeve may be able to be fitted on a trainee&#39;s forearm. For example it may be possible to slip the sleeve over the trainees hand and onto the forearm, which may or may not already be clothed. 
         [0012]    The coaching instruction may provide technical coaching information, which may comprise technical information to aid the learning and/or development of technical skills, and may take any of a wide variety of forms. For example some or all of the instruction may comprise text, for example one or more cue words. It is preferred that there are relatively few words and therefore the coaching instruction preferably comprises one to four words. The coaching instruction may comprise a single word. 
         [0013]    In addition to, or instead of, comprising text, the coaching instruction may comprise one or more images, for example, one or more pictures or diagrams; the pictures or diagrams may depict sporting images. 
         [0014]    The coaching instruction is preferably so positioned on the accessory that it is in the line of sight of a trainee carrying out an action to which the instruction relates. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment of the invention described below a sports training aid comprises an article of clothing comprising a training top including sleeves and coaching instructions carried on the sleeves. In the described embodiment coaching instructions are carried on portions of the sleeves that in normal use cover over a wearer&#39;s forearms. The training top may for example be used when playing football or rugby. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment of the invention described below a sports training aid comprises a cricket bat having a handle and a blade, the blade carrying a coaching instruction positioned on the rear of the blade in an upper region thereof. The instruction preferably covers at least one quarter of the upper half of the rear of the blade, making it very visible to the batsman. 
         [0017]    In yet another embodiment of the invention described below a sports training aid comprises a ball and a coaching instruction positioned on the ball. In one example, the ball is a rugby ball and the coaching instruction comprises images relating to handling of the ball. In another example the ball is a golf ball and carries an image reminding a trainee to keep their eye on the ball. In an example of this kind it is possible for the coaching instruction on the ball to supplement or complement an instruction on an article of clothing. 
         [0018]    According to the invention there is further provided a method of training comprising the following steps: 
         [0019]    providing a sports training aid comprising a sports accessory having a coaching instruction positioned on the accessory; 
         [0020]    playing the sport using the accessory; and 
         [0021]    viewing the coaching instruction while playing the sport. 
         [0022]    Preferably the coaching instruction is viewed repeatedly during playing of the sport. I have found that such repeated viewing provides a very powerful coaching technique. 
         [0023]    The sports training aid employed in the method of the invention may comprise any of the training aids described above. 
         [0024]    It will be appreciated that the sports training aid of the invention and the training method of the invention as described herein are closely related and that therefore essential or preferred features of one may, unless indicated otherwise or clearly inappropriate, be incorporated into the other. Thus, features described above in respect of the sports training aid of the invention may be incorporated into the method of the invention and vice versa. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    By way of example certain embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, of which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1   a  is an isometric view of a football boot viewed from one side and slightly above the boot; 
           [0027]      FIG. 1   b  is an isometric view of the football boot of  FIG. 1   a , viewed from the opposite side to  FIG. 1   a  and from slightly above the boot; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2   a  is a front view of a football training top; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2   b  is a view of a sleeve of the training top of  FIG. 2   a  whilst it is worn by a trainee; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3   a  is a front view of a rugby training top; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3   b  is a front view of another rugby training top; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3   c  is a side view of one side of a rugby ball; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3   d  is a side view of the opposite side of the rugby ball of  FIG. 3   c;    
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is rear view of a cricket bat; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5   a  is a view from the rear of a golf trainee addressing a golf ball; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5   b  is a view seen by the trainee looking down at the ball; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5   c  is a side view of the ball shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  to a larger scale; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a sweat band. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0039]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , there is shown a football boot  1  having studs  2  on a sole  3  and an upper  4 . An elastic sleeve  5  is detachably mounted over the boot  1 , passing under the sole  3 , between the studs  2  and around the instep portion of the upper  2 . 
         [0040]    The sleeve  5  carries the cue word “SHOOT” in two top positions over the instep of the boot. The sleeve  5  also carries the cue word “PASS” on the two opposite sides of the sleeve. By those very simple instructions, the coaching of which part of the boot should be used to kick the ball when shooting or passing is clearly taught. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , there is shown a football training top  10 , comprising a body part  11  and a pair of sleeves  12 A and  12 B. On the parts of the sleeves  12 A and  12 B covering the trainee&#39;s forearms coaching instructions  13 A and  13 B are carried. In the particular example shown, the coaching instruction is the same on each sleeve and comprises the cue words “PASS-MOVE-PASS-MOVE”. As can be seen in  FIG. 2   b , each instruction occupies substantially the whole length of the portion of each of the sleeves  12  that extends from an elbow region to an open end beyond which the trainee&#39;s hand  14  is shown. 
