Abstract:
A footwork grid to train football players to step correctly includes: a first bar; a first tee section on the first bar; a second bar, retained by the first tee section, generally transverse to the first bar; a second tee section on the first bar; a third bar, rotatably retained by the second tee section, generally transverse to the first bar; a third tee section slidably attached to the third bar; a fourth bar retained by the third tee section. The device is adapted to rotate the third bar and slide the third tee section so as to provide a shape for training the user to step.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims benefit of priority from United States Provisional Application No. 61/179,611, filed May 15, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to sports training equipment, and more specifically, to a footwork grid to train football players to step correctly. 
         [0003]    It is difficult to coach football players to take correct steps as blockers and tacklers, as well as in other positions. Their feet are not properly angled and they need to improve footwork precision. Coaches do not recognize that players are stepping incorrectly and players get no visual feedback and therefore don&#39;t correct their mistakes. 
         [0004]    Existing are agility ladders and T-boards. However, neither is adjustable to different angles or individual players, and so are limited as teaching tools. 
         [0005]    As can be seen, there is a need for a device to train football players in the correct stance and first two steps. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one aspect of the present invention, a device for training a user to step includes: a first bar; a first tee section on the first bar; a second bar, retained by the first tee section, generally transverse to the first bar; a second tee section on the first bar; a third bar, rotatably retained by the second tee section, generally transverse to the first bar; a third tee section slidably attached to the third bar; a fourth bar retained by the third tee section; wherein the device is adapted to rotate the third bar and slide the third tee section so as to provide a shape for training the user to step. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method for training a user to step includes: providing a device having a first bar, a second bar connected to the first bar, a third bar rotatably connected to the first bar, and a sliding bar slidably connected to the third bar; positioning a foot of the user utilizing the device; and stepping with the foot utilizing the device to reposition the foot, thereby training the user to step. 
         [0008]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts a front view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts a front view of an embodiment of a hinged tee section according to the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts a front view of an embodiment of a sliding bar section according to the present invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts six example configurations for using an embodiment of the present invention for different football stances and steps. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0014]    Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
         [0015]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides a footwork grid with adjustable angles to train football players at any position to step correctly. 
         [0016]    An embodiment of the invention aligns players to take the correct steps, putting them into the right track and giving them and coaches immediate feedback on their footwork. It is lightweight and portable. 
         [0017]    An embodiment includes a system that teaches multiple footwork angles or gives visual feedback to football coaches and players. It fills that need by allowing coaches to teach and players to learn the proper footwork to execute plays correctly. Embodiments may adjust to players at all levels: professional, collegiate, high school and youth. Embodiments may be lightweight and portable, may set up in seconds, and help allow coaches to be more efficient teachers and makes the most of their practice time. 
         [0018]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the present invention includes a trainer system  10  having a rigid tee section  12  attached to a hinged tee section  14 , with sliding bar sections  16  on the hinge section  14 . Caps  18  retain the slide bar sections  16  on the hinge section  14 . Rigid tee section  12  has an upper horizontal bar  20  connected to a rigid tee  22 . Hinged tee section  14  has two lower bars  24 , each rotatably attached to a double-hinged tee  26 . Rigid tee  22  and double-hinged tee  26  are connected to each other with a vertical bar  28  to form an “H”. Sliding bar sections  16  each have a single-hinged tee  30  rotatably attached to sliding bars  32 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of a hinged tee section  14 . Steel straps  34  provide the hinges to connect double-hinged tee  26  to the two lower bars  24 , and double-hinged tee  26  is attached to vertical bar  28 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of a sliding bar section  16 . A steel strap  34  provides a hinge to connect single-hinged tee  30  to a sliding bar  32 . Single-hinged tee  30  can slide along the lower bar  24 , or can rotate around it to flip the sliding bar  32  from one side to the other. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  depicts six example configurations for using an embodiment  10  for different football stances and steps. 
         [0022]    An embodiment is a device configured as a grid and designed to teach football players to position themselves and step correctly at any position in the game of football. The device is placed flat on an indoor or outdoor surface. The rigid tee section  12  and hinged tee section  14  lie parallel to each other, with their middle bars intersecting to form an H-shaped figure. The hinged tee section  14  has two sections, each of which may be angled laterally up to 90 degrees inward and 135 degrees outward. This allows players to take steps at varying angles. The rigid tee section  12  may comprise lightweight, tubular, durable materials including but not limited to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) piping, metal and plastic. The hinged tee section  14  also may include lightweight, durable materials including but not limited to PVC, CPVC piping, metal and plastic in tubular form, which is hinged with one-inch post screws that are made of anti-rust materials. The horizontal bars are generally transverse to the vertical bar in that they may be perpendicular, or at least at an angle to the vertical bar. 
         [0023]    The sliding bar sections  16 , are made of material similar to rigid tee section  12  and hinged tee section  14 , but are shorter and have the ability to slide along the right and left sections of the hinged tee section  14  or rigid tee section  12 . The sliding bar sections  16  can move laterally up to 100 degrees in each direction, as well as move over in an arc so they can be placed on the inside or outside of the hinged tee axis. The caps  18  fit on the four ends of the longer tees and the two ends of the sliding bars to eliminate the rough edges. The caps may comprise materials including but not limited to CPVC, PVC, metal, plastic or rubber. 
         [0024]    An embodiment includes rigid tee section  12 , hinged tee section  14  and at least one sliding bar section  16 . Other embodiments include additional sliding bar sections  16  to increase the number of drills that can be incorporated. For example, at least two sliding bar sections  16  are needed for drills with two players. The caps  18  are optional but reduce the risk of scraping injuries. 
         [0025]    An embodiment may include additional beneficial features, such as more sliding bar sections  16  to increase drill options. Color-coding the sliding bar sections  16  would allow coaches and players to more easily identify their stepping targets. 
         [0026]    In an embodiment, the rigid tee section  12  and hinged tee section  14  form the long, horizontal sides of the grid. The mid-bars intersect and the width between the long bars can be adjusted from 8 inches minimum to 24 inches maximum for youth and high school; and from 15 inches minimum to 30 inches maximum for college and professional levels. Users can vary the degree of width between the bars depending on the player&#39;s foot size. Varying the angles of hinged tee section  14  toward or away from the midline at different degrees will accommodate the foot placement for several types of steps. 
         [0027]    In an embodiment, one or more sliding bar sections  16  can be added to the grid by removing the cap  18  and sliding it (them) anywhere from the end to the midline of hinged tee section  14  and can be done on one or both sections of hinged tee section  14 . This allows multiple angles to incorporate more advanced steps, including but not limited to “combo” blocks. In other words, two players can use the grid simultaneously. For yet other step variations, one or more sliding bar sections  16  can be attached to rigid tee section  12 , again by removing cap  18  and moving the sliding bar section  16  anywhere from the end to the midline of rigid tee section  12 . 
         [0028]    Following is an example of the process for using an embodiment to perform a basic skill in football: the drive block. Flip the sliding bar sections  16  outward to form the base of the football stance. The player stands between the sliding bar sections  16  with feet parallel or staggered. The hinged tee section  14  can be angled to form the staggered stance. Next, the player steps into the center of the grid, between rigid tee section  12  and hinged tee section  14  to perform the initial two steps of the block. Finally, the player steps over rigid tee section  12  to complete the block and get the feet back to parallel. By adjusting hinged tees and sliding bar sections, virtually every step at any position in football can be performed within the footwork grid. 
         [0029]    An embodiment trains football players to perform steps correctly by adjusting the grid to align their feet and give them a visual target in which to step. The sliding bar is adjusted by the user by sliding it up, down or over hinged tee section to guide the player&#39;s foot position. The rigid hinged tee section and hinged tee section narrow and widen to accommodate the player&#39;s foot size. The hinged tee section and sliding bar work in conjunction to form any stepping angle desired. 
         [0030]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.