Abstract:
A training device to aid improving proper form and measuring directional accuracy when performing a training kicking. The device includes a base and a ball holder assembly coupled to the base. The ball holder assembly is configured to receive an attachable ball used for performing simulation kicks. A direction pointer is coupled either the ball holder assembly or the ball and is spaced from a direction template that is used to indicate a relative accuracy of the simulation kick. The device also includes a brake assembly that receives the direction pointer during the training kick to bring the ball holder assembly and the ball to a complete stop.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/782,196, filed on Mar. 14, 2013. The entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a training device for measuring directional accuracy when kicking a ball. 
         [0003]    The two styles of kicking a football are: (1) to use a straight-line approach to the ball, where the kicker, ball and goal posts are in line, as the ball is kicked with the toe; and (2) to use the soccer-style approach, where the player kicks with the instep of his foot. 
         [0004]    Kicking with the toe is generally used in youth football (i.e., eighth grade and below). As kickers progress to high school, college, and beyond, where more training is available, there has been a change to the soccer-style kick. 
         [0005]    To get maximum effect of a soccer-style kick, the approach to the ball is at an angle to a line connecting the ball and the goal posts. To get more power and distance, the kicker tilts his body sideways away from the ball and at the same time twists his body to get more momentum as he follows through with his kicking leg. Since he is kicking the ball with his instep, the ball is typically tilted sideways in the opposite direction in which he tilts his body. 
         [0006]    Training devices for improving kicking are known. Some representative examples are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,435,572, 4,641,834, and 4,516,769. The training devices described in these patents include a moveable part holding a ball or simulated ball, which moves from front to rear, but returns to its starting point, before the kick, without stopping. These devices have no means of showing accuracy or inaccuracy in a practice kicking session. There is no evidence or way of determining if the practice kick would have been on or off target. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The training device as described herein improves proper kicking form by measuring the directional accuracy of a kick. The training device provides immediate feedback to the kicker indicating the direction the ball was kicked, as well as information relating to whether the kick would have been a successful field goal from a particular distance on a football field. The present invention relates to a training aid device used to learn and improve proper form, and measure directional accuracy when kicking to an imaginary target with a football or soccer ball, as well as an exercise device used for strengthening leg muscles. 
         [0008]    The training device can hold a football, soccer ball, or a simulated foam football or soccer ball in a position for kicking. There may be a support rod that can be attached to the device to help the kicker balance himself while standing as he brings his other foot back and kicks the ball. 
         [0009]    The ball holder moves from the front of the device to the rear of the device when kicked. As it travels, it moves in the direction in which the force of the foot directs it except in cross over kicks. When the ball is kicked on the right side, the ball ends up on the left. When the ball is kicked on the left side, the ball ends up on the right side. On a center kick, the ball ends up in the center. 
         [0010]    As the ball moves to the rear, a direction pointer enters the braking mechanism between two brake pads on the rear structure. This slows the ball assembly down as the stop bumper, on the ball holder, impacts the rear structure. A direction template is mounted on the brake pad where the direction pointer enters and stops. By observing the relationship between the direction pointer and direction template, the kicker can determine his success or failure of the accuracy of his kick, and then evaluate the options in his training. The ball is returned to the start position by the kicker. 
         [0011]    The kicking device may also allow the kicker to change the angle of the football from a vertical position to a sideways slanting position. 
         [0012]    One embodiment of the device to perform a practice kick includes a platform where one foot of the kicker remains on the platform while the other foot kicks the ball. This device has a short distance for the ball and ball holder assembly to travel. As a result the kicker&#39;s foot remains on the ball during the practice kick, until it is stopped by a braking mechanism. It can be used by trainees or more advanced kickers to improve their kicking, indoors or outdoors, as they have the opportunity to gauge their practice kicks. 
         [0013]    Another embodiment for a kicking device has a longer travel for the ball and ball holder assembly to travel from front to the rear stop. It can include a platform and one or two walkways to be connected to the platform. The kicker uses a platform and one walkway for a one-step approach to the platform, or two walkways for a two-step approach to the platform. After the approach the kicker sets one foot on the platform and performs a full follow through kick. The longer travel of the ball to the rear of the device allows the kickers foot to leave the ball. This would be a realistic training kick for the kicker to kick a field goal. This device should be used by soccer-style kickers who are trained to kick a soccer ball or a football. It can be used indoors, outdoors, in season or out of season to improve the accuracy of their kicks. 
         [0014]    A third embodiment of a training device to kick a soccer ball could be adapted to train boys and girls in elementary schools, as well as older beginners and experienced kickers. The device is compact and light weight and consists of a guide assembly, with slots, connected to a base board, a ball connected to a direction pointer slides through the slot when kicked, and stops over a template which shows the accuracy of his kick. A second person stands on the back of the board to hold it from moving, and can instruct the kicker about the different soccer kicks and the accuracy of his kicks. He can also stabilize the kicker, if necessary, by holding his hand during the kick. 
         [0015]    Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one construction of a kick training device according to the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front view portion of a front rod frame of the kick training device in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side view portion of a front rod frame of the kick training device in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the kick training device in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the brake pads in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the platform, walkway, and base assembly according to the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a side view of connecting component parts in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a top view of another construction of the platform, walkway, and base assembly according to the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a more detailed top view of a platform, walkway, and base assembly of the  FIG. 8 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a side view of connecting component parts in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the connection between the upright that holds the football and carriage assembly according to the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a view from the rear to the front of the rear frame assembly in  FIG. 15 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a detailed top view of the direction template and direction pointer in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is another detailed top view of the direction template and direction pointer similar to  FIG. 13 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a prospective view of another construction of a kick training device according to the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the spring and locking bracket in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is a side view of a direction pointer similar to the direction pointer in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of another kick training device according to the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 19  is a detailed top view of the device in  FIG. 18 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 20  is a detailed top view of the device with a platform to kick from. 
           [0036]      FIG. 21  is a front view of a damper used with the device of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 22  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 18  with the damper of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a ball holder assembly having straps. 
           [0039]      FIG. 24  is a top view of the ball holder assembly of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 18  having elastic bands. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
         [0042]      FIG. 1  illustrates a kick training device  10  including a base assembly  12 , a brake assembly  14 , a ball holder assembly  16 , and a carriage assembly  65 . For descriptive purpose, the kick training device  10  and all corresponding components generally have a front side  70  and a rear side  71 , as well as a right side  72  and a left side  73 . The ball holder assembly  16  is attached to and generally rides on the carriage assembly  65 , while additionally being supported by the base assembly  12 . The device  10  further includes a guide rod  27 , a direction pointer  17  having a pointed tip  171  ( FIG. 22 ), and a direction template  15 , which will be described in detail below. The direction pointer  17  together with the direction template  15  define a directional accuracy indicator, which, as will be discussed below, indicates to a user the relative accuracy of a training kick after the training kick has been performed on the kick training device  10 . 
         [0043]    The base assembly  12  is generally rectangular and includes two side members  18  with two holding bars  19  attached to the front ends. While the base assembly  12  is illustrated to be generally rectangular, it may also be configured in other orientations. For example, the two side members  18  may be slanted such that the base assembly  12  is more of a triangular shape. The base assembly  12  has a front cross member  20 , a rear cross member  21 , and a base panel  22 , which connect the two side members  18  and stabilize the base assembly  12 . The base panel  22  generally extends from a front end  23  to a rear end  24  while being connect to the two side members  18  by side portions. Further, the brake assembly  14  is connected to the two side members  18  at the rear of the two side members  18 . 
         [0044]    A front rod frame  25  is connected to the front cross member  20 , and a rear rod frame  26  is connected to the rear cross member  21 . The front rod frame  25  has a front a slot  30  and the rear rod frame  26  has a rear slot  31 . The guide rod  27  is received within the slots  30 ,  31  such that the guide rod  27  is free to slide to the left or right when positioned in the slots  30 ,  31 . The width of the two slots  30 ,  31  limits the sideways movement of the guide rod  27  when the ball holder assembly  16  is forced off-center by an off-center kick. 
         [0045]    The guide rod  27  is held in place by a plurality of washers  32  and a plurality of dowel pins  33  to prevent the guide rod  27  from moving from side to side or from front to rear. The washers  32  are located on each side of the front rod frame  25  and are held in place by the dowel pins  33  in the guide rod  27 . The front rod frame  25  also includes a rubber spacer  35  located between the washer  33  and the front rod frame  25  on the front side  70  thereof. 
         [0046]    The ball holder assembly  16  is coupled to a linear bearing  62  and linear bearing tube  28 , which are slidably connected to the guide rod  27  to allow the ball holder assembly  17  to linearly move along the guide rod  27 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a foam soccer ball  64  is flexibly connected to the front side of upright  82 . Two bolts  90  entering from the rear of the upright  82  connect with two nuts embedded in soccer ball  64 . The device  10  may also include ball springs  86  located between the ball  64  and the upright  82 . 
         [0048]    The ball holder assembly  16  includes a urethane foam ball  64  (e.g., soccer ball, football, etc.) that is flexibly connected to the front side  70  of an upright  82 . Two bolts  90  pass through the upright  82  and a set of ball springs  86  to connect with two nuts (not shown) embedded in foam ball  64 . In some embodiments, the ball springs  64  are provided as an optional component of the kick device  10 . 
         [0049]    The ball holder assembly  16  and the carriage assembly  65  are connected to a moveable slide  96 , which extends outward to the right and left sides  72 ,  73  of device  10 . The moveable slide  96  extends beyond and sits on top of two stationary slides  29  that are connected to the side members  18 . A carriage spacer  94  is provided under the moveable slide  96  to lift the moveable slide  96  up to allow it to lay on the stationary slide  21 . 
         [0050]    The top of the stationary slide  29  is slightly higher than the bottom of the moveable slide  96 . As a result, the ball holder assembly  16  and the carriage assembly  65  are lifted up to create a space  106  between the base panel  22  and a set of wheels  88  on the carriage assembly  65 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The moveable slide  96  stabilizes the ball holder assembly  16  and reduces wear and friction when moving over the stationary slide  29 . The stationary slide  29  is approximately 6-8 inches long. 
         [0051]    As the ball holder assembly  16  moves from the front side  70  to the rear side  71  during a training kick, the moveable slide  96  carries the ball holder assembly  16  and the carriage assembly  65  until the stationary slide  29  ends. At that point, the ball holder assembly  16  drops slightly and the wheels  88  connected to carriage bracket  92  engage the base panel  22 . The wheels  88  allow the holder assembly  16  to continually move rearward after the impact of the training kick. The carriage bracket  92  and the attached linear bearing  62  follow the guide rod  27  as the ball holder assembly moves rearward toward the brake assembly  14  of the training device  10 . 
         [0052]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a rear structure  13  is connected to the two side members  18 . An upper rear cross member  50  is also coupled to a top side of the rear structure  13 . The brake assembly  14  includes a brake base  48  attached to the upper rear cross member  50  having a bottom brake pad  52 . During normal use of the kicking device  10 , the bottom brake pad  52  is stationary and does not move. An upper brake pad  54  is positioned above the bottom brake pad  52  and held in place horizontally by two spring bolts  56  having a space therebetween. The brake pads  52 ,  54  are separated by a spacer  58  located on the two spring bolts  56  and between the two brake pads  52 ,  54  to create a brake pad opening  61  ( FIG. 5 ). The opening  61  allows for the insertion of the direction pointer  17  as the ball holder assembly  16  moves from the front side  70  to the rear side  71  in order to slow or stop the ball holder assembly. The upper brake pad  54  moves up and down, vertically, in reaction to pressure applied by the direction pointer  17 . 
         [0053]    As the direction pointer  17  moves into the brake assembly  14 , it comes in contact with the brake pads  52 ,  54 , which puts increasing pressure on the direction pointer  17  as it moves further into the brake assembly  14 . The direction pointer  17  may have a bevel  55  at an end entering the brake assembly  14  ( FIG. 17 ) to help guide the direction pointer  17  into the brake assembly  14 . Also, the bevel  55  on the direction pointer  17  allows the direction pointer  17  to increase in thickness, which would create more pressure on the direction pointer  17  as it travels further into the brake assembly  14 . As the upper brake pad  54  comes into contact with the bevel  55 , the upper brake pad  54  tilts to meet the entire surface of the direction pointer  17 . As the direction pointer  17  travels into the brake assembly  14 , the upper brake pad  54  is continually lifted and a downward force is generated by a brake spring  60 . 
         [0054]    The pressure generated by the brake pads  52 ,  54  as the direction pointer  17  is inserted into the opening  61  may be changed by tightening or loosening a thumb nut  57 . The thumb nut  57  increases pressure on the brake spring  60  as it is screwed down and lessens pressure when screwed up. The distance traveled by the direction pointer  17  as it enters the brake assembly  14  depends upon the speed of the ball holder  16  and the pressure applied on the direction pointer  17  by the two brake pads  52 ,  54 , as varied by the thumb nut  57 . 
         [0055]    The kicking device  10  further includes a bumper stop  84  positioned to hit the upper rear cross member  50  in the event that the brake assembly  14  does not completely stop the ball carrier  16 . At this point, an indicator line or direction line  98  on the direction pointer  17  is located under the direction template  15 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . Alternatively, the direction line  98  on the direction pointer  17  may be configured to be over the direction template  15 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . In the examples illustrated, the direction line  98  is located between two twenty yard line designators  110  on each side of “0” on the template  15 . This indicates to a user, that if a ball was kicked from the twenty yard line, it would be a successful field goal. If the direction pointer  17  was located outside the twenty yard line designators  110 , it would have been an unsuccessful field goal attempt. 
         [0056]    A brake release  53  in  FIG. 5  illustrates how the user or kicker can release the pressure of the brake pads ( 52 ,  54 ) on the direction pointer  17 , and move the ball holder  16  to the starting position (i.e., the front side  70 ). By pushing the brake release  53  at the top of the cross bar  48  towards the backside  71 , the brake release  53  will rotate on the two brake release brackets  51  connected to the brake base  48 . The ends of the brake release  53  are formed to be loosely connected to the upper brake pad  54 , and when properly placed in the two holes  49  on each side of the upper brake pad  54 , will also rotate to the upside pulling the upper brake pad  54  up. With one hand on the brake release relieving pressure on the direction pointer  17 , and with the other hand the kicker can return the ball  64  and ball holder  16  back to the start position (i.e., the front side) for the next kick. Note that the spring bolt  56  and the brake spring are not shown in this drawing. 
         [0057]      FIG. 11  shows a silhouette of a foam football  112  assembled to the ball holder assembly  16 , which may be used in place of the soccer ball  64 . The foam football  112  is positioned with the top slanted to the right side  72  for a right footed kicker, when kicking soccer style. When the football  112  is kicked, the impact of the instep of the kicker&#39;s foot should target a center point  143 , which is approximately four to five inches above the bottom of the ball  112  and centered between the left and right sides of the upright  82 . 
         [0058]    The football  112  is attached to the ball holder assembly  16  using a plurality of bolts. A bolt  132  is fed through a slot  130  and the locking bracket  136 . A line drawn through the bolt  136  and the center point  143  locates a lower left bolt hole  127  to the left of a lower center bolt hole  128  for right footed kickers. For left footed kickers, the ball  112  is tilted in the opposite direction, and the line drawn through the bolt  132  and the center point  143  locates a lower right bolt hole  129 . 
         [0059]    Two embedded nuts in the football  112  are located on a line connecting two end tips  131  of ball  112 . The embedded nuts are the same distance apart as the bolt holes  127 ,  128 ,  129  and slot  130 , as presented in the upright  82 . When the ball  112  and upright  82  are assembled together, the impact of a centered kick would impact the center point of the ball  112  and the upright  82 . 
         [0060]    The ball position bolt  132  is inserted from the rear through the right side hole of the locking bracket  136  and the slot  130  in the ball holder upright  82  to be screwed into a fastener embedded in the foam football  112 . The ball spring  86  may be located between the upright  82  and the football  112 , as seen with the soccer ball  64 . To keep the ball position bolt  132  from moving within the slot  130 , another locking bolt  134  would be inserted into a second hole, to the left, in locking bracket  136  from the backside  71  through slot  130  and spring  86  and secured with a nut  137 . Another connection is made between the upright  82 , the spring  86  and the football  112  at the lower left bolt hole  127 . A ball position bolt  138  is placed into the hole  127  and into the embedded nut in the football  112 . 
         [0061]    To kick from a centered position the bolt at  127  would be moved to center bolt hole  128  with spring  86  and the bolt  132  would be moved to a centered position in slot  130  with spring  86  and connected with a nut embedded in ball  64 . The locking bracket  136  would be moved to the left  73  and bolt  134  tightened in place with nut  137 . For a left footed kicker, the top of the ball  112  would be slanted to the left by repositioning bolt  132  to the left side  73  with the spring  86 . The locking bracket  136  and bolt  134  would be shifted to the right side  72  of bolt  132  and bolt  134  tightened in place. 
         [0062]    The addition of the ball spring  86  between the ball  112  and upright  82  lessens the impact force and torque imparted by the kick. The spring  86  also decreases the interaction the force has on the upright  82 , the carriage assembly  65 , and the guide rod  27 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 6  illustrates a platform assembly  34  that sits on top of a portion of the base assembly  12 . Additionally, a walkway assembly  39  may be connected to the platform assembly  34 . When performing a kick, the device  10  is placed on a flat hard surface or floor. A platform board  36  is positioned at the front of the base assembly  12  and is lowered so that a plurality of interlock blocks  38  attached to the underside of the platform board  36  surround the holding bars  19  located on base assembly  12 . The device  10  and the platform assembly  34  are held together without fasteners and can be easily lifted off. 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , platform feet or lifters  40  and walkway feet or lifters  42  are attached to the underside of the platform board  36  and a walkway board  41  to raise the bottom of the platform board  36  and the walkway board  41  to the same level. The boards  36 ,  41  rest above the top of the base assembly  12 . After the platform assembly  34  is in place, the walkway assembly  39  is lowered into place so that a walkway interlock  46  drops into a holding block  44  that holds the platform  34  and walkway  39  together. Holding block  44  has the same height as the platform lifter  40  and walkway lifter  42 . 
         [0065]    In another embodiment, a round platform assembly  66  including a round platform edge  68  may be used. Platform lifters  40  and a round holding block  76  are attached to the underside of the round platform board  67 .  FIG. 9  shows a round walkway assembly  69  including a round walkway board  78  with a round walkway edge  74 . The walkway lifters  42  and a round walkway interlock  80  are attached to the underside of the walkway board  78 . The height of the platform lifters  40 , the walkway lifters  42 , and the round holding blocks  76  are approximately the same. 
         [0066]    The round platform board  67  is placed on top of the base assembly  12  of the device  10  with the same interlocking relationship as illustrated between the base assembly  12  and the platform board  36  of the embodiment in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 8  illustrates that the round walkway assembly  69  may be slidably connected, such that it may be moved to any other position along the round holding block  76  to satisfy the user&#39;s kick preferences. Additionally, the walkway assembly  39  may be attached to the round walkway assembly  69  with the same connection as illustrated in  FIG. 7  to provide additional space for movement of the user. Further, the platform assemblies  34 ,  66  and the walkway assemblies  39 ,  69  can be easily removed from the kick training device  10  for storage. 
         [0067]      FIG. 15  illustrates another embodiment of the kick training device  10  having a guide bar  114  instead of the guide rod  27 . Certain features or elements of the illustrated embodiment are similar to certain feature or elements described in the previous embodiment, the description of which is hereby included by reference. The guide bar  114  has a rectangular cross section and is fixedly connected to the upright  82  and moves with the upright  82  when the ball is kicked. In the illustrated embodiment, the carriage assembly  65  and the linear bearing  62  are not needed and are therefore removed. 
         [0068]    A front bar frame  123  can be a one-piece molded plastic or urethane part and is attached to the front cross member  20 . The front bar frame includes a slot  124 , which limits the sliding movement of the guide bar  114 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 15  shows a support rod or handle  139  that is used as a stabilizer for a kicker to hold onto as a kick is performed. The support rod  139  is inserted inside a rear upright  140 . The support rod  139  can be adjusted up and down and held in place with one or more thumb screws  141  mounted on both of the rear uprights  140 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 12  illustrates a rear frame assembly  122 , which limits the movement sideways of the guide bar  114  as it moves with the upright  82  from the front  70  to the rear  71 . A plastic liner  116  is attached to the bottom of a top cross member  120  and to the top of the rear cross member  21  to prevent wear on the top and bottom of guide bar  114  as it slides therebetween. A slot bumper  118  is attached to each side member  18 , between the plastic liners  116 . The slot bumpers  118  reduce the impact between the guide bar  114  and the side member  18  if the guide bar  114  strays away from center. In the illustrated embodiment, the kicker&#39;s foot remains on the ball until travel is stopped by the brake assembly  14  or the bumper  84 . 
         [0071]    Another construction of device  10  is shown in  FIG. 18  with a kick structure  150  pivotally connected to the front end of a baseboard  146  by a hinge  152 . The hinge  152  allows the structure  150  to swing up and indicate to the kicker that the ball was kicked low. A rotational stopper  162  is provided on each side of the structure  150  to limit the rotation of the structure  150  and prevent the structure  150  from moving sideways. A foam bumper  172  is located between the structure  150  and the stopper  162  to lessen the impact from a low kick. 
         [0072]    The device  10  includes a slot base  155  having two slot sides  170 . A rear cross bar  156  is attached to the rear ends of the slot sides  170  to form a rear slot  159  on top of slot base  155 . Similarly, a front cross bar  157  is attached to the front ends of the slot sides  170  to form a front slot  158  on top of slot base  155 . The direction pointer  17  is located within the slots  158 ,  159  such that it may move freely. The slot base  155  can be rectangular with parallel sides or narrower at the front side  70  than the rear side  71 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 18  shows a right footed kicker placing their left foot  168  to the left side  73  of the ball  64  and kicking with their right foot  177 . During a kick, the foot  177  remains in contact with the ball  64  until it is stopped by a bumper stop  160  attached to the front side  70  of structure  150 , to lessen the impact of the kick. A second person holds the kicking device  10  down with their foot  178  on the rear side  71  of the device  10  during the kicking session. Alternatively, or in addition, a weight may also be put on the baseboard  146  to keep the device  10  in place during the kick. In another embodiment, the device  10  may be secured to a level surface. 
         [0074]    As illustrated in  FIG. 21 , the device  10  may include a damper or a brake  182 . The rubber damper  182  is connected to damper bracket  184  by a damper screw  189  and secured by a damper nut  191 . The damper bracket  184  and the rubber damper  182  are moveably connected to rear cross bar  156 . A damper spring  190  may be provided between the damper bracket  184  and the damper nut  191 . The rubber damper  182  is located above the slot base  155  such that the direction pointer  17  may slide between the slot base  155  and the damper  182  as it slides in the rear slot  159 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 20  shows a top view of a centered direction pointer  17  on top of slot base  155  under the front and rear cross bars  157 ,  156 . The direction pointer  17  has a front centering pin  165  and a rear centering pin  166  located on a pre-kick centerline  176  of the direction pointer  17 . A front centering notch  169  is located on the front cross bar  157  and a rear centering notch  167  is located on the rear cross bar  156 . The centering notches  167 ,  169  align with the center pins  165 ,  166 . The rear centering pin  166  is moved into and against the rear centering notch  167 , and the front centering pin  165  moves into and against the front centering notch  169  at the same time, in order to align the ball  64  into a pre-kick center line  176  in preparation for a training kick. 
         [0076]      FIG. 20  shows a right cross line  187  to the right of direction pointer  17  and a left cross line  186  to the left of direction pointer  17 . Both cross lines  186 ,  187  are parallel to the centerline  176  of direction pointer  176  and can be seen when the direction pointer  17  is centered. The cross lines  186 ,  187  help to determine if a cross over kick occurs, as indicated by an arrow  188  ( FIG. 22 ). An on-center kick, represented by arrow  173 , will end with the direction pointer  17  engaging the rubber damper  182  at the centerline  176  and at the approximate center of a direction template  153 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 19  illustrates the result of an off-center kick, indicated by an arrow  174 . As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the kick is made on the right side of the soccer ball  64  and parallel to center line  176 . The ball  64  moves toward the left side  73  along with the direction pointer  17 .  FIG. 19  illustrates the direction pointer  17  pointing between the “0” and the “1” on the direction template  153 . The direction template  153  illustrated in  FIG. 19  has markings ranging from 0 to 3. After a kick, if the direction pointer  17  points near the 3, a generally straight kick has occurred. The markings of the illustrated embodiment have no significance relating to a particular on field kick other than a relative accuracy, as described above. 
         [0078]      FIG. 22  shows the result of a cross-over kick  188  for a right footed kicker where the kick force  188  is at an angle with respect to the centerline  176  and at a distance to the right of the centerline  176 . The cross-over force  188  initially moves the foam soccer ball  64  and direction pointer  17  in the direction of the arrow  188 . As the back side of ball  64  impacts the curved bumper stop  160 , the pointed tip  171  of the direction pointer  17  move back toward the right side  72 , while the ball  64  remains on the left side  73  of the left cross line  186  or right cross line. This is illustrated by the cross-over kick tangent line  194  moving to the left of the centerline  176 . Various parameters (e.g., kick angle, the curvature of bumper  160 , etc.) may change the relative position of the direction pointer  17  and the ball  64  during cross-over kicks. 
         [0079]      FIGS. 23 and 24  illustrate ball holder  206  having a flexible strapping  200 , which may be used to hold a regulation ball  202  (e.g., soccer ball, football, etc.). The ball holder  206  has four supports  208  extending from the ball holder  206 , which are contoured to fit the shape of the ball  202 . On the top side  210 , there is a ball stop  214  extending forwardly to cover the top of ball  202 . 
         [0080]    The flexible strapping  200  is connected to the ball holder  206  on the left side and extends across the front side of an inserted ball  202 . A rigid strap  216  is connected to the top of ball stop  214  and also connected to the flexible strap  200  near a midpoint to keep the flexible strap from moving up. The free end  201  of the flexible strapping  200  is fed through a slot  220  so that the strapping  200  may be pulled tight and fastened using Velcro portions  222 ,  224  on the strapping  200 . The inserted ball  202  is secured in the ball holder  206  by the tightened the flexible strapping  200 . The strapping  200  is easily loosened by disengaging the Velcro portions  222 ,  224 . 
         [0081]    Any of the previous embodiments or constructions of the device  10  may use the ball holder  206  to provide a real ball  202  for kicking. The ball holder  206  can be modified to hold various regulation balls (e.g., soccer ball, football, etc.) by changing the position and contour of the four supports  208  and the position of the ball stop  214 . The ball holder  206  can be mounted by adding holes for mounting bolts, or any other known mounting technique. 
         [0082]    During a typical kick using any of the previous embodiments, a user first sets up the device such that the ball and direction pointer  17  are centered at a front portion of the device. The user may then kick the ball, forcing both the ball and the pointer  17  to move from a start position (i.e., near the front) to a stop position (i.e., near the rear) in reaction to the force of the kick. As the ball and pointer  17  move from the front to the rear, the motion of the ball and the pointer  17  is slowed or stopped by various damping, braking, or bumper elements. After the pointer  17  and the ball come to rest, the relative position of the direction pointer  17  with respect to the direction template  153  is used to determine the accuracy and type of kick performed. The user may then re-set the device such that the ball and pointer  17  are centered for another kick. 
         [0083]    Alternatively, the device may include one or more elastic bands  161  to automatically re-set the device for another kick ( FIG. 25 ). The elastic bands  161  are attached with one end to the front centering pin  165  and to stationary pins  164  with the other. The user may also use the rear centering pin  166  and middle stationary pins  154  for securing the elastic bands  161 . When a user kicks the ball and it comes to a stop, the user then looks down at the direction template  153  before removing their foot from the ball  64 . After the user gauges their accuracy, they can remove their foot, allowing the elastic bands  161  to pull the ball  64  and the direction pointer  17  back into the start position. 
         [0084]    During a different kick drill, the ball  64  may be placed against the foam bumper, and the direction pointer  17  would not slide from the front to rear. The pointer  17  may still react to sideways movement caused by off-centered or cross-over kicks, but it may not be as sensitive as when the pointer  17  and the ball move from the front to the rear. The radius and shape of the foam bumper can minimize or maximize the movement of the direction pointer  17  when an off-center kick or cross-over kick is performed. Similar to  FIG. 25 , elastic bands  161  may be used to pull the ball  64  into engagement with the bumper  160  so that the ball stays in position and the user doesn&#39;t have to re-set the ball  64  after each training kick. The kicker can the practice repeated kicks while standing in place to maintain and improve locking his knee and ankle, or some other techniques. 
         [0085]    Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.