         [0042]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , the training top is designed for football training. It may of course be used in another sport with a different coaching instruction. For example, a training top for rugby may have a top in which each of the coaching instructions  13 A and  13 B comprises the cue words “ATTACK SPACES NOT FACES”. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 3   a , there is shown a rugby training top  20  which has short sleeves and has a coaching instruction  21  on its front and occupying a major part of the upper half of the top  20 . In this particular example, the coaching instruction has an upper part  21 A which is a simple coaching diagram and a lower part  21 B which has the text message “ATTACK SPACES NOT FACES”. As can be seen from  FIG. 3   a  the coaching diagram also teaches the instruction to attack spaces not faces, by showing an arrow passing between players indicated by black dots. In this case the coaching instruction is intended at least as much for others training with the person wearing the top  20  as for the wearer of the top.  FIG. 3   b  shows a short-sleeved top  25  similar to the top  20  but with a different coaching instruction  26 . In this case the coaching instruction comprises a large white circular area on the front of the shirt with the words “PASS ZONE” printed in black within it.  FIGS. 3   c  and  3   d  show opposite sides of a rugby ball  27  which carries coaching instructions about passing. On one side of the ball, shown in  FIG. 3   c  the position of a hand  28 A is shown, together with an arrow  29 A indicating the direction of passing. The opposite side of the ball has a similar hand  28 B shown and an arrow  29 B showing the direction of passing. As will be seen from viewing  FIGS. 3   c  and  3   d , the hands  28 A and  28 B are not directly opposite each other but are offset. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a cricket bat  30  comprising a handle  31  and a blade  32 . On the rear side of an upper portion of the blade there is a coaching instruction  33  in the form of a few cue words of text printed in large letters. In the particular example shown, the words are “FOOT TO PITCH”. In another example the words are “EYE ON THE BALL”. As will be understood, the rear side of a cricket bat is typically of a V-shaped cross-section with the blade  32  reducing in thickness towards its side edges. In the example shown in  FIG. 2  the coaching instruction  33  is centred on the vertical line along the centre of the blade  32  at the position of greatest thickness of the blade. In the example shown the instruction  33  occupies about one half of the length of the blade  32 , that is the top half, and approximately one third of the width of the blade  32 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , there is shown a golf coaching aid being used by a trainee  46 . In this case the coaching aid comprises a pair of sleeves  40 A and  40 B that can be slipped onto, and off, a trainee&#39;s arms and extend approximately from the elbow to the wrist. Each of the sleeves  40 A and  40 B carry a coaching instruction  41 A and  41 B. In this particular example both the instruction on the sleeve  41 A and the instruction on the sleeve  41 B comprise the cue words “EYE ON BALL”. The coaching aid is designed for use with a trainee holding a golf club  42  and hitting a ball  43 .  FIG. 5   c  shows the ball  43  to a larger scale and it can be seen that in the particular example shown the ball  43  is placed on a tee  44 . The ball  43  has an image  45  of an eye (only one half of the image being visible in  FIG. 5   c ). In use the sleeves  40 A and  40 B and the ball  43  are orientated so that, when the trainee  46  addresses the ball to hit it in the usual way, the coaching instructions  41 A and  41 B are close to the line of sight from the trainee&#39;s eyes to the ball  43 . An end portion of that line of sight is shown by the dotted line  47  in  FIG. 5C . In another particular example of the invention, the sleeves  40 A and  40 B both carry the coaching instruction comprising the cue words “EYE ON THE BALL”; in that case, the trainee sees the simple coaching instruction on the sleeves  40 A and  40 B as he prepares to hit the ball and that message is reinforced by the image on the ball itself. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a sweat band  50  for a tennis player to wear on his or her wrist. The sweat band carries a coaching instruction  51  which extends over almost one half of the exterior of the band. In the particular example shown, the coaching instruction comprises the cue words “SWING THROUGH”. In another particular example the instruction comprises the cue words “EYE ON THE BALL”. 
         [0047]    It should be understood that in the description above reference has been made to just some particular sports where the invention may be employed and to just some of the sporting accessories which may carry coaching instructions. Of course it should also be understood that when a particular kind of training aid is described with reference to a particular sport, it may also be used in other sports as appropriate. For example the sleeves  40 A and  40 B may be used in a wide variety of sports as may the sweat band  50 . 
         [0048]    The drawings of the examples of the invention are all shown in black and white, but it should be understood that the articles shown may be of various colours with contrasting colouring where appropriate to highlight coaching instructions. 
         [0049]    Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims.